CNN anchor challenges Frank Luntz for role in right wing anger
CNN's John Roberts challenged GOP pollster Frank Luntz for his role in using "charged language" and fomenting right-wing anger at health care reform.
Heather: This was a typical softball interview from John Roberts where he didn't hit Luntz the way I would have if given the chance to ask him how he feels about selling his soul for a buck and giving the Republicans their talking points on the health care debate. That said, I think Roberts is the first person I've seen in the MSM to actually ask the man if he should feel any responsibility for whipping up the anger at these town halls. You would never see that question asked of Luntz over at ClusterFox that he loves to call home. It's a question that should be asked of him with some real follow up more often.
ROBERTS: From town halls to tea parties, a lot of people across the country are really ticked off. Last week in our special series "Mad as Hell," we looked at the sources and potential solutions for all of that national anger.
Our next guest has advised the Republican Party and other clients on hot-button issues like health care, issues that so many Americans are riled up about. Frank Luntz is a pollster, communications expert and author of the new book, "What Americans Really Want, Really."
Frank joins us now with some new insight on the outrage. Insight on the outrage. Good play on words there. So people in America, are they really angrier than they ever have been?
LUNTZ: They are, 72 percent of Americans define themselves - we took a survey - of 6,400 people. That's five times the typical CNN media poll. Seventy- two percent of Americans are mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore.
ROBERTS: Seventy-two percent.
LUNTZ: And they're mad at politics because they think there's no accountability in Washington. They're mad at business because they think that their employers don't respect them. And they're mad at Hollywood for the coarseness of the culture. So you've got all three things going on at the same time, and they don't find a solution to it.
ROBERTS: Let me quote from your book here because you say, "It's not necessarily what's so important is not necessarily that Americans are mad as hell. What matters more is that they're not going to take it anymore. Americans have hit a tipping point with Washington, and moreover, its political parties."
So we're at this tipping point. What does that mean for the country? You gave us kind of the background of what people are mad at. Why are they add at all of this, and what is this tipping point?
LUNTZ: They feel like the politicians aren't listening to them. And those elected officials who canceled their town hall meetings, boy, did they make a mistake. I wrote this book and I added that extra "Really" to what Americans really want because the definitions of this anger, the elites don't understand.
They think the town halls are an aberration. The people you should be listening to at the town halls are not those who are yelling in the front, it's those that are grumbling in the back because there are tens or hundreds of thousands of people that have come to these town hall meetings that have never participated in politics before. They're going to vote in 2010.
I've offered a lexicon for them to be more effective in this book because in the end, the shouting really doesn't move people. They need to know how to communicate more effectively. And it's not just politics. It's also in the workplace. There are the three rules of how not to get fired. Three things you should not be saying. And I'll make them read the book.
There's even fear for our kids. Two more statistics. Fifty- seven percent of Americans belief that this country will be worse for their children than it was for them. And only 33 percent believe that the next generation will have it better than them.
ROBERTS: A question that I have about all of this anger is how much of it is organic, and how much of it is ginned up by the opposition to try to give democrats a hard time? President Clinton was on "Meet the Press" with David Gregory yesterday and said that the vast right-wing conspiracy in America is still very much alive, maybe not as strong as it was during his time in office, but still extremely virulent.
LUNTZ: He doesn't get it because these are not Republicans who are going to these town halls. These are not Republicans that are angry. More often they're independents that reject both the Republicans and the Democrats. They're dead center politically, and they've had enough of both political parties. That would be point one.
And point two is, until they feel like someone's listening to them and someone cares about them, they're going to remain agitated. And I do believe they'll participate. But just to be angry doesn't solve anything. We're afraid for our children. We're afraid that they're going to get addicted to drugs. That we're afraid that they're going to drink. We're afraid that they'll have bad circumstances in their life. And that's what makes us so nervous.
ROBERTS: You mentioned the town hall meetings during August on the health care debate. That's where we saw the anger in full foment. Now, you wrote a memo to the Republican Party, giving them suggestions on how to oppose the health care plan, suggested that they use phrases like "It's a bailout of the insurance industry," "Washington takeover of the system." And so all of these words were out there. So my question to you, Frank, is did you help contribute to this anger?
LUNTZ: What is the first page of that memo, that you must support health care reform. This is exactly what the American people would say. We need to cover those people who aren't covered.
ROBERTS: But when you use charged language like that, are you not contributing to the anger?
LUNTZ: Because what Americans are asking for is a slow and steady reform of the health care system, not something radical. And the politicians in Washington aren't listening. We believe that our health care system is the best in the globe. And we don't want to change that. And there's language in here - and by the way, you want to know what Americans really want?
ROBERTS: Some people would argue that the delivery of health care in this country is the best in the world but the way that you get to it, through insurance, is certainly not a model for anybody.
LUNTZ: 85 percent of Americans are satisfied with their health care. I think that says a lot.
ROBERTS: But there are a lot of uninsured people in this country.
LUNTZ: That's why I wrote this book because I wanted to correct the misinterpretations. If you want to know if you're the majority or minority, if you want to know what public really, really thinks, this is the place to go.
ROBERTS: The book is called "What Americans Really want, Really" from Frank Luntz. Frank, it's great to see you.
LUNTZ: All right. Great tie.
ROBERTS: Thank you. You too. Good to have an opportunity to have you on this morning.
LUNTZ: Thank you.




John Roberts didn't even begin to challenge Frank Putz. He just tossed him some softballs and helped pump his new book.
CNN = CORPORATE NEWS NETWORK (look it up!)
and how absurd is it for Luntz - or any member of the GOP - to help make the worse mess of this country since the Civil War, and then act self-righteous about the mess we're in - as if he isn't one of the biggest causes.?
WOOHOO! YEAHHH! Our health care is the best! Out of all the other #37s, ours was the BEST #37 in the whole world!
C(l)untz and Darrell Issa (among others) were responsible for pulling Gray Davis down via the recall election and getting their boy Arnie Schwarzenegger installed as Gov. of California (my state). Luntz was all over Orange County (Repugville) focus group clusterfucking and push polling to see what slogans would best help Issa, et al., pull Gray Davis down. Davis was rightfully re-elected to the governorship, but the Repugs can't stand to let an election result they don't like to stand as the peoples' will. The only reason they didn't contest Obama's victory is because it was far to overwhelming for them to get any traction on it. C(l)untz is a piece of it.
"By words the mind is winged." - Aristophanes
I'm not so sure they are ready to give in to Obama's election. The birthers et al, are trying to find some shit to fling at the wall that will stick. I don't think they are finished flinging just yet. Remember with the help of Glenn Beck they already got rid of Van Jones. If they can't get Obama yet, they will go after everyone around him. Beck drew aim on Valerie Jarrett tonight.
This guy Luntz makes my skin crawl. He is one slimy bastard and I wouldn't trust him to take out my garbage.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Luntz is sailing in the same boat as Norquist. These people are evil & really bad for America.
It's not all or nothing.
the Repugs can't stand to let an election result they don't like to stand as the peoples' will
Frank Luntz is an asshole
http://www.akkamsrazor.com/tag/frank-luntz/
Americans are mad as hell. They are so mad Frank, that they want politicians to slow down, not make any radical changes to a health care industry that is increasing premiums while cutting benefits.
Here's an avowed right winger trying to turn populist anger into book sales.
Truly, Frank Luntz is an asshole
What is this "WE BELIEVE" crap? You don't speak for me, nor most of those I know.
See link provided below:
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 15:43 — itrada
From transcript:
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all
It's code for "independent" at a republican dominated town hall meeting.
Make no motto of love that worships war
...the dimwits who he manipulates with his psychological word choice games....
"Ronald Reagan is DEAD! His policies live on but we're doing something about THAT!"
"Because what Americans are asking for is a slow and steady reform of the health care system, not something radical'
Then why did the poll numbers (at least prior to the "ginned-up" town halls) say people were FOR universal coverage???
Luntz is probably proud of his job steering the country away from healthcare reform, but he ought to be ashamed.
Republicans freaks geeks
just look at them
Not up to coping in the modern world.
destined to prove Darwin's theory of natural selection
look at Liz Cheeney for example - freely confirming our deepest fears about the Bushies. While thumbing their noses at the DOJ.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
Who the hell would trust any of his polls when he is writing talking points for the republicans? He's on the take from one side but being a fair pollster for both sides? I don't think so.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Even if it were so, telling us 85% percent of Americans are satisfied with their coverage doesn't mean a damn thing for reform. Ask that same group of people if they would want better coverage for the same price, and you'll get similar, if not higher, results. Reform can do that. And if those 85% of Americans are actually so against drastic reform.. Well, I'm glad government at least has the ability to protect us from the ignorant majority.
It's interesting that everything he mentioned people were fed up about was more or less a result of the Republicans being in charge from 2000-2008. There's no chance they would own that, so they try to act like the problem is this administration. People are pissed because Bush and the Repugs destroyed the economy.
That's the GOP strategy- they know, better than the democratic party knows, that US citizens don't have any tolerance for history.
Make no motto of love that worships war
are what's wrong in America.
"LUNTZ: 85 percent of Americans are satisfied with their health care. I think that says a lot."
Over 40% don't even have insurance and other large percentages are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Admin and Public Employees.
That may leave about 40% for him to draw his conclusion on.
If you need funds to pay for essentials, you have a revenue problem
If you need funds to pay for frivolity, you have a spending problem
Are they satisifed at the cost and the fact that the country is spending twice as much as every other country on the planet? Are they satisfied that healthcare is a drain on the economy and making us less competitive?
I hardly think anyone in this country is satified with healthcare, except those making tons of money in it.
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/2...
Frank would look so right in an orange jumpsuit handcuffed to his buddy KKKarl Rove who would be dressed the same. They could be perp walked together to spend the next few years of their lives in prison together.
Luntz is such an ass. He's sending out memos which gave inbred hillbillies something to yell, yet do not comprehend. Watch the Foxsuckers and they all use the same catch phrases. Saves on the thinking time don't you know. HEEEE HAWWWW HEEEEE HAWWW.
No retreat, no surrender! TV gets NO BETTER!
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
knuckle dragging neanderthals LOL
This guy is just great. The other panelists looked stunned!
How GREAT to be able to come home from work and not need to drink; this was a far better buzz!
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
When Fox News came on to the scene it was so easy to give up all drugs.
Make no motto of love that worships war
As if Bush being elected to 2 terms wasn't enough proof, further proof there are a lot of stupid white people in this country.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/09/3...
Hey! At der ain' troo! What is you a comyounist r somtheen?
Make no motto of love that worships war
Just the mere fact that Luntz helped provide the suggest ways for the far right to impede real debate on health care show that his polls cannot be trusted. If he is upfront about how to impede debate I can only imagine how leading and/or stilted his poll questions were.
The person I'd most like to see having a go at Luntz is Nate Silver (of FiveThirtyEight.com), ie. someone who knows polls and their interpretation inside and out. He would have torn Franky's methods into shreds and left him weeping like a child who just lost his ice cream.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
72%....., are mad as hell at what you republican dickweeds did to the country jackass!
About 20% of them are so stupid though, they can't figure out the people who burned their house's down are the guys with the gas cans and matches (GOP).
What else are you gonna pull out of your fat pasty white ass? Moron! Psychopathic liar!
This little fucktard deserves the presidential suite in hell when his worthless fat-ass expires.
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
...is to offend doggie pickup bags everywhere...
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
Hunter S. Thompson
They're so mad they flock in droves to the coarseness that Hollywood churns out.
You can always tell when neo-cons are up against the wall, they drag out "hollywood" and teh gays, something all their god fearin', church goin', NASCAR lovin', movie goin', bathroom stall tappin' constituency can dig their teeth/gums into.
You can really tell they're trying to raise the bar...
"Total Bar"... Must be Chuck Norris' new GOP fitness machine he's selling. The higher the bar the more calories conservatives burn reaching for their alcoholic beverage.
Make no motto of love that worships war
We know it! The polls are owned by big business. Luntz is a lying sack of shit. Luntz and the republitards have spent there entire energy lying and making a profit off of those that can least afford it. Never ever believe anything luntz or any other republican has to say ever!
republicanism is a mental illness!
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 46 million American citizens, or 18 percent of the population under the age of 65, were without health insurance in 2007. I bet that at least 85% of them are just as UNHAPPY with their lack of health care.
Softball, softball....The stat to absolutely challenge is the 72% - which is firmly contradicted by Obama's
still good poll ratings. And throwing out the "won't take it any more" is just another Frank Luntz created (not original) talk point.
If you're going to challenge, you challenge the premises of the guest.
John would challenge his guests if he had a three hour show instead of his usual fare of soundbite agreements.
Make no motto of love that worships war
LUNTZ: They are, 72 percent of Americans define themselves - we took a survey - of 6,400 people. That's five times the typical CNN media poll. Seventy- two percent of Americans are mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore.
LUNTZ: 85 percent of Americans are satisfied with their health care. I think that says a lot.
Are you just making up #?
FRANK: Yes. But I'm making them up independently.
Make no motto of love that worships war
...a right wing dick licker....he has never challenged any Conservative.
BTW, which one of these Republican dipshits has the worst rug?
John Roberts is nothing more than a tool. Luntz was just hawking his book, we don't need that crap on the news. Could you see Walter Cronkite doing that in is day?
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. ~ Abraham Lincoln
"Challenge" Uh sorry....I didn't see any of Lutz's tripe "challenged".
Did I miss the "challenge" part?
"I can't keep doing this on my own with these...people."
Nope.
Make no motto of love that worships war
Period.
But if anybody asks, he'll say he's an "independent" liar.
Make no motto of love that worships war
He's so full of sh#t. Why in hell does anyone still take this guy seriously? It's out in the open about what he's about, partisan conservative propoganda. Stop talking to him.
THESE ARE NOT INDEPENDENTS LUNTZ. "YOU LIE!!" Their all the sore losers who voted for and defended George W Bush while he destroyed every part of America right before our eyes and they desperately want to try and pin Mr. Bush's disasterous legacy on the new democratic president. "You lie fatass!!!"
Even Frank Luntz's wig is in full revolt!
She's a screaming gay horror show! What a criminal nitwit closet case.
Just another fountain of bullshit and a treasonous saboteur from the right wing nut party . Independent poll , right Loosertz . It's a sign of the times ( not good ) that these assholes get on major network television and and are allowed to spew out their lies and absolute bullshit ! Sickening .
Not very progressive but I would dearly like to knock this doughboy out ! Can I say that ? :)
Gotta figure he's a diabetic.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
But I'm guessing you're an "independent". (wink wink)
Make no motto of love that worships war
Frank Luntz: "These are not Republicans that are angry. More often they're independents that reject both the Republicans and the Democrats.".
Translation: Even Republican spin masters are running away from the Republican party they have created.
Just add a few pounds to Frank's neck, give him some glasses, give him a bald pate and he's the new Karl Rove!
Make no motto of love that worships war
or J.D. Roberts, as those of us in Canada knew him, seems to either have forgotten his 'healthcare enhanced' life back here...or perhaps he was just too young & too busy being a veejay to notice.
.
Luntz never answered the question!
.
Starve the WAR Beast...
... Feed Americans.
offers to his employees.
That squirrel on top of his head was barely twitching, the poor thing!
Roberts didn't challenge Luntz at all, from my perspective, he spent the whole five minutes fellating the vile smirking sonofabidge. Every time I see that sick fuck on teevee I just wanna punch him hard enuf to wipe that smirk off. Maybe we'll get lucky and the scumbag will join his nazi mentor Lee Atwater IN HELL !!!!
"Ronald Reagan is DEAD! His policies live on but we're doing something about THAT!"
"They are, 72 percent of Americans define themselves - we took a survey - of 6,400 people. That's five times the typical CNN media poll. Seventy- two percent of Americans are mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore."
Maybe the 72% reflects that people are mad as hell at the Republican party for standing in the way of healthcare reform and for pulling the country down under Bush.
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