Full coverage of the 2018 Ted Cruz vs. Beto O'Rourke Texas Senate debate.

By Tara Jons
09/24/2018 • 12:00 AM EST

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: Click or tap on any techniquesee definition - the definition will be displayed here.
that appears in bold to show its definition.
: proof by anecdotesee definition - making a broad generalization based on individual stories or isolated examples that support that generalization.
: O'Rourke asserts that the top concern for the residents of Booker, Texas is the fate of Dreamers, because that's what he heard going door-to-door with his wife.
: oversimplificationsee definition - treating a complex problem or subject with false simplicity by omitting or ignoring complicating factors or details.
: false claimsee definition - 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 claimsee definition - 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 associationsee definition - Defending or championing cultural sacred cows in order to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: The police.
: honor by associationsee definition - Defending or championing cultural sacred cows in order to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: The police.
: misleading claimsee definition - 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 associationsee definition - Defending or championing cultural sacred cows in order to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: The national anthem, veterans, the flag.
: O'Rourke exposes the straw man.[6]
: dog whistlesee definition - ambiguous messaging used to stoke racial fear and anxiety and/or to covertly signal allegiance to certain subgroups of an audience.
: Championing "religious liberty" could be signaling support for the exclusive primacy of the Christian faith.[7]
: exaggerationsee definition - 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 mansee definition - 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 associationsee definition - using an opponent's links to another person or group to assign the other's beliefs, misdeeds, or other unattractive traits to the opponent.
: Cruz uses O'Rourke's endorsement of Hillary Clinton to identify O'Rourke with Clinton's support for limiting the right to possess firearms.
: exaggerationsee definition - 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 authoritysee definition - 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 authoritysee definition - insisting something is true because someone posing as or being framed as an expert says it's true.
: O'Rourke now cites the parent of a school shooting victim as an expert in knowing how to best protect those in school shootings.
: half truthsee definition - 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 virtuesee definition - presenting a weakness or undesirable trait as a strength, by focusing on any positive aspect of it.
: Cruz suggests that his recent deference to Trump after personal attacks—which could be characterized as him losing his dignity—actually demonstrates the altruism he's willing to show for the sake of his constituents.
: fault as virtuesee definition - presenting a weakness or undesirable trait as a strength, by focusing on any positive aspect of it.
: O'Rourke suggests his 1998 DWI arrest—which could be seen as just a serious character flaw and demonstration of poor judgment—has actually made him better able to advocate for criminal justice reform for minorities.
: straw mansee definition - 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 equivalencesee definition - implying that two things are essentially the same, when they only have anecdotal similarities.
: Between the cost of a pre-ACA heath care plan (which has lower standards) and a post-ACA plan (which has to meet much higher standards).
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Cruz's 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]
: hyperbolesee definition - 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 associationsee definition - using an opponent's links to another person or group to assign the other's beliefs, misdeeds, or other unattractive traits to the opponent.
: Cruz uses Bernie Sanders to identify O'Rourke with socialism, expanding government, and higher taxes.

Total number of techniques detected over the 58:17 runtime of this video clip:


References
7. "How conservatives have changed the meaning of 'religious liberty'". The Washington Post. Published: August 02, 2018.

8. "How Ted Cruz Artfully Exaggerated His Gun-Rights Record". Vice.com. Published: February 19, 2016.