hypnolibertarian

Have you ever seen an interview with a celebrity or (especially) a politician where the answer to each question seemed to have no relationship whatever with the question that was asked?  This scene is endemic on the political scene, and is a game that reporters and politicians know well.

To an extent, this is an example of different frames; however, more specifically, it is an example of different outcomes.  The reporter wants to catch the politician in an embarrassing or newsworthy sound bite; the politician wants to get his message out to people and become more familiar as a figure to the public.  Therefore, the two often duel concerning their outcomes.  The reporter accuses the politician of dodging or not answering the question.  If the politician were being honest, his answer would be something like “D’UH!!!”  Instead he usually makes some tenuous connection between his answer and the question.

A wonderful example of changing outcomes is the history of the Iraq conflict.  At first, we were going in to protect ourselves from horrendous weapons that might be used, not just on our allies, but also on us.  Then we were in Iraq as part of a strategy in the overall Middle East (which is also a change of frame size; see the posting on frames).  Then we were there to help the Iraqi people who were under the heel of Saddam Hussein.  Now we are there because a too rapid withdrawal would leave the Iraqi people vulnerable to looting, deprivation, and civil war.

Whether you agree with our policy in Iraq or not, the pattern here is very clear; whenever the war grew too unpopular, there was a change of perceived outcome, and the Bush administration gained a bit of breathing space.  Those who were unalterably opposed rejected the outcome change; those who were unalterably in favor didn’t need it, but didn’t mind; however, those who were undecided or uncertain had another opportunity to support our troops and our government.

Changing outcomes, or goals, can be very subtle.  Watch for it in the campaign.  Can you identify where Obama has changed outcomes on some subjects?  How about McCain?  Did it help or hurt the candidate?

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