Messages to drill into the public consciousness:
Republicans aren't acting in good faith, and you can't compromise with those not acting in good faith.
The Republican Party knows it can't win fairly and has no interest in election integrity. The Republican Party relies heavily on foreign interference, voter suppression and gerrymandering.
The Republican Party relies heavily on fomenting and exploiting racism, sexism and xenophobia.
The Republican Party relies heavily on projecting onto Democrats what they themselves are doing.
The Republican Party relies heavily on obfuscation and lies, which they pathetically refer to as "alternative facts."
Republicans support legislation that is so horrifyingly inhumane and destructive that writers of horror and satire can't compete.
These messages must be repeated over and over and over again. We must be blunt about that with which we're dealing.
Smash-mouth politics and taking the high road don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Be blunt about right wing ideology, about how the mission is to undermine faith in government and all democratic institutions. Be blunt about how promoting white nationalism and patriarchy is key to that mission.
Be blunt about the tactics that are employed when Republicans spout nonsense, which they do every time they go on the air. If you debate the *what*, you give it credence. Talk openly about the *why*. With enough repetition about tactics such as projection and the Gish gallop, eventually those tactics will be recognized by the public and the *what* will be dismissed as the nonsense that it is. Go on the air and say something like, "Kellyanne is doing what she does best, the Gish gallop. For those who don't know, the Gish gallop is when someone tries to overwhelm the opponent with baseless arguments. In other words, Kellyanne is just throwing as much crap at the wall as she can in hopes that some will stick. When she's ready to leave her alternate reality and debate honestly, we can chat. In the meantime, I'm not going to dignify her pathetic strategy."
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Drill these messages into the public consciousness.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I know the tactic well (older brother 
) but have never had a name for it. That alone is good ammo; thank you!
Someone in the habit of brick-walling a conversation may often swing between these two tactics at will. After a certain amount of time, the best (sometimes only) way to combat this is to pick a point, make or refute that point, and walk away. Not always satisfying, but at least it stops the yammering.
I have finally, finally learned that it often works to quietly state one thing, back it up with facts, and then refuse to continue the debate. It's most easy to do this when confronted with the insulting "Got a link for that?" comeback.
"Yes, I have a link. Google.com, because you are smart enough to look it up for yourself if you don't believe me. I don't need to do your 'homework' for you." This can be a surprisingly effective shaming technique when tossed back at those who really ought to know better than to stoop to "Got a link for that?"
Keep 'em coming!
