phrasing matters

[yesthattom]

People are talking about how well the DNC went and are speculating about if the RNC can match it.

Suddenly the 3D rendering of the RNC’s state are no longer on their web site. Hmmm.... are they changing things at this late date?

It dawned on me that there are 2 ways to talk about this:
A. GOP will have difficulty matching the quality of the DNC.
B. GOP will exceed the quality of the Dem's convention or it will make McCain look like an amateurish fool.

They are both true. However, B sets an impossible expectation and ends the sentence (the part that sticks in people’s brains) with the phrase “McCain looks like an amateurish fool”.

I’ll be saying “B”. How about you?

Comments

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

I like it. Though I suggest an edit: "McCain will look like MORE of an amateurish tool." :)

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

I simplified the language in other ways. I don't like adding "more" because it puts too many syllables between McCain and "fool".

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

This was good for a convention, but really, does they ever do anything but preach to their own choir? I've never seen anyone say "Hey, did you see the closing speech last night? I think I'm gonna change my vote" It's best effect is to energise it's own people to campaign more/better

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

I don't know the answer to that since all of my friends are strongly on one side or the other. They both give fuel for the pundits, who now have to say that Obama has defined himself and been specific about policies.

My best guess as to whether or not undecided voters watch is that they do:
1. undecided don't pay attention until late in the game, and they've moved the conventions fairly late in the game to match
2. the GOP (and to a lesser extent DNC) speeches have a lot of "what to do if you are undecided" lingo. I think the Governator's speech 8 years ago was the best example of this.
3. This years DNC was special because it was the first time an African-American got the nomination and many people tuned in just to see the historical moment

Tom

[barking-iguana.livejournal.com]

This time, yes. 38 million people watched, which is nearly twice the number that watched Kerry. People who don't habitually vote Democratic are checking Obama out to see if they can vote for him.

I'm thinking

[mrfantasy.livejournal.com]

Columns.

Seriously.

I'll bet you lunch.

Re: I'm thinking

[mrfantasy.livejournal.com]

And the rendering is still there on the GOP Convention web site: http://www.gopconvention2008.com/about/podium.aspx

Re: I'm thinking

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

Holy cow! It looks like this!

Re: I'm thinking

[docstrange.livejournal.com]

Well, that didn't take long.

Tom jumps the shark, Aug 29, 2008.