GOP attacks plan before it is written

May 8, 10:07 PMTampa Politics ExaminerJim Stillman

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Many commentators have written or remarked that the Republican Party had decided not to introduce or offer alternative programs to those of the Democrats or the Obama Administration.  It intends to expend all of its time, money and energy on repudiating the Administration initiatives.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-900-Tampa-Politics-Examiner~y2009m2d28-The-party-of-NoNo

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-900-Tampa-Politics-Examiner~y2008m12d5-Further-evolution-of-GOP-into-even-worse-condition

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-900-Tampa-Politics-Examiner~y2008m12d4-The-disintegration-of-a-Grand-Old-Party

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-900-Tampa-Politics-Examiner~y2008m10d24-The-paucity-of-ideas

This week that position (or lack thereof) became obvious. In a confidential 26-page memo, Dr. Frank Luntz, a top Republican consultant on the language of politics, is warning the GOP that the American people want health-care reform and that lawmakers need to try to avoid directly opposing President Barack Obama.

 Dr. Luntz’ memo on language is well written and makes many points that would serve the GOP; its direct purpose is telling.  The memo addresses, specifically, language and purposes and consequences of the Bill introduced by the Democrats.  So what’s wrong with that? 

There is no such Bill! 

And when one is drafted, they’re against the wording. Luntz writes acknowledging that the healthcare system is, at least perceived by the public in a crisis mode:

Acknowledge the “crisis” or suffer the consequences. If you say there is no healthcare crisis, you give your listener permission to ignore everything else you say. It is a credibility killer for most Americans. A better approach is to define the crisis in your terms. “If you’re one of the millions who can’t afford healthcare, it is a crisis.

  I would suggest that the GOP had two alternatives.  First, the Republicans could take the initiative and introduce a Bill that would address the acknowledged problems and issues.  Second, at the very least, hold back the nitpicking and critism until there is something to criticize.  Now it is clear that the GOP has no ideas and no proposals.

Dr. Luntz' neno:

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/frank-luntz-the-language-of-healthcare-20091.pdf