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Jeffrey Feldman

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Framing the Debate: Famous Presidential Speeches and How Progressives Can Use Them to Change the Conversation (And Win Elections) Paperback – April 1, 2007

by Jeffrey Feldman (Author), George Lakoff (Introduction)

3.2 9 ratings

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“Frames are mental structures that shape the way we see the world. . . . When you hear a word, its frame is activated in your brain. . . . In politics our frames shape our social policies. . . . Because language activates frames, new language is required for new frames.”—George Lakoff

For decades, the powerful communications machine of the conservative movement has controlled our national political discourse. One of the biggest obstacles to progressive victory has been seeing what American political speech looks like when it is not “framed” by the Republican noise machine.

Framing the Debate: Famous Presidential Speeches and How Progressives Can Use Them to Change the Conversation (and Win Elections) is about unleashing the power of communication in contemporary progressive politics. The book presents fifteen key speeches by American presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George Bush—in order to define the big ideas and images—the “frames”—that each speech evokes to show how those framing techniques can be applied to today’s political debate in order promote a progressive perspective.

An essential book in today’s political climate, Framing the Debate will be instrumental in helping to reshape progressive political language and rhetoric.

An expert on speeches and messaging, Jeffrey Feldman is the editor in chief of the influential political blog Frameshop (www.frameshopisopen.com). He also has a weekly segment on The Thom Hartmann Show on Air America, and travels the country offering seminars on language and progressive politics.

About the Author

Jeffrey Feldman, Ph.D. is a cultural anthropologist and the Editor-in-Chief of the influential political blog Frameshop(www.frameshopisopen.com). An expert on speeches and messaging, he has a weekly segment on The Thom Hartmann Show, and travels the country offering seminars on language and progressive politics.

Print length

200 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Ig Publishing
Publication date

April 1, 2007
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
ISBN-10

0977197298
ISBN-13

978-0977197293
See all details

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ig Publishing; 1st Pbk edition (April 1, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0977197298
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0977197293
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,744,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,684 in United States Executive Government
- #5,520 in Elections
- #7,440 in Political Conservatism & Liberalism

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3.2 9 ratings

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About the author

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Jeffrey Feldman

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I was born and raised in the midwest, educated overseas and in Virginia, and now live in New York City.

I hold a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology, teach college classes, and blog everyday.

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Tita

For those who want to debate

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2019

A' must for politician

One person found this helpful

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sandy

Dated

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2011

Verified Purchase

I remember reading this book and being impressed. However, going back now it is pretty dated information and advice. so, I don't necessarily recommend it.

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dondo

Contrived and not worth the time

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2007

Verified Purchase

This book is a bit contrived, quite formulaic, and in the end neither useful or particularly interesting. I thought the premise was quite interesting, and the cited speeches were for the most part stirring. However, the subsequent analysis was contrived, with a strong feeling of trying to force history to conform to modern values. The recommendations weren't really apt or useful.

I'm a big fan of George Lakoff, and found his first book ( Don't Think Of An Elephant!/ How Democrats And Progressives Can Win: Know Your Values And Frame The Debate: The Essential Guide For Progressives ) intriguing, and his most recent book ( Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision ) both empowering and useful. For someone who hasn't read Lakoff, this book may be interesting and useful, but I'd suggest your time would be better spent with Lakoff instead -- in particular, the most recent one is great reading.

3 people found this helpful

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Aldon Hynes

Reading great speeches

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2007

Jeffrey Feldman's book Framing the Debate is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to read great speeches in American history and think about the themes that have helped make our country great.

Whether you simply long for the great speeches in America's past, or long for eloquent leaders to move our country forward and are willing to roll up your sleeves and help candidates become better speakers and clearer thinkers, this is a book you must read.

14 people found this helpful

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Double Espresso in Decaf Town

A bit wonky, a bit okay, preferred him on C-Span

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2007

Feldman can be vitroilic and say dumb things when he is not breaking his arm patting himself (and fellow "progressives'") on the back, but his book has a point and it makes it well. The point is that how you say something is as important, perhaps more, as what you say. Take the issue, change the focus, keep it on your turf, make your the issue work for you. For anyone interested in politics and in speaking pursuasively in groups, it's a fair exercise. But just fair. When Mr. Feldman applies it he can be very effective like when, on C-Span, he turned the discussion on the war on "what should be the constraints on the powers of the executive?" I thought it well played and articulated. Then he can get silly like in his written defense of the Move-On "Betray-Us" ad (it's a conspiracy, see, the conservatives just want you to believe that applying the word "betrayal" to a general implies treason because normal, fair-minded, people can't/won't make such a link on their own). But, those are asides. The book makes good points. Most people are less interested in HOW to make a point and more interested in what the point itself is. Me, I like the mechanics so I score it three stars but I think the audience will be limitted to wonky types.

2 people found this helpful

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Dr. R. D. B. Laime

Propaganda

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2015

Verified Purchase

Pavlovian left-wing democrat(D).

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D. Singer

A fresh perspective on a bit of history

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2007

This is a must have book. Jeffery Feldman offers new and creative insight into famous speeches of our country's Presidents. Even more than fascinating to read, it opens your eyes to what you hear on the TV and read in papers. Politics and Issues in general are looked at in a new way after reading just part of this book. Democrats and Republicans alike gain new insight into our Presidents.

10 people found this helpful

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William Broadwater

Communicating Progressive Principles

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2007

Progressives have been less effective than consevatives in communicating political ideas. Progressives have focused on dryly presenting policies and programs without laying out the underlying values or principles with which voters could more readily identify. Feldman's book helps to remedy this shortcoming among progressives.

Feldman analyzes how 15 presidents have used frames in major speeches to convey big ideas. In so doing, he advises progressive politicians, activists and ordinary citizens how to use framing to persuasively communicate progressive principles. This book should be welcomed by progressives and all those interested in effective, genuine political communication.

4 people found this helpful

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