"You have been lied to."

[Qutzupalotl]

This is a winning strategy to take with someone with mistaken beliefs about Obama.

Insulting those who believe the lies that Obama is a muslim, a terrorist, or a foreigner won't work; they would simply resist anything you say after that. What you want is to show them the light and, if possible, persuade them to vote our way.

So here is a handy phrase to use when you encounter the deluded:
"You have been lied to."

It quickly disarms, since you're not really fighting the person you're talking to; you're fighting those who feed them the lies. You immediately side with them and their interests, in that you care that they know the truth. And it's the perfect opening for you to set them straight.

Remember, they almost cannot be blamed for falling for the lies; after all, Rush, Hannity and O'Reilly all agree! And they're fair and balanced! But once people see the extent of the lies, it makes clear the desperation and paucity of ideas from McCain. And most people don't take kindly to being lied to.

So use it!


—Qutz

[phantom power]

1. I think that's a good approach, however...

the likely response will be something like "no *you* have been lied to, by the liberal media."

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Even that is progress, since they would be reaching out to you.

At least the two of you won't call each other stupid, which gets us nowhere.

Our advantage here is that we have the facts on our side, and ways to prove them. They really don't.

[phantom power]

3. Let me tell you a story about my neighbors...

They are an older couple, nearing (what used to be) retirement. The wife has some fairly significant health issues, which she has thankfully kept under control so far, but every time I wander over and catch up on their news, she has more stories about our fucked-up health system. And she knows better than many, since she also works in health care.

However, whenever I casually mention (for example) the idea of socialized health care, her hackles immediately go up, and she starts going off about how "much worse" it would be under socialized medicine, and how she has good friends in Canada who hate their socialized health care, blah blah blah... Yesterday this woman was blaming poor people and minorities for the credit implosion last week. She is a nearly perfect parrot for every GOP talking point du jour. I bet I could get on Free Republic, and predict what talking points come out of her mouth the next time I talk with her.

These people live in a parallel universe, created for them over the years by Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and friends. It literally does not matter how bad things get, they will continue to be absolutely sure that things would only be worse with liberals in charge.

So, I definitely agree that it solves nothing to antagonize people (and hey, they watch our house when we're on vacation), but agreeing to disagree is not actually reaching out. I'm happy enough to be good neighbors with them, but nothing I say will ever penetrate their world-view.

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Simple and effective. I like it...thank you! n/t

[TornadoTN]

4. Those are the kind of voters we don't need to both with anyway

If they use the "EVIL LIBRUL MEDIA!!!" out, then you can be rest assured you are wasting your time. If someone spouts off the talking points, who say "you have been lied to" and they look confused or amazed that you said it - then you have an opportunity.

I've used it several times and it really works. VERY well.

[Qutzupalotl]

8. I'm interested in your experience with this technique.

Would you care to share details of how the conversations went? I think it would be valuable to anyone canvassing. Thanks!

[renate]

5. k&r because I like that approach

I think most people who are basically intelligent and good, just ill-informed (e.g., FOX viewers who are naive and trusting enough to believe that doctors' offices, etc, wouldn't have FOX News on if it weren't a real news channel) would be open to hearing more after an opening like that--whereas even intelligent and good people can be turned off when their views are attacked directly.

Yours is a very diplomatic approach. :applause:

[BeFree]

6. Two other ways

Someone's been pulling your leg.

And

If you can prove that, the McCain campaign would probably pay you a million bucks.

[Qutzupalotl]

7. Those are both good.

The first is playful, the second is a humorous challenge. They both make people question what they've been told, drawing a bright line between truth and fiction, without belittling the other person. Right on!

[RTFirefly]

10. Since last friday, I would add "McCain seems to disagree with you."

[No Elephants]

11. I have used "You've been lied to" or similar phrases and followed it up with the truth. I have not

been successful with it very often, though. Thing is, the people who swallow the Pub propaganda whole are going to vote Pub, no matter what. But, rather than say that, they throw dumb things that the likes of Limbaugh and Hannity have fed them. It's reason du jour. Muslim, Ayers, Rezko, whatever. But the real reason is, Obama is not a Pub. It's that simple. Knocking down the fake arguments, one at a time, is probably a waste of breath. So it telling the truth about McCain. Unless Obama hits his head and says, "I've seen the light. I've been wrong. Limbaugh is right. I am now a Republican," Obama is not getting their vote. Not bc he is Muslim or a socialist, or an Arab, but because he is a Democrat. Or pro-choice. Take your pick.

[Qutzupalotl]

12. And if they say Obama is pro-abortion, say this:

The Republicans had the Senate, House and White House for over five years. If they wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade, they had plenty of opportunities. But they don't really care about abortion; they just want to keep that carrot in front of you so they can stay in power by manipulating you with it every election.