A Lesson In Spin

We should be very familiar with the concept of "message shaping" or spin. We are immersed in it. Sometime it is for the benefit of a particular party or politician. That is self-serving of course, but it might also be instructive regarding aspects of the debate which might not have been readily apparent.

I commented previously on CPAC's carnival of conservative self-styled ideology shapers. I don't think the whole exercise has any meaning whatsoever. Just like the Iowa caucus, conducted in a small mid-western, lily-white, fundamentalist, agricultural state without a major metropolitan area over 220,000 people. The state is totally unrepresentative of the American electorate and disproportionally influential on the outcome of Presidential primaries. Yet, both events are important in our convoluted selection process.

Here's how to make something out of next to nothing in terms of interpretation:

Winners May Lose, Losers May Win

You see some success stories downplayed and demeaned. You see some marginal performances puffed up and exaggerated. You see little depth to the judgments beyond a quick summary of reactions from various pundits who go unnamed.

I agree with some of it and push a bit of it to arm's length. Which is which?

Agree:

1. Ron Paul is out of the mainstream except with the CPAC fringe.
2. Mitt Romney is strong going in because of name recognition and established base.
3. Rick Perry is no fool and can toss red meat with the best of them. 
4. Mitch Daniels is a relative unknown with great appeal. 
5. Michelle Bachman is a second tier rock-star who shows well only in the absence of Palin. 
6. Chris Christie is a sensible conservative who unfortunately is fat. 
7. Orin Hatch is yesterday's news. He's this go-around's iteration of McCain or Dole. 

Disagree:

1. Rick Santorum shouldn't be ignored.
2. John Bolton should have been mentioned, not as Presidential but as a policy genius with vast experience. 
3. Ignoring the fundamental difference between Tea Party activists and social conservatives is a disservice to both. It was fiscal and traditional small-government that won this election, not abortion, marriage and prayer in schools. 
4. Failure to note the basic demographics of CPAC in the evaluation of the outcomes. 

The coming year will be interesting to say the least.