Why aren't the Democrats framing issues. Why are they letting the GOP frame them for them.

[meldroc]

Take the war spending bill. Rove and the GOP have basically dominated the issue through framing. It's "Abandoning the troops" if Congress doesn't pass a spending bill. It's "Removing Presidential flexibility" by including the timeline. When people talk about defunding, they're getting everyone using the phrase "Defunding the troops" when it should be "Defunding the war."

Rove's a master framer, on other issues as well - it's not D&E to save a mother's life, it's "Partial Birth Abortion."

My gripe is that the Democratic party isn't even trying to counter Rove's framing with their own framing. It's like they just give up already.

Why aren't the Democrats fighting the framing that's putting a lingusitic smear on every issue?

[ClassWarrior]

1. They are. It's harder to get our frames out there, tho, without...

...the Corporate Media on our side. Note Sen. Jim Webb's comments yesterday on "Mission Accomplished" and occupation. Exactly the framing Lakoff suggested we use.

NGU.

[splat]

2. Nobody believes that bringing troops home abandons them

It's * that sounds lame. Maybe it's abandoning Iraq, but the average American is so weary of this that they're likely to say "Who cares?"

[Just-plain-Kathy]

3. You're right...Plus, I wish dems would bring to light....

...how bush is holding our troops hostage while he's looking to funnel money to Halliburton.

I wish they'd talk about how (through PNAC and the "axis of evil" rants) bushco warned us they wanted to go into Iran. ....We simply can't give bush another blank check.

[maxrandb]

4. Two Reasons

First: The corporate whore media is controlled by those with the most money, and we know who they tend to vote for.

and

Second: You have to use a bit more of your brain to cut through the BS the corporate whores want you to believe. Repuke talking points are like "potato chips for the brain". They don't require much independent thought, therefore, they are easy to swallow, but the fat content is hazardous to your health.

The majority of the American people support the Democrats on this issue. We are slowly turning the tide. November was a good indication that the American people are tired of the fast food the corporate whore media has shoved down their throats, and are beginning to use more critical thinking.

It's going to take time. Everybody loves potato chips-they're easy to swallow. Democrats are offering American's "garlic infused mashed potatoes". They take a little longer to cook, but are so much more satisfying.

DISCLAIMER: I apologize if this post has exceeded the maximum metaphor limit of DU.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

11. Dems have been dealing with our neo-conservative media for a long time...

...they have to learn to work around it.

They could go on shows like the View, Colbert Report, Daily Show, Oprah, even MSNBC shows would welcome our candidates. ...We have a very small handful of dems who are willing to stick their necks out.

It seems like most dems shy away from making waves.

It's a shame none of them supported Cheney's impeachment.


......Plus, if the DNC started buying air time to get their voices heard, I know people would start pouring money into the DNC.

[paparush]

5. Bush Vetoed Stopping the War

THAT is how they should frame this issue.

Bush voted in favor of more death.

Bush voted in favor of my destruction.

Bush voted in favor of more wasteful spending.

[leftofthedial]

6. the repukes own the media

[ccpup]

7. who's to say the Dems AREN'T

correctly framing the issue? If you trust only what you see on TV, you'd just assume the Dems aren't out there talking about this, framing this, attempting to explain this to the American People at all.

Are we really to fault Pelosi, Reid, et al. for the Media's unwillingness to substantially cover and report accurately on anything they say?

[Johonny]

8. I agree on blaming the media

It's not the Dems fault when the lazy media take talking points and run with them.

[Bitwit1234]

9. Who can make the MSM print a headline the dems have structured

they constantly flip it to the republican read.

[ClassWarrior]

12. It's not just a structured headline, though... It's phrases that...

...become common terminology for a given thing or concept. Thus "Pro Life" is common terminology for anti-abortion.

That's why WE need to do the tough work of making these frames an integral part of the way we communicate. It'd help to have the media's active support, but never underestimate the power of a group of dedicated Progressive activists. And once our frames become common terminology, the media will use them reflexively.

Occupation, not war... escalation, not surge... Iraq Accountability Act, not supplemental spending bill... etc...

NGU.

[LSK]

10. because the White House always carries more weight than Congress

Its just how it goes. Can a Congressman or Senator interrrupt all the networks for a press conference? No.

[ashling]

13. my LTTE

Bush declines to fund the Troops.

The story that ran in this and other papers across this country regarding Bush’s veto of H.R. 1591 neglected to state one simple truth: the bill funded the troops. The bill provided about $90 billion through September for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $5.1 billion for military health care, including veterans' care, $3.1 billion for base closures and $1.7 billion for military construction.

Bush wants to claim that the Democrats are just playing politics by passing anti-war legislation.
He pontificated that, "They've sent their message, and now it's time to put politics behind us and support our troops with the funds.” As if they haven’t already.

I won’t go into all the ways you have failed the troops and this country already. I will just point out a few simple truths:

The truth, Mr. President, is that if the Democrats were sending a message, it was America’s message. You just refuse to hear it.

The truth, Mr. President, is that you had a bill on your desk that funded the troops. Indeed, it appropriated more on their behalf than you requested. You vetoed it.

Mr. President, you can veto a bill … but you can’t veto the truth.

[OHdem10]

14. For some reason, and I say this with respect,

Democrats-- no matter what they are discussing on TV.--
come of as "Clinical " in their answers. At times,
almost monotone. Very detached from subject and
absence of passion.

They will not even quip--GWB just vetoed funding for our
troops. How hard is that.

They must have some mistaken notion this calm detached
demeanor makes them appear above the fray.

If you really want to know, a certain wing of our party
is so pro-war, neocon principles--everyone is afraid\
of saying anything wothwhile. Sorry, I have watched
too long.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

15. I have been making a point of this for years. I would say "defunding Bush's war".

When it comes to abortion, I abhor it here when I see people use Pro-Life, and they should say Anti-Choice.

It's about time that the Dems come to the plate and truly take control.