06-15-06
Debate
The Pentagon's talking points
The Pentagon offers tips to friendly lawmakers on how best to defend the Iraq
War. MEGAN SCOTT looks into debate preparation in Washington.
The Pentagon has handed its supporters on Capitol Hill some good comebacks
and catchy slogans to counter criticism of the Iraq War.
The Associated Press obtained the Pentagon's 74-page "debate prep book,"
packed with rebuttals to criticism from those who oppose President Bush's war
policies. Word of the book emerged as both houses of Congress discussed the
war's future and the Pentagon announced the U.S. death toll had reached 2,500.
In the manual, the Pentagon suggested lawmakers emphasize that "Iraq will
become a haven for terrorists, murderers and thugs," if the United States leaves
"before the job is done."
"We cannot cut and run," it says at another point, anticipating Democratic calls
for a troop withdrawal on a fixed timetable.
Is this sort of talking-points book unusual? Does a script have any impact?
asap spoke with political science professor Steffen Schmidt from Iowa State
University.
How unusual is it for one branch of the federal government to hand out talking
points to Congress?
Schmidt: Every agency of government, whether it's the Department of
Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency,
wants members of Congress who are their supporters, who are sympathetic to
their cause, to have good information that they can use to explain and justify their
programs and why money is being spent on those programs. Talking points are
not lies. They are not phony information. They are information members of
Congress might not have on the tip of their tongue.
Does congress need help coming up with one-liners?
Schmidt: Talking points work very well because members of Congress are
specialists on certain things, but they are not well informed on many of the
problems Congress has to deal with. A member may be an expert on the
environment or agriculture but may not have a really good grasp of what the
issues are and how to discuss them. So if something comes up in Congress that
is going to be debated, with decisions made where new legislation may be
passed, it's important for the members of Congress who are not experts on a
topic coming up to have information.
Does the other side receive talking points?
Schmidt: Yes. Let's use Defense as an example. The Defense Department has
priorities they have identified. They will provide members of Congress they feel
are supportive with those talking points. Groups that are opposed to Defense
spending often provide other members with talking points from the opposite point
of view. In a way, I think interest groups, organizations and other government
agencies neutralize each other. The more efficient and organized those
Congressional members are, the more likely their message will get into the
debate.
The Pentagon's tip book had catchy phrases and slogans. Is that often the tone?
Schmidt: I think it varies. But if you can have something that sticks in people's
minds, that is sort of memorable, it's better than if it's just statistics. Those are the
things that are often remembered that the media reports. It's not a bad idea to
summarize the points you're trying to make into something that can be
remembered a little more easily. This is really common. Political candidates when
they are campaigning use talking points, so they know they are in Iowa and not in
Idaho.