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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

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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.
: 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 to the defender.
: 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.