: Click or tap on any technique - the definition will be displayed here.
that appears in bold to show its definition.

: FUD - raising uncertainty and doubt about an issue while offering few specifics and no credible evidence to support the concerns.
: The statement introduces uncertainty about exploring healthcare options beyond Obamacare, claiming it would "plunge our country into a contentious debate" and "rip away the security that people finally have." This framing amplifies doubt without addressing the potential benefits or justifying the concerns.

: slogan - a brief, striking phrase designed to be memorable, evoke emotional appeal, and reinforce a specific message or idea.
: "A progressive is someone who makes progress" not only redefines the term "progressive" but also establishes a political identity that is easy for audiences to remember and adopt.

: whataboutism - discrediting a criticism by accusing hypocrisy to shift the focus away from oneself and onto others.
: Clinton shifts the focus from doubts about her progressiveness to doubts about the progressiveness of other Democrats, making the issue about them rather than addressing her own record.

: whataboutism - discrediting a criticism by accusing hypocrisy to shift the focus away from oneself and onto others.
: Clinton shifts the focus from doubts about her progressiveness to doubts about Sanders' progressiveness, implying hypocrisy and diverting attention from her own record.

: slogan - a brief, striking phrase designed to be memorable, evoke emotional appeal, and reinforce a specific message or idea.
: I'm a progressive who gets things done" uses repetition to strengthen the rebranding of the term and solidify a political identity as a "progressive."

: going negative - involves portraying the opponent’s criticism as inappropriate, indecent, or underhanded, rather than engaging with the substance of the criticism.

: bandwagon - the tendency for individuals to adopt certain beliefs, behaviors, or actions because they perceive others are doing the same.

: fault as virtue - reframing a weakness or undesirable trait as a strength by highlighting any positive aspect of it.
: Sanders reframes his lack of establishment endorsements— which could be seen as a sign of weak party support— as validation that his campaign is powered not by political insiders, but by grassroots support.

: red herring - throwing irrelevant information into an argument to divert attention from the real issue at hand.
: Clinton brings up her historic candidacy as the first woman to run for president, which does not directly address the extent of her ties to the establishment.

: 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 "respected health economist" the speaker cites served in the Clinton administration.^[2]

: projection - accusing an opponent of using the same underhanded tactics or committing the same misdeeds the accuser is guilty of.
: Clinton accuses Sanders of attacking her character, as she attacks his character.

: going negative - involves portraying the opponent’s criticism as inappropriate, indecent, or underhanded, rather than engaging with the substance of the criticism.

: appeal to pity - portraying oneself as a victim to elicit sympathy, deflect criticism, and foster a sense of shared vulnerability with the audience.
: Clinton portrays herself as a victim of relentless attacks and opposition funded by special interests, fostering a sense of shared struggle with the audience against these forces.

: 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.
: Half of the "group of national security experts," who have concerns with Sanders also have ties to military contractors.^[4]

: fear mongering - spreading exaggerated rumors or dire warnings about impending danger on an issue.
: The statement asserts a radical agenda, claiming the opposition aims to "destroy Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and every governmental program since the 1930s." This sweeping certainty about their intentions amplifies fears of losing social safety nets without offering evidence to verify the claim.^[5]

: false equivalence - implying that two things are essentially the same, despite being significantly different, by focusing on anecdotal or superficial similarities.
: Between the email issue and Benghazi, when Benghazi was a politicized opposition-led investigation that cleared her of any wrongdoing, and the other, an FBI investigation that was less exculpatory.^[6]

: whataboutism - discrediting a criticism by accusing hypocrisy to shift the focus away from oneself and onto others.
: Clinton shifts the focus from scrutiny over her use of private email by pointing out other secretaries of state who did the same, making the issue seem commonplace.^[7]

: euphemism - replacing language that is accurate but may be offensive to the target audience with language that is more palatable or appealing.
: The phrase "security review" can frame an FBI investigation into the improper handling of classified information as a routine bureaucratic process.

: innuendo - implying something negative or controversial without explicitly stating it, leaving the audience to infer the intended meaning.
: By contrasting herself as someone who is governed by both her "heart" and "head," she plants a subtle negative assumption that Sanders’ supporters are idealistic, emotional, and impractical, without explicitly stating it.

: innuendo - implying something negative or controversial without explicitly stating it, leaving the audience to infer the intended meaning.
: By contrasting herself as someone who uses both her "heart" and "head" to guide her, Clinton implies that Sanders’ supporters are naïve and overly idealistic, without explicitly stating it.