If you don’t know Frank Luntz by name then you probably know him by his work as the word master of today’s Republican party. Frank is responsible for coming up with all those GOP talking points, like saying “job creators” instead of fat-cats, “government takeover” instead of healthcare reform, or “government waste” instead of Medicare or Social Security. But Frank should have chosen his words better this week when he joked to a crowd of Santorum supporters that he put a “Run, Barack, Run” bumper sticker on the front of his car, suggesting that he would like to run the President over.
Frank Luntz:
“I actually have a ‘Run, Barack, Run’ bumper sticker, but I put it on the front of my car,”
As Raw Story points out:
In some parts of the country, people joke of a fictional racist game where players are awarded “points” for running over minorities.
“Run, N*gger, Run” is a bumper sticker seen in some Southern states. There is also a Skillet Lickers song with that same title.
WATCH (story continues below the video):
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Just to give you an idea of how dangerous and destructive this man is to our political system, here is a taste of Luntz’s “word master” work for the Republican party — a post that Frank wrote himself for the Huffington Post last year titled “The 11 Words for 2011″…
Most of you know me as a wordsmith. [...] I realize that my work is often controversial, and often you like to attack the messenger, but it’s the message that matters.
“Imagine” is still the most powerful word in the English language because it is inspiring, motivating, and has a unique definition for each person. When you want to inspire, imagine is the language vehicle.
“No excuses.” Of all the messages used by America’s business and political elite, no phrase better conveys accountability, responsibility and transparency. This phrase generates immediate respect and appreciation.
“I get it.” This explains not only a complete understanding of the situation but also a willingness to solve or resolve the situation. It’s short, sweet and effective — and too few leaders use it.
“If you remember only one thing…” is the surest way to guarantee that voters will remember the one point that matters most to you. This is essential in complicated situations like the upcoming debt ceiling vote.
“Uncompromising integrity.” Of all the truthiness words, none is as powerful as “integrity,” but in today’s cynical environment, even that’s not enough. People also need to feel that your integrity is absolute.
“The simple truth” comes straight from billionaire businessman Steve Wynn, and it sets the context for a straightforward discussion that might otherwise be confusing or contentious. It’s the perfect phrase to begin and end the budget-deficit-debt debate.
“Believe in better” comes from BSkyB, the satellite television provider owned in part by Rupert Murdoch’s Newscorp empire. Of all the corporate mission statements of the Fortune 100, “believe in better” is the second-most popular — and it applies to politics as well. People don’t want quantity. They want quality.
“Real-time.” This is not a pitch for Bill Maher. Many American were furious that they couldn’t get the details of the health-care legislation in a timely fashion. “Real-time” communicates receiving information at the speed of life.
“You decide.” No, this is not paying homage to Fox News. The lesson of 2010 is that Americans want control of their lives back, and they don’t want Washington or Wall Street making their decisions for them. So add the phrase “you’re in control” and you’ve said exactly what Americans want to hear.
“You deserve.” This comes from DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and it was first employed by him in his highly praised 2006 SOTU response. It tells voters precisely what they should expect from their politicians and their government.
“Let’s get to work” was employed by Florida Governor Rick Scott in his successful campaign. No other end-of-speech rallying cry is more motivational to voters.
Frank Luntz is a “word master” (or ‘wordsmith’ as he says) but it’s not in the positive sense. Luntz perverts our Democracy. He doesn’t do it with the cute and benign phrases above. He does it with the divisive, intolerant, racist and manipulative talking points he spoon feeds to the Republican elite.
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