: Click or tap on any technique - the definition will be displayed here. that appears in bold to show its definition.
: slogan - a brief, striking phrase that people will remember, which typically acts on emotional appeals. : "Trickle-down government."
: Lehrer echoes Romney's slogan.
: false claim - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue. : Romney's proposed tax cuts make it mathematically impossible to keep taking in the same revenue, even when you also account for growth.[1]
: adding qualifiers - adding an extra word or phrase to a response, which makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression. : Romney denying having a massive tax cut "that adds to the deficit," is not saying he won't have a massive tax cut.
: adding qualifiers - adding an extra word or phrase to a response, which makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression. : Romney denying putting in place a tax cut "that adds to the deficit," is not saying he won't put in place a massive tax cut.
: false claim - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue. : Romney's tax plan will indeed reduce the share paid by high income individuals.[2]
: accuse of lying - reacting to undesirable truths simply with accusations of lies and lying.
: false claim - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue. : Romney's tax plan will indeed raise taxes on middle-income families.[2]
: appeal to compromised authority - insisting something is true because an expert on the issue says it's true, when that expert has a vested interest in the outcome. : Five of the six other studies Romney cites are from people or groups with ties to Romney's campaign.[3]
: post hoc - proclaiming that because something occurred after X, it was caused by X, when no causal relationship at all may exist. : Taking credit for lowering taxes 18 times, when 11 of those 18 times were just renewals of tax breaks that already existed.[4]
: appeal to compromised authority - insisting something is true because an expert on the issue says it's true, when that expert has a vested interest in the outcome. : The "National Federation of Independent Business" is actually a lobbying group funded in part by Crossroads GPS and the Koch brothers.[5]
: half truth - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth. : Romney warns that Obama will raise taxes, without mentioning he would only raise them on the top 3%.[6]
: euphemism - replacing language that is accurate but may be offensive to your target audience with language that is more palatable or appealing. : Using "emergency measures," rather than saying "corporate bailout."
: Romney points out the logical contradiction with Obama choosing to extend the Bush tax cuts in 2010, but proposing to raise taxes now.
: false claim - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue. : Historical data actually shows that when the top tax rates were at their highest, unemployment was at its lowest.[7]
: appeal to compromised authority - insisting something is true because an expert on the issue says it's true, when that expert has a vested interest in the outcome. : The "National Federation of Independent Business" is a lobbying group funded in part by Crossroads GPS and the Koch brothers.[5]
: dysphemism - replacing neutral language with more derogatory or unpleasant terms, to instill a negative association. The term "corporate welfare" used to describe tax breaks for the oil industry.
: half truth - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth. : Obama mentions a special deduction for companies moving overseas, without mentioning it's the same standard deduction for any business that relocates anywhere, not just overseas.[8]
: misleading claim - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue. : Of the $90 billion Obama provided to green energy, 60% of it was directed to state and local governments and utility companies, not green energy companies.[9]
: hearsay - an often malicious statement from a third party that cannot be substantiated.
: Romney challenges Obama's half truth about getting a deduction for shipping jobs overseas.
: adding qualifiers - adding an extra word or phrase to a response, which makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression. : Romney support for no changes to Medicare "for current retirees and near retirees," is not saying he doesn't support changes to Medicare for everyone else.
: appeal to anonymous authority - insisting something is true because an unnamed expert, study, or generalized group (like 'scientists') say it's true. : There was "a survey done" of small businesses, without identifying who did the survey.
: misleading claim - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue. : Many of the people that will "lose" their current insurance under Obamacare, will get insurance under Obamacare.[10]
: misleading claim - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue. : Health care spending (not premiums) grew slower than at any time in the last 50 years.[11]
: half truth - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth. : Romney states that people won't be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions under his plan, without mentioning that's only if they already have health coverage.[12]
: Obama now challenges the "preexisting conditions" half truth.
Total number of techniques detected over the 1:32:51 runtime of this video clip:
PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES
6 OCCURRENCES
adding qualifiers: dysphemism: euphemism: slogan:
FALSEHOODS & DISTORTIONS
16 OCCURRENCES
accuse of lying: appeal to anonymous authority: appeal to compromised authority: false claim: half truth: misleading claim: post hoc: