As this dreadful presidential campaign nears the end of its fourth year, do you ever get the feeling you’re watching a rerun you’ve seen many times before?
You know, like the episode of “I Love Lucy” where Lucy is in some silly disguise in an effort to get into show business? Or maybe when the “Three’s Company” landlord misunderstands an overheard conversation, resulting in chaos? Or that time the castaways almost got rescued until Gilligan fouled up the plan? You’ve probably seen those episodes because the shows had the same plot every week.
The leaders of our political parties must have watched those sitcoms, because they’re using the same tactics today. And we’re still falling for it. Many of us loyally tune in to our favorite “anger-tainment” channels for the Daily Talking Points.
Various political types start their day by memorizing these talking points, sent via email. The list of recipients includes top elected officials and the talking-head “experts” and “contributors” who appear on the cable shows. They’re good at shouting above other people, and they just happen to have a book to promote. There’s a good chance you can pay to see them speak at a venue near you. Their promotional material describes them as “frequently seen on” Fox, or MSNBC, or whichever network needs someone to agree with the hosts.
On a particular day, the Daily Talking Points can be seen on various channels and platforms. During the Trump felony trial in New York earlier this year, the terms “two-tiered system of justice,” “weaponization of the FBI,” and “third-world banana republic” were repeated constantly. You may agree or disagree, but my point is very few “expert” observers offered any original thoughts. They were merely repeating what they had been told to say. From the Speaker of the House, to U.S. Senators, and your local member of Congress on his or her Twitter (X) page, they loyally echoed each other. It happens every day, and representatives from both major parties do it.
Some folks are tiring of these rubber-stamp rituals. It may be why Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is getting super-sized attention to match his towering stature. When every other prominent Democrat, from Rep. Nancy Pelosi to actor George Clooney was suggesting that President Biden “pass the torch” (yes, an often repeated talking point) and step down from the race, Fetterman probably printed the e-mail, crushed the paper, and sent it sailing into the nearest trash can.
Fetterman had a differing opinion and was not shy about airing it. He didn’t win this particular battle, but I admired him for not falling in line. Apparently he is an independent thinker, which many find refreshing. But don’t look for “Fetterman’s disease” to spread. It’s much easier and likely more profitable to just parrot the Daily Talking Points.
You can make the best of these remaining weeks by playing the Daily Talking Points game. Watch the morning shout-fests, and you can easily identify the words and phrases you’ll hear for the rest of the day. In recent weeks, the word “weird” was pushed by Democrats to describe Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, the term “stolen valor” was the preferred insult for Republicans to use to attack Tim Walz, and the nickname “Comrade Kamala” was aimed at Vice President Harris after she unveiled her economic plans.
When the morning e-mails are opened, within minutes senators like Lindsey Graham and Chuck Schumer are in search of the nearest TV studio so they can amplify their party’s talking points.
Of course, name calling and exaggerated claims are nothing new in politics. In the 1800s newspaper cartoons, hand-written signs, and campaign songs predated the cable opinion shows of today. At least our ancestors had to use their own creative talents.
This is a very effective practice. Shortly after the talking points are passed along on “Fox and Friends” or “Meet the Press,” you will overhear them at the Hardee’s breakfast table, and see them on your cousin’s Facebook post.
Maybe the campaign masterminds of 2024 should just send the Daily Talking Points to all of us, so the camera-hogging senators and representatives could go to work and do their jobs.
David Carroll is a Chattanooga news anchor, and his new book “I Won’t Be Your Escape Goat” is available on his website, ChattanoogaRadioTV.com. You may contact him at 900 Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405, or at RadioTV2020@yahoo.com
