About us Login Get email updates
County Fair
Print

Fox News' Live Desk, using Luntz-approved term "govt option," claims Dems doing the rebranding

October 27, 2009 3:00 pm ET by Eric Hananoki

As we've noted, "government option" is a term right-wing pollster Frank Luntz suggested conservatives use because it doesn't poll as well as "public option."  Following the Luntz playbook, yesterday's Live Desk -- one of Fox News' prestigious 'straight news' programs -- aired a caption referring to the "govt option."  Today, Live Desk again used "govt option" -- to ask why Democrats are "rebrand[ing]" the public option to sway public opinion:  

rebrand

With the term "Govt Option" blaring across the screen, co-host Trace Gallagher asked guest Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL):  "Is the hope here that if you, if you change the labeling, change the brand, that people will like it more?  That it's more appetizing to them?" 

rebrand2

You tell us, Trace. 

Tags: Fox News Channel, Trace Gallagher, The Live Desk

Support Our Work


Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by DellDolly (October 27, 2009 3:19 pm ET)
      2  
      It's the public option instead of the private option.

      Public is the antonym to private. It will be similar programs, but the difference is the public vs private aspect of the two - that's why it's called public. Just like we have public roads and private roads, or public schools vs private schools.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by newzhound (October 27, 2009 4:22 pm ET)
      1  
      Those are the same Republicans who rebranded the "Nuclear Option" (Sen. Lott, thank you very much) to the "Constitutional Option."

      I seem to recall a similar rebranding of privitizing Social Security...
      Report Abuse
    • Author by newzhound (October 27, 2009 4:24 pm ET)
      2  
      2.00: How could I forget Faux Noise's famous "homicide bombers." That one really took off, didn't it? Did they give up trying to peddle that new name?
      Report Abuse

my.MediaMatters.org

Login  Sign Up

About the Blog

Feed Icon
  • County Fair is a media blog featuring links to progressive media criticism from around the Web as well as original commentary, breaking news and rapid response updates to major media events from Media Matters senior fellows and other staff.