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Understanding Spin in Politics: How It Shapes Perception and Disguises Reality

This piece explores the concept of "spin" in political discourse, highlighting how it redirects public perception of issues. While appearing to address concerns directly, spin often shifts perspectives from negative to more favorable views without being easily disproven. Examples include various political figures like Charles Robb, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, who employed spin in responses to controversies. The analysis of their statements reveals how spin can obscure the truth and affect public opinion, demonstrating its significance in election campaigns and governance.

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Understanding Spin in Politics: How It Shapes Perception and Disguises Reality

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  1. “SPIN” • AT IT’S BEST, SPIN: • LOOKS LIKE IT IS ADDRESSING AN ISSUE DIRECTLY, BUT ISN’T • REDIRECTS THE WAY OTHERS THINK ABOUT AN ISSUE--E.G., FROM NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE OR JUST LESS NEGATIVE • CANNOT BE FACTUALLY DISPROVED

  2. EXAMPLE OF SPIN • WHEN CHARLES ROBB RAN FOR THE SENATE IN VIRGINIA, HE WAS CHARGED WITH MARITAL INFIDELITY. HE SAID HE HAD NEVER HAD INTERCOURSE AFTER MARRIAGE WITH A WOMAN OTHER THAN HIS WIFE. THIS RESPONSE LEAVES OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR.

  3. PRESIDENTS AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: LIES OR SPIN? • GEORGE BUSH • “READ MY LIPS; NO NEW TAXES.” (LATER HE RAISED TAXES) • “I WAS NOT IN THE LOOP.” (RE: IRAN-CONTRA DISCUSSIONS)

  4. ROSS PEROT • SAID HE FOUNDED EDS WITH $1000. LATER HE SAID THAT WAS THE TEXAS REGISTRATION FEE ONLY • SAID HIS NAVY CAREER WAS CUT SHORT BECAUSE: 1) HE WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER PROFANE LANGUAGE USED BY SAILORS; AND 2) AN OFFICER WANTED HIM TO BEND OR BREAK THE RULES

  5. BILL CLINTON • ON PAST MARIJUANA USE: “I NEVER BROKE THE LAWS OF MY COUNTRY” AND “I NEVER INHALED.” • ON THE GULF WAR: HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THE SENATE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING IT, BUT AGREED WITH THE MINORITY OPINION TO GIVE SANCTIONS MORE TIME AND THE POSITION ADVOCATING A FULL SCALE EMBARGO

  6. “I DID NOT HAVE A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT WOMAN.”

  7. DOLE-CLINTON DEBATES, 1996 • DOLE SAID THE U.S. ECONOMY UNDER CLINTON HAS BEEN “THE WORST ECONOMY IN THE CENTURY.” UNDER CLINTON, THE ANNUAL RATE OF GROWTH WAS 2.7%; IN 1982, THERE WAS A NEGATIVE GROWTH RATE OF 2.1%.

  8. DOLE-CLINTON DEBATES, 1996 • CLINTON CLAIMED HE PUT 100,000 NEW POLICE OFFICERS ON AMERICA’S STREETS. ACTUALLY, ONLY ABOUT 40,000 WERE FUNDED, AND ONLY ABOUT 21,000 OF THEM WERE ACTUALLY ON DUTY

  9. “HONEST” ABE LINCOLN • POSITION STATEMENTS ON SLAVERY & STATES RIGHTS REVEAL WAFFLING & CHANGING

  10. “HONEST” OR “NO SPIN” WALTER MONDALE • AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN 1984, HE SAID HE WOULD RAISE TAXES. HE WAS DEFEATED…SOUNDLY!

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