Hardball+Lesson+2

The Definition of Spin!
• Spinning is the technique used by politicians that when the media releases a new story, the politicians manipulate the story to benefit themselves and sometimes attack their opponents. • In some cases of spinning, politicians have a problem. They must admit their problem to the public, gaining their trust, and then use their trust to manipulate the public and make their opponents look bad.

Senator Nixon's Spin!
• Being urged to leave the ticket • Eisenhower didn’t want him as his VP • Wanted him out • Thomas Dewey said Nixon should plead his case on national TV • If the reaction was 60% for Nixon, 40% against, then Nixon would leave • If it was 90 to 10, Nixon should stay • Public broadcast: gave an account of his complete financial history • Telling the American people exactly what he was worth • Setting up the spin: admitting he needed outside help • Couldn’t finance a political career with his own resources • Announced his modest resources, and changed the question from propriety to that of class • Said that his opponent’s should do the same as he, and disclose their financial histories • Should admit to what outside sources of income they’ve had, should admit the names of the people who have contributed to other funds • Turned the issue to the willingness to disclose – made disclosure a standard for office • Said if the opponents didn’t disclose their finance, it would suggest that they had something to hide • Nixon threatening to show all of Eisenhower’s tricky finances to the public • Nixon remained on the ticket media type="youtube" key="PK77WknYGtE&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"

Outside Example of Spin!
Near the beginning of this summer, gas prices rose to $4. Both candidates had to respond in ways that put themselves in a good light and their opponents in a bad light.

media type="youtube" key="a3Zy50Dy6Zk&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425" This turned Obama’s words from positive to negative to support McCain’s energy solutions like offshore drilling and nuclear power.

media type="youtube" key="iT-lxXsrgaE&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425" This turned McCains words and his relationship with President Bush from potentially positive to negative to support Obama’s energy solutions like new technology and his bid for change.

In spring of this year, Hilary Clinton wasn't doing as well as Obama in the Big states, so when she won the Pennsylvania Caucus in April, she spun the win to show that "the tide was turning" and that America was finally realizing that she was the best candidate and that more wins would follow, similar to when her husband Bill Clinton spun his second place win in 1992 to show he was the "Comeback Kid." [|Clinton Pennsylvania Spin] "The voters in Pennsylvania have spoken. America is listening. And the tide is turning"

Works Cited for Spin!
Bevan, Tom. "The Clinton PA Spin". 23 April 2006. Real Clear Politics. 6 August 2008 .

Matthews, Chris. __Hardball__. New York: Free Press, 1988.