We’ve all been there. In a conversation with a thinking Republican, then all of a sudden, the conversation shifts and we’re stuck on a totally different topic thinking, what the hell just happened?
Turns out that’s not an accident. This new species of what I like to call Republican Operatives have learned a new skill. The art of the pivot.
The goal is pretty straightforward. Shift the conversation multiple times to confuse your opponent. I look at it like a fight. Imagine, for a moment, you’re in a fist fight with someone and the suddenly start swinging all over the place as if they’re surrounded by fighters. But it’s just you, so you run around the imaginary circle trying to hit your opponent from whatever side they’re facing. This leads to confusion and eventually to can’t keep up.
There’s a very simple response to this type of pivot. Ask a question, then let the person pivot all they like until they tire out, then hit them again with the same question. Confused? Check out how Anderson Cooper kept his cool and stayed on topic with the queen of pivot, Kellyanne Conway. Cooper even calls out the pivot at about 07:45.
Chuck Todd did an ever better job
Todd catches the pivot in the first two minutes and let’s her dance around the question. Then when she’s done, he hits her again.
This is how we need to deal with this. There are a few Republicans left that when confronted with the actual issues, will actually allow common ground, but for the rest who won’t, we need to stay on topic and not let them dominate.
Our media sometimes doesn’t get enough respect for how they deal with this kind of thing. Indeed, they deserve the criticism sometimes. However, it’s important to note when they catch on to this simple pivot trick and respond well.
We can all work on following their lead.
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