Conservative Pollster Frank Luntz: "This Is Not Going To Be A Good Year" For The GOP

Fox News pollster and conservative political consultant Frank Luntz spoke to Princeton University students this afternoon in a talk sponsored by the College Republicans entitled "Liars, Cheats, and Thieves: Does Any Politician Tell the Truth?" After a short introduction by Sen. Bill Frist, the focus-group wizard began with what he does best: polling. He asked the audience whom they supported in the 2008 Presidential election. After a large group of students raised their hands in support of Sen. Barack Obama, Luntz asked them: "What does Barack Obama actually stand for?" After a few seconds of silence, he continued, "that's my point."

Luntz's talk progressed in this vein: alternating between banter with the audience and straight-up political discourse. And though Luntz has been praised for his elevated political rhetoric, the wordsmith was equally comfortable stooping to the pejorative if it meant he could score some laughs at the expense of political figures.

"I knew [Al Gore] wasn't going to run for President because he gained so much weight," Luntz said. "I thought he'd eaten the director Michael Moore."

And about Sen. John McCain — who Luntz called "a classic American hero" — Luntz channeled Leno more than Lincoln when he said, "McCain is so old his social security number is 6. John McCain looks older and older every year and his wife looks younger and younger." Then, turning to Bill Frist, he said, "You're a doctor, can you explain that to me?"

When a student asked Luntz why Huckabee was still in the race, he responded: "If your name was Huckabee, you'd want to do it too! He's seeing America!"

Luntz's critical banter wasn't reserved exclusively for the candidates, though, as he approached the audience members with the same attitude. Pointing to a preppy student sitting on the floor, Luntz announced to the audience: "This guy walks right out of the Brooks Brothers catalog — you must be a college Republican. It's cold as shit out there — wear socks!"

Only a few audience members dared to challenge Luntz, one of whom sheepishly quoted from an interview on NPR in 2007. After calling the student a "cyborg" for his uncanny ability to recall the date and details of the interview, Luntz said, "I don't even remember this interview. I was probably stoned at the time."

But when not playfully cajoling the audience or spouting off canned political jokes, Luntz conveyed disappointment with his own party. The pollster issued a gentle warning to the College Republicans who had dutifully packed the stands, ready for Clinton-bashing. "College Republicans — I'm sorry but this is not going to be a good year for you," Luntz said. "The American people are angry, anxious about the way things are going in this country."

Luntz also discussed his role as a pollster in an election that has become about issues and principles. While candidates are trying to both adhere to their morals and cater to the public, Luntz acknowledges he's walking a fine line. "When it's an issue of life and death, I expect them to have principles and not move because it's going to get them elected," Luntz said, referencing candidates' tendencies towards triangulation based on public opinion polls. "[They] have the responsibility to know where the American people stand, and if they disagree with it, they need to know why."

In the end, though Luntz danced from sound bite to sound bite, he stressed the importance of fostering a forum for open-minded discussion about politics. "We need a really good public discourse," he said. "What we need are informed voters." He praised and criticized both sides of the aisle, and had surprisingly kind words for Senator Obama, whom he lauded for his ability to unite Americans regardless of race, gender and age. "Beg, borrow and steal your way onto the floor for [Obama's] speech at the Democratic National Convention," he advised the students in the audience. "That will be the greatest speech of your lifetime."

Comments

[Highse]

Why should it be a banner year for the GOP? They've had a deceitful, criminal and treasonous Republican president and his administration, buttressed by a gluttonous, pork-barreled republican controlled Congress, who aided this pathetic president with the rape of the US Treasury. Oversaw the outsourcing of jobs for Americans to 3rd world nations to reduce employment costs, aiding in the destruction of the upper and middle-class of this nation. Literally destroyed the economy of this nation. Engaged in an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation, murdering it's despotic leader and creating lawlessness in that nation, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Iraqi citizens and of the American military, who, if lucky to survive, return to this nation unemployed and/or given inadequate medical care. Reduced the entitlements to citizens dependent on medicare and medicaid and cut benefits to the indigent. The aforementioned is some of the reasons why the GOP should not receive a single vote in the upcoming election cycle. Therefore, why should this year be a good year for the GOP?

[ibsteve2u]

"What does Barack Obama actually stand for?" After a few seconds of silence, he continued, "that's my point."?????

Big whup, Mr. Luntz.

Do you remember when George W. Bush was emblazoned with the title of "compassionate conservative"?

That is what GWB presumably stood for - now tell me which one of those he turned out to be?

WHAT? Neither?

I find it far easier to trust Obama to be an American first than I trust any GOP member to put the nation before their own greed.

[richcpl]

It's already a bad year for Frank Luntz's hairpiece.

[longnow]

Like Nader I likes to be nice to whoever has
de power. Nice for my bottom line.

[gcallaghan]

Republicans = Military Failure

[nivek]

The republican party has 22 senators up for re-election in 08,some of which are truly repulsive bastards. This is the best opportunity the democrats have had to dominate in years. I hope the presidential race does not consume the public attention entirely because having a veto proof majority in both houses would allow dems. to put right many of the ills GWB and his gluttonous flock of have wrought upon America. Plus the thought of watching the rabid right twist slowly while awaiting trial,in some cases,and otherwise rendered impotent is something that warms the heart and puts a twinkle in the eye. Take these swindling pond scum to task in November and turn them out!

[jennbeez]

Oh, how I expected the supeonas to roll when we got a (bare) majority in 2006, but maybe it will materialize in 2008 if we give the dems a real majority they can work with.

[castlerider]

I am so enjoying watching the Rethug right get their just desserts after trampling American workers and our Constitution in supporting the idiot who we have been inflicted with as our president and all his ilk who like to think that they are actually honorable peole when it has come to be proven they are corrupt and work more toards self-gain. They don't even have a clue how hard they are going to lose thanks to Mr. Bush, and I'm sure it will be beyond their wildest dreams. After such an incredible drubbing I bet they will be the firsts to want to see him get charged for the crimes he and his leadership have commited. They will not be able to distance themselves far enough.
Luntz knows what side his bread is buttered, is all.

[KarenZipdrive]

Luntz is one of the few GOP pundits who speaks with a degree of objectivity.
If he continues to make sense like he has lately, look to him to pull an Arianna and join us on the other side.

[protagonia]

"Wear socks" says the author.

Would those be wind-socks, Frank?

[bob5701]

Everybody keeps calling the GOP ass holes Pundits when they are best described as WAGS.

[waynesmyer]

GOP: Grand Old Perverts, Good Ole Piss-heads, Grandiose Old Pedophiles, etc
Frankie Luntz is really prescient and almost as smart as Baby Bush! or maybe Annie "He/She" Coulter!

[trubluelefty]

Saw him on Maher but have to watch Faux to catch his other programs. Did get to see Hannity play the 'list Obama accomplishment's moment' and Matthews must have liked it. Voting for Obama and PROUD to say how PROUD I am to be an American!

[BushBites]

Shouldn't Frist be malpractising in Tennessee or something?

[eemr]

Nah. He doesn't need to be in Tennessee. He can provide diagnoses by video, like he did in the Terry Schiavo case ...

[Nooneyouknow]

And you can get cats anywhere...

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

I can see the 2010 Obama Impeachment from a mile away.

[TAC]

"I can see the 2010 Obama Impeachment from a mile away."

Nostradumbass,is that you?

[RealistDem]

Does franks hair come with a chinstrap?

[surfcitysteven]

A bad year for the GOP, dis guy a regler "nostridoomus" he is!

[Issak]

No? Oabma is right of center- that'll do.

[macracan]

It kinda sounds as they are teaching the high road this time around. So I wonder where was Frank Luntz in 2004 when the country re-elected the criminal cartel?