One more Frank Luntz reference before we go...
In 2012, Terri and I spent parts of two days with the man as he was preparing to lead a televised focus group after one of the Republican Presidential Debates that ultimately produced Mitt Romney as the GOP's standard bearer. As we drove to the convention hall, he unexpectedly invited us back stage after the debate. And, as we slid through security like butter, a Fox producer informed Frank that he would be getting two segments in the post-debate coverage, instead of the standard one. He turned and asked, "who's getting bumped," as the top running candidates typically got the three slots after Franks' analysis.
"Rick Perry," she said. "Hannity has decided he doesn't have what it takes." At that moment, we saw the power the Fox star had in deciding the future of the election. Days later, Perry dropped out.
I tell the story to provide background on just how plugged in Frank Luntz has been over the past quarter century...and how the Trump presidency shook him to his core. A friend turned me on to an hour-long conversation with Frank, recorded days before his stroke in early 2020.
Many of us that follow politics have our opinions on how we've gotten to this dysfunctional place in our nation's history. I've blamed the media. Others have blamed Obama's refusal to collaborate with the other side and simply run the table (which Frank believes played a part).
Not to be a spoiler..but he ultimately believes it was the nomination of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running-mate in 2008.
There...now you hafta listen. Because it makes a ton of sense.
Sadly.
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