Jenkins

Link to the article discussed further into the blog post: HERE

Henry Jenkins discusses in Photoshop for Democracy on page 317 of the readings the concept of spin in politics. This concept basically means that all of the spokespersons for that particular campaign are using a set of “talking points” that are used by everyone to interpret an event or topic. Everyone knows the talking points for the particular event and will continue to use the same points to talk about the party. Whether you are a party member on the Anderson Coopers show or giving an appearance on David Letterman, everyone knows exactly what should be talked about with each particular event or topic. In the past the public has not been able to pick up on this spin in the political parties, but now the public is becoming more aware of these methods of politics. Jenkins talks about how Kerry made an announcement to the supporters through email about his running mate. This turned around and had the Republicans come out with talking points about Edwards that gave details about his political career, voting record in the Senate and his comments on the political trail. This was all done to make sure that when Republican Party members were asked about Kerry or Edwards they would all know exactly what to say (good or bad). This has also allowed the uninformed public to pick up on these talking points to make sure they know what to talk about when they are having dinner with friends or a conversation on the bus. It creates a stir and gets everyone involved, once again whether it is good or bad. This goes even deeper because then bloggers start using the talking points or a concerned voter calling into a show about a candidate or even on our best friend Twitter. To Kerry he thought that this notification of his running mate would be a great idea, but it turned out only to hurt him and tarnish his running mate because the GOP came right back with these talking points to ensure that the public knew of Edwards before Kerry or Edwards could even get to the public. I say well played by the Republican Party, just as Jenkins has mentioned about spin, the public knows what it is now, but this does not stop them from using these talking points to help inform themselves about politics. While Kerry was hoping to gain the edge, he only tarnished himself. This whole concept of political spin and talking points used by parties can be seen in the article that has been linked to above. This follows exactly what Jenkins is talking about with how spin is used by the parties to develop talking points and then the public just uses these points and run with them, only thinking that this is what to believe. Senator Clinton made the comment before the Iowa caucuses in January 2008, “I’m in and I’m in to win.” Then, the following comment was made before the start of the caucuses, “As the presidential candidates engage in furious pre-caucus spin, one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent Iowa supporters said Wednesday that she’s already accomplished what she needs to in Iowa, and can declare success even if she finishes in third place.” This just goes to show how the comment made by Hilary before the Iowa caucuses was made to state that she was in and in to win. Then however right before the actual caucuses were held a supporter then stated that even if she came in third she would still win. A win nonetheless? This article might be short but it is giving an example of how spin is used and these “talking points” are followed by the supporters. She was in to win, but even if she finished third she would win either way. The party wants you to believe that whatever they say, and in this case it is about winning, and whatever the outcome is, it will be spun to make it out their way. Jenkins touched on this with the Kerry example. Even though he tried to come out with a way to gain advantages by emailing about his running mate the GOP party used this to gain political spin about the candidate before Kerry knew what hit him. Turned out it did not work for Kerry. It was turned around and used by the Republicans as a way to gain an upper hand. This is just the same as Clinton did by proclaiming she was a winner whatever the outcome. So down the road even if she did come in third she is still a winner. Do we really want to have a candidate that is always spinning and trying to make the public believe what they want us to believe, as the article states? We need to know when an event is happening that the facts we receive are the truth and that the public is educated on this event and the real truth.