Eddie Scarry of the Federalist explains how Republican politicians can copy a page from President Biden’s playbook.
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans, want Medicare and Social Security to sunset,” he said, to catcalls from Republican members. “I’m not saying it’s the majority. Let me give you — anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal [by the GOP to cut entitlements].”
Biden did a similar version of this about 16 years later in the same speech when he broached the non-compete agreements some businesses require of employers. “It just changed — well, they just changed it because we exposed it,” he said to more hissing from Republicans. “That was part of the deal, guys. Look it up.”
This is what every Republican who plans to run for president in 2024 needs to do. Or, really, any Republican running for any office at all from now on. When confronted with a real-time “fact check” or objection from some obtuse cable news anchor or roving reporter — and they will do it every time, especially on issues where Republicans have an effective message — tell them they’re wrong and that they can look it up or check back for additional info at a more convenient time.
Almost no Republican understands the media, and the 22-year-olds they hire as press assistants don’t either, so here’s a crash course on the topic: When a given Republican has taken up an issue that’s popular with voters, … the media will find any and every way to either minimize the issue or to controversialize the Republican who’s benefiting from it. …
… “No, that’s wrong and I’ll get you the facts,” is a perfectly fine answer when you, unlike them, haven’t just memorized and rehearsed a moment that intends to make you look dumb and unserious.
