According to Wikipedia talking points arise when “a political think tank will strategize the most effective informational attack on a target topic and launch talking points from media personalities to saturate discourse in order to frame a debate in their favor, standardizing the responses of sympathizers to their unique cause.” I’m sure you have heard the political talking points and phrases constantly coming out of media pundit’s and politician’s mouths in answer to questions.
For example, were you to ask a Republican how to prevent child abuse he would immediately say, “It’s not a revenue problem, it’s a spending problem.”
If you asked a Democrat if he supported cancer research, he would respond that that might gut medicare and social security.
In other words, no matter what you ask them they respond with talking points someone has told them will make their case. They twist and turn but always answer the same way, demonizing their opponents and pompously staking their cause.
I hate talking points and cringe whenever they are used. That is why I can only cheer CNN commentator Don Lemon who decided on Saturday to hold the politicians to a real answer, not to let them use their talking points. Evidently he did this with several guests, but I only saw his conversation with Tea Party darling, Rand Paul. Asking Rep. Paul if he thought the Tea Party had made their point and now was in danger of over reaching, Paul immediately resorted to his talking points about the 14 trillion dollar debt. Lemon interrupted him and tried to get him to actually answer the question attempting to not allow him to rant on with his talking points. It was wonderful to watch. Rand Paul rolled his eyes, he blustered, he squawked that Lemon was interrupting him….but he never answered the question. This was Mr. Lemon’s point. The interchange occurs about halfway through the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy4hKG1A0T8&feature=player_embedded
Watch and join me in tuning out talking points and encouraging more journalists to not allow politicians to use them in answer to any question asked of them. Go, Don Lemon!
Ricki's World View 