My Tried and True Rules For Political Debate

by Jeff Brown

Real Estate Investments Broker

Author website

I love talkin’ with people. My heroin if you will, is the first couple conversations I have with a prospect or new client. It’s a fix I need often, and greedily seek. Political discussions also interest me. I love the rational give and take of a spirited political debate. What I can’t stand though, is the emotional claptrap, the avoidance of facing tough questions head-on, and the favorite technique of empty headed smart-asses, answering a question with a question.

Obviously, liberals and conservatives are both guilty. My experience however is with libs, who sometimes seem literally incapable of addressing simple questions asked in plain, one to two syllable words. I’m to the right of Atilla the Hun, and make no bones about it. The only reason I twice voted for Reagan was cuz Goldwater didn’t run. And HE wasn’t conservative enough. 🙂

Back to political debate.

I’ve developed some hard and fast rules. If ya wanna play with me, you abide by them, or we don’t talk politics. It tends to get libs’ panties in a bind, but it works well. Those who agree to them, usually end up admitting it made for a much calmer, more honest, and certainly friendlier give and take.

The Rules

1. If I ask you a question, you must answer THAT question — nothing more. Take as long as you need, but you must limit your response to the specific question. It works both ways.

2. Without exception — NO answering a question with a question. It’s almost always the way out when you have nothing to say. Either give the other guy the point, or make your case.

3. No personal attacks. The discussion ends there, without warning. You’ve obviously shown your gun is loaded with blanks. You’ve embarrassed yourself. Quit while you’re behind.

4. Don’t dress up your opinion as fact. You look foolish, and it’s an insult to my intelligence. It’s either fact or not. The intensity of your belief doesn’t make it so.

Here’s a recent example of a talk I had with a lib in Starbucks the other day. It was a great example of what’s possible.

We were standing in line and began talking about the Scott Brown win. He was appalled by it, and I was elated. We hit it off, so he invited me to share a table and chat about it over our coffee. Cool.

Although ‘John’ was a little surprised at the ground rules, he smiled, and readily agreed.

We started, at my suggestion, by establishing our core beliefs. He admitted to being an avid Obama supporter. I said I was to the right of Reagan. Then it was on.

He went first, asking me what I thought of W’s presidency. I told him with the exception of the tax cuts and national security (no attacks on his watch), his presidency was an abomination to conservatives everywhere. John was taken aback by that response, saying, ‘Man, nobody can accuse you of not tellin’ it like it is.’

I then asked him, “Values matter. Are you hoping your 13 year old daughter follows the example of the entire Kennedy family, and/or Bill Clinton when it comes to marital fidelity?” I love that question cuz it’s an easy one to answer if you’re gonna be honest.

John began to answer with a question about Republican sexual scandals, but I put my finger to my lips while shakin’ my head no. Answer the question, Big Guy. He smiled, then to his credit, said, “My heart would be broken if a daughter of mine treated marriage that way.” Good answer — honest to be sure.

This went on for over an hour. Every time he thought I’d get squeamish, I looked him in the eye and answered him directly. Nixon was an embarrassment. Both Bushes were spineless when going against Dems. Any war is a mistake if we don’t go in to wipe the enemy out, and damn quickly. Kill ’em all if that’s what it takes.

John, as time passed, became more and more comfortable admitting his misgivings about the libs over the years who’ve disappointed him. Neither one of us changed our core beliefs. I’m still the most conservative guy most folks will meet — a Neanderthal in John’s eyes. He’s still mixin’ the Obama Kool-Aid — a hopeless Kumbuya groupie. 🙂

Yet, we became friendly acquaintances talking about a topic most folks avoid like the plague. We promised to look for each other whenever we’re in that Starbucks. And I think the Rules made that possible.

What think you?