latest

How astroturfing creates the illusion of authenticity and faux consensus.

latest experts

CAN YOU IDENTIFY PROPAGANDA?

Find out
Want to help us continue our work? All donations are tax deductible.
support this project

Full coverage of the 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial debate between Gretchen Whitmer and Tudor Dixon.

By Grace Lovins and Charlotte Jones
11/05/2022 • 08:32 AM EST

Don't know how to use this page?

: Click or tap on any techniquesee definition - the definition will be displayed here.
 that appears in bold to show its definition.
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Whitmer mentions enshrining Roe, without mentioning that Proposal 3 goes beyond Roe, carving out exceptions for abortions after fetal viability.[1]
: poisoning the wellsee definition - discrediting your opponent to an audience in advance, in order to encourage dismissing any future claims or accusations they may make against you.
: Whitmer preemptively dismisses anything her opponent says as being "wild-eyed" and untrue.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: While Proposal 3 does state that "every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom," under Michigan state law, those under 18 would still need parental consent.[2]
: out of contextsee definition - removing a passage or quote from its surrounding context in such a way as to distort its intended meaning.
: Dixon actually said, "Perfect example. The way that could be set up is you're protecting that guy, and we gotta get those guys in jail." meaning a 14 year old is a "perfect example" of someone that might not report a rape to an adult, if parental consent laws for abortion are eliminated.[3]
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: Dixon tells her donors "behind closed doors" that she'll do anything necessary to limit abortion rights.
: false equivalencysee definition - implying that two things are essentially the same, when they only have anecdotal similarities.
: Between herself, who never accepted the results of the 2020 election, and Garland Gilchrist, who requested a recount, but ultimately accepted the results of his election.[4]
: euphemismsee definition - replacing accurate language that may be offensive with language that is more palatable, to instill a positive association.
: The phrase "reproductive choice" to mean birth control and/or abortion.
: passing the bucksee definition - shifting blame onto someone else for self-exoneration or to direct attention away from those really at fault.
: For inflation in Michigan just to the world economy.
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Whitmer mentions that she never raised the gas tax, without mentioning that she tried to, but couldn't get it through the legislature.[5]
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Whitmer mentions that there has been no change to the Line 5 pipeline, without mentioning she did try to shut it down, but couldn't do so, due to opposition from Canada.[6][7]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: Many kids were out of school in Michigan for far longer than 3 months, with some staying out for much of the 2020-21 school year.[4]
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: Dixon made the humorous post about gun control 29 days before the shooting, not in response to it, as is insinuated.[5]
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase that people will remember, which typically acts on emotional appeals.
: "Who's gonna keep your kids safe? The former prosecutor with plans or the candidate with thoughts and prayers."
: appeal to traditionsee definition - suggesting that moving away from or abandoning long-standing practice could have detrimental or even dangerous implications.
: Of going back to not teaching about sex or sexuality in schools.
: proof by anecdotesee definition - making a broad generalization, based on an individual story or stories that support that generalization.
: Dixon argues that an unsubstantiated story by an anonymous father finding content of a sexual nature in an unidentified book proves democrats won't protect children.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: Not only Whitmer, but also the GOP-led Legislature, offered those tax incentives, not only to Gotion, but also three other non-Chinese battery plants.[4]
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: The refunds were issued by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Associations, not Whitmer, so Whitmer didn't give anyone checks.[8]
: guilt by associationsee definition - using an opponent's links to another to assign the other's beliefs, misdeeds, or other unattractive qualities to the opponent.
: Dixon uses Whitmer being a Democrat to link Whitmer to Biden's immigration policies.
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows, which transfers the respect, authority, sanction, and prestige associated with those symbols.
: The police
: 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.
: While Whitmer did set milestones for lifting Covid 19 restrictions, she never required anyone getting a neighbor vaccinated or required getting children vaccinated.[4][9]
: red herringsee definition - throwing an irrelevant fact into an argument to divert attention from the real issue at hand.
: Dixon brings up her getting vaccinated, which has no relation to whether she was spreading conspiracy theories about Covid vaccinations.
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: Whitmer's policy of transferring COVID-19 patients from hospitals to nursing homes "killed more seniors than any other state" or even contributed to a single death.[10]

Total number of techniques detected over the 57:41 runtime of this video clip:

PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES

9 OCCURRENCES

appeal to tradition:  
euphemism:  
false equivalency:  
guilt by association:  
honor by association:  
poisoning the well:  
proof by anecdote:  
red herring:  
slogan:  

FALSEHOODS & DISTORTIONS

12 OCCURRENCES

baseless claim:    
false claim:  
half truth:      
misleading claim:        
out of context:  
straw man:  

SUMMARY

21 OCCURRENCES

Whitmer: 55%
Dixon: 45%

References
2. "Michigan's abortion amendment: Here's what it will and won't do if approved". Detroit Free Press. Published: August 16, 2022.

4. "Michigan governor final debate: Fact checking Tudor Dixon-Gretchen Whitmer". Bridge Michigan. Published: October 25, 2022.

5. "Michigan governor debate: Fact checking Whitmer-Dixon showdown". Bridge Michigan. Published: October 13, 2022.

6. "Whitmer orders Enbridge Line 5 shutdown, citing easement violations". Bridge Michigan. Published: November 13, 2020.

7. "Canadian minister: Keeping Line 5 open is 'non-negotiable'". The Detroit News. Published: March 08, 2021.

8. "Michigan drivers to get insurance refunds of $400 per car from trust fund". Bridge Michigan. Published: December 07, 2021.

9. "Governor Whitmer Unveils Plan to Get 'MI Vacc to Normal'". Michigan.gov. Published: April 29, 2021.