Full coverage of the 2020 Georgia U.S. Senate runoff debate between Kelly Loeffler and Raphael Warnock.

By Michael Gordon
12/30/2020 • 06:32 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.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: There are actually 132 cases under investigation, the majority of which involve procedural matters unrelated to voter fraud.[1]
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: There are actually 132 cases under investigation, the majority of which involve procedural matters unrelated to voter fraud.[1]
: common folksee definition - connecting with an audience by giving the impression that you understand and share their everyday struggles and concerns.
: By sharing his experience of growing up in public housing and being the first college graduate in a large family, Warnock connects his personal history to priorities affecting ordinary people.
: common folksee definition - connecting with an audience by giving the impression that you understand and share their everyday struggles and concerns.
: By contrasting his background in public housing with his opponent's wealth, Warnock emphasizes his relatability and commitment to underprivileged communities.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Warnock defines Loeffler as a detached elitist and a symbol of broader political dysfunction, without specifying any particular failing.
: common folksee definition - connecting with an audience by giving the impression that you understand and share their everyday struggles and concerns.
: By sharing her first-hand experiences with hard work and financial struggles, Loeffler connects her personal history with the everyday struggles of rural and working-class Americans.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler use of "radical liberal" brands Warnock with a rigid ideological identity, while framing him as an operative advancing a larger radical agenda.
: ad hominemsee definition - attacking the character or motive of the person making an argument, rather than addressing the argument itself.
: Warnock dismisses Loeffler's critique of him—not by addressing the past public statements in question, but by framing her motives as purely political.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, defining Warnock solely through an ideological lens.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: There are actually 132 cases under investigation, the vast majority of which involve procedural matters unrelated to voter fraud.[1]
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, defining Warnock solely through an ideological lens.
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Loeffler champions both law enforcement and the military, aligning herself with the bravery and sacrifice of these institutions and portraying her opponents as contrary to these ideals.
: loaded questionsee definition - presenting a question that has a presumption of guilt built into it.
: exaggerationsee definition - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: While Loeffler was acquitted of any wrongdoing, she was never charged with a crime, so she couldn't have been exonerated.[2]
: loaded questionsee definition - presenting a question that has a presumption of guilt built into it.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, defining Warnock solely through an ideological lens.
: fear mongeringsee definition - spreading exaggerated rumors or dire warnings about impending danger on an issue.
: The statement exaggerates the consequences of an opposing party victory, suggesting certainty about the opposition's intentions and using language like "defunding the police" and "open borders." This stokes fear of lawlessness and chaos without engaging with the complexity of the policies mentioned.[3][4]
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, while framing Warnock as a political tool for national Democratic leadership.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, defining Warnock solely through an ideological lens.
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Loeffler defends law enforcement and emphasizes the respect it deserves, aligning herself with this revered institution while implicitly portraying Warnock as disrespecting it.
: 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.
: Warnock did say some police in Ferguson had a "gangster and thug mentality," NOT that police were "gangsters and thugs."[4]
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, while framing Warnock as a political tool for national Democratic leadership.
: common folksee definition - connecting with an audience by giving the impression that you understand and share their everyday struggles and concerns.
: By reiterating her modest upbringing and personal financial struggles, Loeffler counters the perception of elitism and aligns herself with working-class citizens.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler's use of "socialist" imposes a broad ideological stereotype on Warnock, while distorting his actual policy positions.
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase designed to be memorable, evoke emotional appeal, and reinforce a specific message or idea.
: "She was appointed. The people of Georgia have been disappointed" uses rhyme and wordplay to create a memorable critique of the opponent's legitimacy.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Warnock's use of "out of touch" reinforces the identity of Loeffler as an elitist who doesn't care about regular people.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, defining Warnock solely through an ideological lens.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler's use of "socialism," reinforces the broad ideological stereotype, while disregarding Warnock's actual policy positions.
: fear mongeringsee definition - spreading exaggerated rumors or dire warnings about impending danger on an issue.
: The statement exaggerates the consequences of an opposing party victory, framing the opposing party’s agenda as "radically changing our way of life" and using terms like "chaos" and "lockdowns." This paints a catastrophic scenario without providing evidence to support the dire warnings.[2][4]
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, while framing Warnock as an operative advancing a larger radical agenda.
: minimizationsee definition - portraying something you don't want to address as trivial or insignificant, to divert attention from it and onto matters deemed more important.
: Warnock trivializes clarifying his position on Supreme Court expansion in light of the public’s concern for COVID-19 relief, implying that since the issue doesn’t concern them, it can be dismissed.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Warnock reinforces the characterization of Loeffler as an elitist who doesn't care about regular people.
: minimizationsee definition - portraying something you don't want to address as trivial or insignificant, to divert attention from it and onto matters deemed more important.
: Warnock trivializes the significance of his position on the size of the Supreme Court in the face of everyday people’s struggles with the pandemic, redirecting focus to personal anecdotes that make the issue seem less relevant.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, defining Warnock solely through an ideological lens.
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: Warnock would not only increase the size of SCOTUS, but would pack it with radicals justices that would override the Constitution.
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Loeffler defends the police, aligning herself with the honor and sacrifice of law enforcement while implicitly portraying Warnock as disrespecting and attacking the revered institution.
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Loeffler mentions Warnock's call for ending cash bail, without mentioning he just wants to do it for nonviolent offenses.[5]
: 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.
: The insinuation of inappropriately trading stocks was an attack on Loeffler, NOT the America Dream or every single Georgian.
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Warnock invokes the sacred authority of Jesus by accusing his opponent of misrepresenting Him, aligning himself with the enduring moral authority of Christianity.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler's characterization of "the American dream vs. socialism" locks both her and Warnock into extreme ideological boxes, disregarding their actual policy positions.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Loeffler reinforces the "radical liberal" brand, while framing Warnock as an operative advancing a larger radical agenda.
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase designed to be memorable, evoke emotional appeal, and reinforce a specific message or idea.
: "They have no vision, so they engage in division" employs rhyme to make a sharp political critique more memorable and rhetorically effective.

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References
1. "Georgia officials overstated election investigations". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Published: December 17, 2020.

3. "RNC fact check: First night speakers spin". Roll Call. Published: August 25, 2020.

4. "Ad Links Warnock to 'Defunding the Police'". FactCheck.org. Published: November 25, 2020.