To the thinking American: we have before us a masterclass in #rhetoric, which of course is the art of saying the right thing at the right time. In coming days, I encourage you to listen closely and actively to commentators & politicians. Listen to what they say & how they say it.
Are you hearing smart ideas well expressed? Or are you hearing trite "talking points" that repeat banal ideas? You can take note of this most saliently when politicians take the floor for a limited number of minutes and seconds. Do they speak to any effect?
The dichotomy was very much to the fore during the House impeachment proceedings. Does the speaker say anything that matters? Is the speaker concrete and specific, or vague and sweeping? Is the speaker tying conclusions to observable facts, or repeating tendentious abstractions?
Is it the language of facts? Or is it the language of emotional appeal unfettered by known, observable facts? Is it sincere conviction or insincere bluster? Observe closely. The future of our polity is on the line.
@BeschlossDC @jaketapper @PaulBegala @DanRather @Lawrence
@BeschlossDC @jaketapper @PaulBegala @DanRather @Lawrence
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