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

: proof by anecdote - making broad generalizations based on individual stories or isolated examples that support that generalization.
: O'Rourke suggests that a top concern for Republican voters is the fate of Dreamers, based on conversations he had in one Texas community, while providing no other evidence that reflects this sentiment.

: oversimplification - treating a complex problem or subject with false simplicity by omitting or ignoring complicating factors or details.

: false claim - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: What O'Rourke actually voted for was barring the DoD from providing military weaponry (NOT including body armor) to local law enforcement.^[2]

: misleading claim - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: O'Rourke's Jim Crow comment was not just directed at police officers, but at the systematic mass incarceration of blacks in general.^[4]

: honor by association - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Cruz pays tribute to fallen officers, aligning himself with the bravery and selflessness inherent in law enforcement while casting O'Rourke as disrespecting these ideals.

: honor by association - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Cruz recounts his experiences at police funerals, aligning himself with the honor and sacrifice of those who serve while implying that O'Rourke's rhetoric contributed to these tragedies.

: misleading claim - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: O'Rourke actually said that unarmed black men, teenagers, AND children are "being killed at a frightening level right now, INCLUDING by members of law enforcement." ^[5]

: honor by association - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Cruz defends national symbols by warning against disrespect for the flag and national anthem, invoking the name of MLK and aligning himself with the patriotism and revered values these icons represent.

: O'Rourke exposes the straw man.^[6]

: dog whistle - ambiguous messaging designed to stoke fears, anxieties, or prejudices against minorities or other marginalized groups, or to covertly signal allegiance to specific subgroups.
: The phrase "religious liberty" can be used to portray opposition to policies promoting secularism or inclusivity as a defense of faith. Championing it can signal alignment with groups that see Christianity as marginalized and under attack while appearing as just a universal defense of religious freedom to the broader audience.^[7]

: exaggeration - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: Cruz's actual role in Heller v. District of Columbia was that he authored 1 of 70 briefs (which had little known effect on the outcome).^[8]

: straw man - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: O'Rourke's support for justices that support overturning Heller is NOT proof of his support for repealing the 2nd amendment.

: guilt by association - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: Cruz uses O'Rourke's endorsement of Hillary Clinton, to suggest, solely by his endorsement, that he supports Clinton's stance against gun rights, even though he has stated otherwise.

: exaggeration - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: It's not scientifically established that universal background checks ALONE reduce gun violence, separate from a broader system of gun laws and regulations.^[10]

: appeal to false authority - insisting something is true because someone posing as or being framed as an expert says it's true.
: Cruz cites the victims of school shootings as experts in knowing how to best reduce school shootings.

: appeal to false authority - insisting something is true because someone posing as or being framed as an expert says it's true.
: O'Rourke cites the parent of a school shooting victim as an expert in knowing how to best protect those in school shootings.

: half truth - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Cruz mentions $300 million in cuts from school safety funding in 2010, while not mentioning Obama proposed $385 million for school safety in 2013.^[11]

: fault as virtue - reframing a weakness or undesirable trait as a strength by highlighting any positive aspect of it.
: Cruz suggests his deference to Trump after scathing personal attacks—which could be viewed as capitulation—instead proves his willingness to put his constituents above personal grievances.

: fault as virtue - reframing a weakness or undesirable trait as a strength by highlighting any positive aspect of it.
: O'Rourke suggests his 1998 DWI arrest—which could be viewed as a serious character flaw—instead gives him the bona fides to push for criminal justice reform for minorities.

: straw man - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: O'Rourke did call for a national debate on legalizing narcotics, NOT "all" narcotics.^[12]

: Cruz now launches a debate against the straw man he just constructed.

: O'Rourke clarifies his position, but doesn't expose that he's been straw manned again.

: false equivalence - implying that two things are essentially the same, despite being significantly different, by focusing on anecdotal or superficial similarities.
: Between the cost of a pre-ACA health care plan and a post-ACA plan, when all post-ACA plans are required to meet much higher coverage standards.

: half truth - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Cruz touts legislation that would allow healthy people to get cheaper non-ACA-compliant plans, without mentioning it would skyrocket the cost of ACA-compliant plans for those with preexisting conditions.^[13]

: hyperbole - an extravagant statement or figure of speech used for effect, not intended to be taken literally.
: Characterizing levying economic tariffs as "going to war."

: guilt by association - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: Cruz uses O'Rourke's "passion" to link him to Bernie Sanders, and then, by extension, Sanders' policies, even though O'Rourke does not necessarily support those policies.