Framing the debate.

• Author: Dickson, Wendy Foster
• Position: Brief Article - Letter to the Editor

Kenneth Baer's critique of Don't Think Of An Elephant is ultimately unconvincing because it argues against Lakoff's politics instead of taking on Lakoff's theory ("Word Games," January/February).

What Lakoff claims is that the manipulative power of language framing is ultimately more important to a successful political message than the ideas behind it. This new insight resonates with Democratic populists, like me, who are frustrated by conservatives' use of deceptive language to malign Democratic ideas and erode American values while Democratic leaders appear powerless to defend them.

I don't care if Baer agrees with Lakoff politically. What I care about is Lakoff's argument that language framing is relevant to create a more successful progressive message that will help Democrats win back the political advantage. Apparently, Baer agrees with that part of Lakoff's book by taking credit for it. Then, he slams him as a "left-wing liberal" which is exactly the language flaming Republicans use to malign good ideas with irrelevant ideological bashing.

When will the New Democrats and DLC get it? The...