In an op-ed in the Washington Post, pollster and Fox News fabulist, Frank Luntz, has virtually surrendered in the battle for the hearts and minds of the American voters. His opinion piece lays out what he calls the “Five myths about conservative voters,” and in the process reveals the reality that Americans are more closely aligned with the values of progressives than those of conservatives. And much of this is thanks to the Occupy movement.
The first myth that Luntz seeks to debunk is that “Conservatives care most about the size of government.” It’s clear that Luntz is referring only to conservative voters, rather than to the conservative politicians that represent them in office. The Republican Party is still just as fixated on shrinking government as it has been since the spawn of Ronald Reagan. However, Luntz has discovered that average Americans, even those who identify as conservatives, realize that…
“…it’s not the 1980s anymore. Today, conservatives don’t want a reduced government so much as one that works better and wastes less. […] For conservatives, this debate is less about size than about results, along with a demand that elected officials demonstrate accountability and respect for the taxpayer, regardless of whether they’re spending $1 million or $1 trillion.”
That’s a fairly good summary of what the Occupy movement has been advocating for the past year. And it is an abandonment of the extremist rhetoric of conservative icons like Grover Norquist, Sarah Palin, and the Tea Party contingent.
Luntz then moves on to the delicate issue of immigration and denies that “Conservatives want to deport all illegal immigrants.” Once again, he is reporting his research of people, not politicos, and he asserts that they…
“…don’t want to round up all the illegal immigrants and deport them. They believe in the American dream and understand that immigrants built our country. That’s why conservatives embrace legal immigration. A solid majority believe that there should be an eventual path to earned legal status.”
That is the precise policy of Democrats who are sponsoring the DREAM Act to provide a path to residency for undocumented immigrants who came to this country as children and who commit to service in the armed forces or completing a college curriculum. Yet Republicans are fiercely opposed to this plan, that they derisively refer to as amnesty, even though it puts them at odds with their own constituents.
The third “myth” Luntz cites about conservatives is that “They worship Wall Street.” There is no doubt that the Republican hierarchy genuflects at the feet of Goldman Sachs. Mitt Romney has raised more money from Wall Street than any other candidate. And his GOP colleagues in congress are the first place Wall Streeters go to secure their special treatment in the form of legislation and regulation that enhances their prospects for ever greater wealth and power at the expense of 99% of the rest of the population. Luntz, however, observes that most conservatives…
“…agree with moderates and liberals that things on Wall Street have gotten out of hand. They believe that those who abuse the system should be held accountable and that those who work hard and play by the rules should be free to advance.”
Didn’t I hear that in an Obama speech about a hundred times over the past six months?
Number four on the Luntz list is a perennial: “Conservatives want to slash Social Security and Medicare.” It’s worth noting that while Luntz labels these items myths, there is abundant evidence that they are in fact the positions taken by conservative Republicans and have formed the basis of their platform for decades. This one is a good example of that. And it is also another example of where conservatives in Luntz’s research agree with liberals, as Luntz notes…
“70 percent of them oppose cuts to Medicare. They want the program strengthened, not dismantled.”
Finally, Luntz attacks the notion that “Conservatives don’t care about inequality.” The wealth gap has been a primary objective of the Occupy movement. Republican politicians, beginning with multimillionaire Mitt Romney, desperately try to portray this as class warfare. However, when actual people are consulted about their opinions, even right-wing pollsters like Luntz discover that…
“Fully 66 percent of conservatives consider the growing gap between the rich and the poor a ‘problem.’ […] Like all Americans, they are outraged that there hasn’t been a single prosecution by the Obama administration for the corporate abuses that led to the economic meltdown.”
Unfortunately, even with regard to Obama and the Democrats, much of the discussion about this has been no more than lip service and much more needs to be done.
When conservative pundits talk about this country being a center-right nation, they are describing a situation that may be decades out of alignment with reality. The American people consistently side with liberal values in most polls, and now even the research conducted by the right’s most reliable propagandist has published findings that affirm this. And this isn’t the first time Luntz has had to concede ideological defeat. Last December he said this to a select audience at the Republican Governors Association:
“I’m so scared of this anti-Wall Street effort. I’m frightened to death. They’re having an impact on what the American people think of capitalism.”
At that time Luntz advised Republicans to avoid certain words and replace them with others that he had focus-group tested. For instance: “Out: Capitalism / In: Economic Freedom.” When conservative PR flacks tell Republicans not to talk about capitalism, a significant shift is taking place (see this InfoGraphic of the other words that Luntz highlighted).
The bottom line is that the American people fully recognize who their advocates are, and now conservative strategists recognize it as well. Consequently they are spinning furiously to try to avoid losing an even bigger percentage of the populace and a blowout in November. But it’s going to be a difficult sell if the GOP has to persuade voters to support them by advocating policies long-held by Democrats. Luntz knows that and that is why he is frightened to death.
Mark, He isn’t “surrendering” he is CLARIFYING! At first i found your reporting laughable, but the more I read, the more you sicken me. You purposely mislead your readers. You SPIN more shit than a spider and claim it to be the truth. Like I told you before! 2 wrongs don’t make a right…just because you see the spin against your position (which is wrong to) doesn’t mean it entitles you to spin your garbage (flat out lies). You have amazed me with your lack of intelligence in Math (April 26th Article Fox Nation Vs Reality: The Buffett Rule) which i encourage your readers to read and then look at the math (2nd Grade level), English (calling people racist that disagree with you). You represent everything that is wrong with America. You are of the likes of Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O’Rielly. All of you are trash. You spin and spread deceit, discord and care little for the truth which you trample on. This is my last post, since as an intelligent person, i cant over look your blatant lies (spun truth). The main part of your article quoting Luntz is true. But your spin claiming that he admits he is defeated is truly sad. As i said in the first part of this: It is very clear that he is CLARIFYING conceptions about the GOP’s position on things. You just lost one of your 5 followers…
looks like Luntz isn’t the only one scared to death of the public finally catching on.
Daphne…I sure hope you dont reproduce…lord help us…I stand by the truth of the arguments! I dont consider myself conservative or a liberal. But someone who wants to view the truth that both sides offer and make an intelligent opinion from the FACTS provided. Daphne you are blind like may “Zealot Liberals”, ZIf thats all you got from my post. You wouldn’t understand what i trying to say. For you heard blah blah blah blah blah blah Bill O’Rielly. Blah Blah Blah Trample…i think even you get my point now Daphne
Douchebag…had to get that in!!!!!
why is it that conservatives resort to name calling so much?
Out of all that I said, you can only comment about that Sparky? Have you read any other of Marks articles? He has called more names than anyone. But of course you fail to see that. Sparky, you and Mark and those like you remind me of when i was a child. I had just gotten in a fist fight with the neighbor boy because he swore at me. His mother came over and knocked on the door. She proceeded to tell my parents how i beat her son up. At this point, my father said that her son had sworn at me. I walked up to the door right at this point and her son was behind her. As soon as he saw me he started in with a tirade of f bombs and any other choice word you can think of. As this is going on, his mother with a straight face (she was serious) said quote unquote “My Robbie doesnt swear” my mothers mouth went open and my father laughed and closed the door. You sir (Sparky and Mark) are just like that women. Spewing off nonsense when reality says otherwise. Yeah i called Mark a name and he has said worse and more in his average article.
misconception of the GOP’s position….i put conceptions…
One thing I’ve noticed about the right wingers and their ilk, if you start to hit home, they get louder and louder and more outlandish in their attacks on the messenger. “Might makes right” so to speak. The saying “the truth hurts” only seems to hurt those opposed to it.
And for the record, I don’t think you’re anything like rushbo or billo. Just saying.
I agree with the article in that we are far less different in the broad ideas – it’s always how these things are to be accomplished that brings out the real differences. Like the idea of just raising taxes to make up the difference between the budgeted costs and the actual costs. It’s always easier to raise someone elses taxes – now if the middle class would agree to have it’s own taxes raised to pay for these things, then I would probably have less to say in general, but the debate, here specifically, is that someone else should pay, namely the rich. If the people of this country want all of these things listed, then the people need to pay for it – which is the sticking point in general and you know it.
The problem Steve, is that the middle class are complaining and calling for the rich to be taxed more. Its the failures of society. This whole 99% against the 1% is garbage. Its the (roughly)50% (unmotivated, blaming everyone for there circumstance, who does nothing to change there situation other than point to those that work)crying about the 1% (the most wealthy)the 49% are busy working trying to make a living and don’t have the time to sit down and make a mess wherever they go and they sure as hell are crying about the 1%. Americas morals and general outlook have turned from a large majority seeking better things through hard work and perseverance to wanting something for nothing and crying about others success, because they don’t have what others do. These people think it is not fair for them to have minimum wage jobs (if having a job at all). When in truth, there are opportunities for all who seek them. But to be able to take advantage of an opportunity you must has 1) the qualifications (schooling), 2)A positive working attitude, 3)Be punctual to work, 4)Dress and act accordingly, 5) work hard (always). These things were common sense to the older generations that have built America to its greatness. Today there is a prevailing (at least 50%) thought that 1) You are owed something for nothing, 2) Regardless of how you conduct yourself, you should be treated the same as those who do conduct themselves in a civil manner, 3)You are entitled to the same opportunities, benefits and pay as those that have sacrificed to get good grades, work hard, be professional and an asset to there employers, even though you have no education, are lazy, have a bad attitude, and show up to work when you want. This people is the downfall of America as it has been since its beginning. In years to come we will loss our super power status to countries that value intelligence, hard work and sacrifice. So cry all you want about how others have more than you and you deserve better. Ultimately you will drag all of us down with you.
The middle class ISNT not is…damn i do that allot.. its the 50% complaining
This is your fourth comment since promising above to have made your last comment. Just sayin…
Your right, sorry…I will give it a rest. I am kind of passionate about my opinions as you are my friend.
You don’t need to convince me.
Luntz is merely positioning the discussion in more favorable terms for his cause. The Republicans are very effective at staying on message, unlike Democrats. I don’t think he is surrendering, but he is morphing the talking points to overtake those of the Democrats well before they can get a handle on them and use them effectively against the Republicans. Liberals & media started the ‘war on women’ tag line to rally support around them and against the Republicans. Now they are spearheading the ‘war on women’ debate against Dems and are doing a better job at pointing the finger of shame. Luntz realizes that he can usurp the Dems message as his own, use it against them and obfuscate reality just enough to ensure votes.
Of course it always helps if you have a media empire to disperse your rhetoric at your disposal.
Much of what you say is true. However, the fact that Luntz is advising his GOP clients to “usurp the Dems message” is precisely the point I’m making. By doing so they are acknowledging the correctness of the message. The point is that they have come around to the Dem side – and that is de facto surrender. We won the ideological argument and they are admitting it.
Mark, I think most people do want those things (sadly) – they just DON’T want to pay for them. In the end, there needs to be resolution on that little issue. Borrowing as we do to close the gap isn’t going to end well, so exacttly how do you resolve that issue? Needless to say I don’t want to pay any more than I do now – I like to support myself – thank you very much – and if more keeps getting taken away, eventually that won’t be able to happen.
You have a semi valid point Mark, but you mislead at best your readers. Luntz is trying to get the TRUE message of what the GOP says, versus the spun truth. Its just like what you do Mark. You feel you have to inform others of the spun truth that “Zealot” Liberals put out there. My whole problem is that weather you are a liberal or conservative, be honest, both sides have valid arguments.
August, honesty about this stuff isn’t the point of this website – it’s about pushing a liberal agenda while using this media criticism angle to hide that fact. If this was truly about keeping the media honest – that is the whole media – then doing what you note in your last sentence may happen. But after reading this stuff for some time now, it’s clear that being a media watchdog isn’t the goal here – it’s being a conservative media watchdog only – it’s a fraud like so much else we see in politics. Mark likes to call this a truth site – it’s only a liberal truth site. The only goal is to silence all non-liberal media, which is the only truthful media in his opinion. Quite the first amendment guardian he is…ha ha ha. Media matters is the same…a front for a political point of view with the purpose of silencing all non-liberal outlets. These guys are not interested in any competing view – it’s a giant lie.
Your 100% right Steve. Whenever you start to get to the other side of the facts you are labeled a “Racist” (every time) and that’s what really pisses me off the most. Calling me a “Racist” is in my book as bad as spitting in my mothers face and calling her a whore. It also absolves the person calling someone a “racist” of having to prove anything.