How to talk politics at Thanksgiving

͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Ryan Busse puts principles over politics. If you’d like to unsubscribe, [click here.]( [Busse_Logo](#) Hello from Team Busse! This isn’t a typical political email begging for campaign cash. Instead, as we approach the holidays, we’re sharing some practical messaging advice for Democrats from Ryan Busse as he runs to become Montana’s next governor. I’ve coached candidates and elected leaders on political messaging for more than 17 years, and Ryan is one of the strongest communicators I’ve ever worked with. That means I was listening carefully when Ryan appeared live on a conservative talk radio call-in show the other day. He spent an hour taking tough questions from callers who regularly listen to conservative talk radio. His thoughtful, clear answers, and the respectful way he handled questions, was so effective that we want to pass along some of his messaging tips for talking politics with your feisty, conservative relatives who may be sitting around your dining room table this holiday season. - Don’t Take Their Bait. [Don’t take their bait video]( This caller wants to lure Ryan into a debate over identity politics. When Democrats play defense on identity politics, we often lose sight of the bigger political picture: winning elections. The caller asks about a transgender woman who wears a dress. “This is the stuff that’s being taught in public schools,” the caller falsely claims, then adds: “Is this individual a man or a woman?” Of course Ryan believes in the freedom for all people to be themselves, with respect and dignity. But note how Ryan turns the focus back on the caller’s mean-spirited intent: - RYAN: I really don’t appreciate you taking cheap shots at people, trying to stoke some culture war hatred. Ryan’s response is firm but respectful. But rather than keep the focus on identity politics, Ryan sees an opening to correct the caller’s false claim about what’s being taught in public schools: - RYAN: My kids have been in public school. I still have a sophomore in public school. They’re not reaching this stuff. They are teaching people to help people instead of hurt people, and I’m unclear what decent, reasonable Montanan thinks that it’s a bad idea to be decent and respectful to people. It should be a pretty dang low bar. That’s what I stand for. If you want to take up your day by worrying about these made-up culture wars, go for it. But I’m just not down with that. See what happened there? What was supposed to be a question and an answer about identity politics ended as a correction… and a scolding. - Wedge Issues? Wedge Back! [Wedge issues? Wedge Back video]( This caller feels strongly about the issue of abortion. Her strategy is to wedge her anti-abortion perspective of this complex issue by using hyperbolic, graphic language—a tactic many on the Right use to put anyone who believes in the freedom of choice on defense. First, note how Ryan reframes the issue right off the top, without falling into the trap of answering the caller’s wedge-issue question: - CALLER: Where’s your limit on killing babies? RYAN: So you asked a question about women’s health care… Then Ryan uses equally effective language to wedge the issue back, harnessing the power of his new frame: women and their health care: - RYAN:I believe that the Governor of Montana has no right to be in the doctor’s office with the women of this state, creepily looking at them, telling them what they can and can’t do with their health care decisions. It’s not my decision. It should be a doctor’s, and a woman’s, and their god’s decision, between all of them—it’s not mine. And it’s definitely not Greg Gianforte’s. And this weirdness—that he wants to get into doctors’ offices with women and tell them what they can and can’t do? Sorry, I’m not down with that either. Note how Ryan flips the script, accurately framing his opponent, billionaire Greg Gianforte, as a creepy, anti-choice religious zealot who has plans to invade women’s privacy. - Pivot, Then Play Offense [Pivot, then play offense video]( We all know people like this caller, who tries to shame Ryan into applying for a property tax rebate from the State of Montana. Though this particular issue is specific to Montana, the wider pivot-then-play-offense strategy is important for progressives and Democrats to use everywhere. First, some context: Gianforte purposely made it difficult for Montana homeowners to apply for their property tax rebates this year, after the governor and his Republican supermajority in our state legislature jacked up property taxes—something most Republicans claim they oppose. Applying for this year’s rebate was such a difficult process (requiring homeowners to track down their “geocodes”) that tens of thousands of Montanans didn’t even bother. This caller persistently tries to embarrass Ryan for claiming his rebate, absurdly suggesting that Ryan should have given his money back to the government because he objects to Gianforte’s rebate process. But note how Ryan changes the subject, or pivots: - CALLER: Did you send [your rebate] back to the revenue department or did you take it to the food bank to donate it? RYAN: There were 64,500 people in the State of Montana that were due that rebate and they did not get it… Pivoting, though, is only half the strategy. Watch how Ryan once again turns the tables. Instead of playing defense on a caller’s half-baked quest to make Ryan feel guilty, Ryan plays offense—which we believe Democrats don’t do often enough. - RYAN: …And the reason they didn't get [their rebates] is because there was all of this red tape that was placed on that rebate by the Republicans and the Governor. They know what your geocode is. They know what your address is. They know where you live. Why? Because they send you tax bills. So why are we penalizing all of these people in this state who are owed that rebate? Now watch how Ryan keeps playing defense, respectfully redirecting the shame back onto the caller for defending a Republican tax increase: - RYAN: I don’t know why you would want to defend a system that makes it harder on people to get the money they’re owed, and then pick on people when they take the money they’re owed. This is their money. Now if you’re so worried about people being owed money then I think you ought be plenty worried about this property tax increase being laid over the top of everybody very purposefully. See how much more effective this strategy is? Just ask the University of Montana Grizzlies: You score more touchdowns playing offense! If you’re interested in listening to Ryan’s full radio interview, we invite you to do so here: [( Put these tips to work when you find yourself debating politics in the weeks ahead. And from all of us at Team Busse, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Murphy Advisor, Busse for Montana PS: Though I said I wasn’t going to beg for campaign cash, I’d be remiss not to ask for it. If you believe we need a tough candidate like Ryan fighting for Democracy in Montana, >>[please consider giving what you can by clicking here.]( Your generous financial support is paramount to Ryan’s victory. --------------------------------------------------------------- Ryan is running to fight for freedom, fairness, and common sense. Meanwhile, liars, cheats, billionaires, and fascists are unraveling American democracy before our eyes. We should be terrified of their anti-freedom agenda. Greg Gianforte is the problem. He’s already raised your taxes, ignored the high cost of housing, lied to Montanans, and even went jet-setting in Italy while Montanans had to deal with record-breaking floods. He’s just getting started. Ryan is ready to deliver “a new brand for Montana,” and protect the Last Best Place from Greg Gianforte’s dangerous, failed leadership. #[CONTRIBUTE MONTHLY »]( »]( Paid for by Busse for Montana, PO Box 8537 Kalispell, MT 59904, Democrat Busse for Montana PO Box 8537 Kalispell, MT 59904 United States If you need to you can unsubscribe here: [unsubscribe]( You can also [click here to donate](.