The dog-whistle dictionary for the 2012 GOP.

[Lunabelle]

By Sarah Posner

When appealing to Christian conservatives, Republican presidential candidates sometimes use phrases, rhetoric and imagery that are unknown to voters unfamiliar either with the religious meaning of such language or where they fit in the mythology of the "Christian nation." Thus candidates can signal sympathy with religious conservatives without making overt appeals that might alienate more secular voters.

Such phrases have become popularly known as "dog whistles," a reference to the high-pitched devices that emit sounds inaudible to humans but attention-grabbing for canines.

The candidates for the GOP's 2012 nomination have used dog-whistle phrases in previous debates and may again in the debate tonight at the Reagan Library. Here is guide to what to listen for and what these phrases mean...

http://www.salon.com/news/2012_elections/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2011/09/07/dog_whistle_dictionary

[eleny]

1. Thanks, Lunabelle

And a belated welcome to DU. :hi:

[TeamsterDem]

2. As incomplete as it is, it's a good starting point

Some others are:

Welfare reform: We don't like poor people, especially minorities
Reducing regulation: Let 'em dump whatever and also, no one can join unions
The "Democrat" Party: We're 4 years old mentally, so we think that diminishes them in some petty way
"Loving America": We'd love to make it like 1822 (date picked almost at random except notably before slavery was illegal & women could vote)
Family values: No gays, no alternative music, no TV shows we don't like, and even if you're raped you're keeping that baby
Ronald Reagan: We have no idea what he stood for, but he was a Republican and he busted unions. Sold!
Defending America: Bomb non-white people, preferably those with some commodity
National Security: What Bill of Rights?
Border Security: We don't like non-whites.

There are others. But those are the most common.

[eleny]

3. The article focused on the Christian themed ones

And thanks for this list. You know we'll hear these tonight, for sure.

[TeamsterDem]

4. And tomorrow. And the day after. etc. LOL. nt

[w0nderer]

5. good, these will help me n/t

[MisterP]

6. also "law-abiding"

[wakemewhenitsover]

7. Great article. Thanks for posting.

:thumbsup:

[Chorophyll]

8. Good info. Thanks for posting. nt