Senator Calls Out Frank Luntz From Senate Floor

It's not every day that a sitting senator takes to the floor to call out a GOP strategist. But on Wednesday, Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley did just that, whacking messaging guru Frank Luntz for writing a blueprint for demonizing health care reform and Republican officials for dutifully following his lead.

"Now, you may think that I'm raising this document before you, this -- this plan for how to kill health care, and that maybe it doesn't have any bearing on the real debate," said Merkley, a freshmen Democrat, from the floor, waving a thin set of white papers in his right hand. "But it absolutely does. These talking points are being echoed in this very chamber in order to kill health care."

What followed was a point-by-point comparison of Luntz's 28-page memo, distributed to congressional Republicans, to some of recent talking points coming straight from the mouths of GOP leadership. Said the Senator:

Here we go. Frank Luntz's memo, that's his memo on how to kill health care, came out in April. It says - talking point number five - "Health denial care horror stories in Canada and other countires do resonate, but you have to humanize them. You notice we recommend the phrase 'government takeover' rather than 'government run' or 'government control.'" Why? Because government takeover sounds even scarier.

So what did we hear in the chamber from our minority leader just recently? I quote - "Americans are concerned about a government takeover of health care and for good reason." And it goes on. So recognize that that is a point that's coming from a document about how to kill health care, not a responsible debate about the plan we have in front of us.

Merkley's remarks represent a new line of political debate about the reform process. The extent to which Democrats can establish that opposition to greater government involvement in health care is driven by poll-tested talking points, as opposed to legitimate ideological disagreements, could go some ways towards affecting the legislative process.

To be certain, progressive health care advocates also have well-tuned talking points and polling data at their disposal. But the conventional wisdom going into the upcoming reform battle has held that the Clinton-era effort at an overhaul was, in part, derailed by massive and correlated effort between private industry actors and sympathetic Republicans.

There is little public appetite for that happening again. Hence the benefits in putting Luntz at the center of the debate.

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Comments

[gallimaufry03]

Yeah, I agree that Merkley did well in calling out Luntz and talking points in general. Call a spade a spade ferchrissakes!

What's more, I'm tired of wimpy Democrats. There's a huge difference between "bi-partisanship" (which I support so long as the end product has some merit and meat) and cratering. We've spent a lot of years being diplomatic.

Now let's get some young turks in there that can kick 4ss for good causes!

[keepemhonest]

Frank Luntz Fox News Commentato­r/Pollster BUSTED!

[ebanks84]

He's always been a sheister who can manipulate people into saying whatever he wants them to say. His polls are NEVER genuine.

[freelyb]

What a great guy. He just guaranteed his political career. Lukewarm, industry-spoiled Democratic reps, take friggin note.

[olmossy]

Your Right, he's a keeper. We should All Email him and tell him we'll support him, If he ever goes for Bigger things. At the very least how much we appreciate someone who is a "stand up guy".

[loax]

Good for Merkley! The Republican Party needs to be called out EVERY TIME they try to use Fear Tactics to try and stop change. They are only concerned about keeping the big Insurance companies that financially support them dominate the health care system, and to hell with the people who are suffering under these staggering costs! CALL THEM OUT EACH AND EVERY TIME!!!!

[urweatherman]

Its too bad that the senator didn't read and pay as close attention to the stimulus bill or the budget bill that he voted for as much as he has to these Luntz talking points!

[Imzadi]

No pleasing some folks...

[jazabelz]

That is a faulty assumption -- seems he takes his responsibility seriously and as opposed to the Republicans who couldn't or wouldn't take the time to read the stimulus bill or budget (sorry they were over one page!), and that is in fact why he voted for both!

[doublels]

I'm from NY but...can I vote in Oregon? Better yet, Chuck & Kristen...­can you please stand up?

[Cookie100]

We're the only state that has VOTE BY MAIL!. When we see people standing in lines we shake our heads, it's absurd.
Took 10 years, you must have a state picture id and provide your home info, which they do check on, but it's worth it.
Urge your state legislature to vote by mail. We get our ballots about 3 weeks in advance, of course they don't start counting until voting day, but they're ready to go.
We know our results before most.
WE KNEW JEFF MERKELY HAD REPLACED GORDON SMITH BY 7pm, Nov 4th! Thank God.

[ebanks84]

Hooray for you guys. I like Merkely and he will make it far with the help of the people :)

[DubiousVoter]

I live in California and I only vote by mail-in ballot. And, yes, we get our ballots 3-4 weeks in advance of the election too.

I guess Oregon isn't the only state that has VOTE BY MAIL!, after all. I think it's just new to Oregon...

[Grunty1]

Its about time someone took the right-wing to task for their mindless parroting!

[olmossy]

Go! Senator Merkley ! Why aren't other Dems jumping on this.
Every time a Republican speaks he should be followed by a Dem. waving this same MEMO and highlighting exactly where the Rep. talking points came from.

[MissingAmerica]

Thank you, Senator Merkley! I knew we did a good thing when we elected you. We Oregonians are proud indeed!

[andrico]

Way to go, Senator Merkley. I live in Oregon and voted for exactly this. Take a lesson, senators. This is how it's done--expose Republican BS for what it is. Elevate the debate.

[Taaif Mehadi]

Good to see someone call out the GOP losers for what they are.....th­ey dont want to do anything to help the american people...o­nly stand in the way as a thorn and yell NOOO!!!!!

[CanuckEast]

As a Canadian, I would suggest that the public, single payer option is the only system that makes social and economic sense.
I live in what is considered a "have not" province. We are a family of four, two adult daughters, my wife and myself. My wife works at the largest regional health-care facility in the province. Our family medical plan (Blue Cross), co-paid by her employer tops off the care provided to all by the system (There is no private system) Our share is approx $30.00 Cdn per month. For this we get semi-private hospital room, $3.00 prescription pay, $1,000 pa dental coverage (90% of bill), $400.00 eye wear, psychological services, physio, holistic etc Our adult children are covered in the family as long as they remain in school, terminating at age 25.
Doctors are self-employed, hospitals are non-profit, drugs are purchased at for-profit pharmacies. The "gatekeeper" is the best judgement of the health care professional. Emergency services are triage-oriented.
Our system faces challenges, largely due to demographics, funding, expensive technology etc. but I'd bet that over 95% of our citizens would endorse the system. By not allowing a second (private) tier in the system, it ensures that the self-interest of the "elite" is advocating for the existing system.
The hospital my wife works at sees over 50,000 patients a year with a full range from splinters to transplants, their billing department consists of 4 people.

[swat68]

My assistant is an American who recently returned to the States after being married to and living in Australia for 4 years. She has seen both sides of the so-called "socialized" health care debate; Australia has a public plan that covers everyone as well was private insurance available for purchase. Between the two plans, she was very, very happy. She is not at all happy with the cost, exclusions, etc. within the US system. It's time that people start to listen to those who have actual experience in these types of plans instead of listening to "talking points" and scare tactics. We need coverage for everyone!

Thank you for providing us with your side of the debate.

[freelyb]

Thanks so much. The Republicans are shamelessly misrepresenting your country.

[sasidechick]

He sort of reminded me of Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) in Mr. Smith goes to Washington.

I think that all senators and congress people should be forced to go to Chambers and watch this movie. I wonder how many would honestly see themselves as Jeff Smith and not Jim Taylor, played by Edward Arnold. 95% of them are Taylor but think they are Smith.

If you have never seen the movie, I suggest you watch it.

[kasv]

TV Commericial - Family dinner - grandparents, kids and grandkids - adults comparing Luntz's talking points (mention him by name and his GOP affiliation) with GOP statements made in Congress. They mention the life expectancy and infant mortality rate comparison to Canada and France and US - (US loses).

You get the picture.

[Imzadi]

Mr. Merkley goes to Washington. Thank you, Senator! Wish we had 58 more like you!

And thank you, Oregon.

[Cookie100]

You're welcome!

[progressivegreg]

I wish we had 99 more like him!