A lesson in subtle framing

John McCain has been coached well on delivering carefully framed responses. During an interview on The View, Joy Behar was telling McCain how no one believed the "lipstick on a pig" comment and asked McCain does he really approve those messages. McCain said "yes" and then said not once--but twice--"Obama chooses his words very carefully."

McCain's response was subtly framed in a way that whether you agree or disagree, you're trapped. If you agree, then the thought process is something like "Well, Obama does seem to choose his words carefully...." If you disagree, the thought process is something like "Well maybe Obama didn't choose his words carefully in this instance..." Either way, the intention is to plant doubt in your mind.

When you're aware of framed responses, the best defense is to simply ignore them. Don't acknowledge them or answer them. If you're in a debate, of course you reframe. But cunning framers aren't really concerned about convincing informed people. Like Nick Naylor in the movie Thank You for Smoking, they're looking to influence the uninformed.