Frank Luntz. Photo by Larry D. Moore - Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0
By now anyone who watches Fox News for a significant amount of time knows who Frank Luntz is. Luntz is frequently used by a number of Fox News personalities to make their points against President Obama or Democratic proposals.
Luntz is most famous for his "focus groups" which he claims represent a fair representation of the American public. Luntz then polls his focus group instantly using dials which show disapproval or approval of various statements or ads. Usually on Fox News Luntz shows how the audience disapproved of various Democratic themes while approving of Republican or conservative themes.
In addition Luntz is known for shaping language of proposals, questions, or arguments so as to get the answer you desire. For example labeling the inheritance tax the "death tax" helped to shape public opinion against the tax while labeling relaxed emissions standards the "clear skies initiative" helped raise support that policy. As the Daily Show put it Luntz essentially specializes in spraying perfume on dog terds.
Luntz certainly has a right to do his work for the Republican party and Fox News but liberals have had an issue with him being used as a supposedly non-bias pollster in other venues. Media Matters has noted that Luntz was reprimanded by the American Association for Public Opinion Research and censured by the National Council on Polls for his work. In that instance Media Matters was critical of the use of Luntz on PBS to give coverage on the Democratic Presidential Forum in 2007.
In addition some Libertarians have also taken issue with Luntz. In the video clip below supporters of Ron Paul take on Luntz for his treatment of Paul as presidential candidate. The allegations are that Luntz skews and misrepresents data to eliminate people like Paul from serious consideration in Republican primaries.
The reason the Luntz controversy is relevant now is that Luntz is once more starting to be used by mainstream media outlets outside of Fox News. Recently Luntz took part in panel on ABC in which he talked abou Americans being "mad as hell" over the passage of health care reform in the House of Representatives. Yesterday Luntz could be found on CBS to discuss how NFL players and coaches can communicate more effectively. Once again liberals are screaming foul saying Luntz should only be used in such forums if he is appropriately identified as a GOP or Republican pollster.
Comments
Only liberals are allowed on main stream media programs, otherwise it isn't fair and balanced!
we say the truth....
Only liberals are allowed on main stream media programs, otherewise it isn't fair and balanced.
But, according to TaxExemptGod:
liberals are the only ones who tell the truth.
Of course if you look at his blogs, you'll see that he uses sexist, crude, braggaddocious, insulting, and irrelevant remarks to make his political points; instead of sticking to issues or bringing 'truth' to 'light'.
RE:Gigi
O' my God, Palin I didn’t know you read Ryan’s article, it so nice to meet you.. Palin/ Cheney 2012
If a conservative is allowed on Main Stream Television it wouldn't be fair and balanced any more!
RE:Gigi
There on TV all the time, stop trying to be a victim, WOO IS ME...
TEG:
For every one conservative you see on main stream television I'll name 5 liberals. Go!
RE:Gigi
LIAR OR MISINFORMED?
TEG:
I knew you wouldn't name one conservative and let me name 5 liberals who are on main steam television!
P.S. You're not funny!
RE:GIGI
I beg to differ on both parts…
TEG:
If you beg to differ: then name conservatives on main stream television and I'll name 5 liberal for each on you name.
In other words: Put up or shut up.
And about the funny part, it's just my opinion.
RE:Gigi
Sean Hannity was on Seasame Street, that was a hard hitting segment..
The liberals want to have the only voice on the main stream medica.
Otherwise it isn't fair!
RE:Gigi
Sarah, it's that you again? Dont you have a FaceBook rant you let somebody else write and take credit for?
The liberals won't be happy until they have the 'only' voice anywhere! Otherwise it's not fair and balanced!
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