Debating Joe the Plumber

This debate used a technique that I tried to teach all of my debators.

1) Humanize the issue through a classic stereotype.. design your sterotype so that it fits your idea concept
2) Show how your stereotype cannot be ignored
3) Show how your opponent's plan hurts your stereotype.

Classic debate technique.

The adept debater on the other side can either spend the time showing how that stereotype is not relevant, or that the assumptions made with that stereotype are false.

When the opponent chooses either tactic, they are not debating the issue. It is somewhat of a red herring argument.

The red herring argument is when the debate centers around a small detail rather than the principal that needs to be resolved.

Lindsay loaned me a book whose title is "Sway" it is a pretty expensive little hardback. It basically outlines how people will make an irrational choice just so that they won't lose anything. The success rate is not so celebrated as much as even a little loss. The tragedy of the KLM flight in the Azores was cited. People will buy an extraordinary amount of insurance knowing that there is little chance that they will need it. They just don't want to be caught with a little loss. This is what is behind cancer insurance as well as some other insurance products. It is also what makes people pay more taxes than they owe so that they can get a check back from the Feds or the state so they won't have to come up with operating money to pay their taxes. Everyone is protecting themselves from just one little red herring in the kettle.

This is why Joe Plumber is such a strong way to argue.. still it really is a red herring compared to the nation's economy or jobs.

Just my opinion

Pat