issue control tactics

The issue control tactics Cheney et al. list in Box 10.6 (p. 287) ring true for me, although I am curious about the research on which the list is based. I searched for a footnote in that section of the chapter, but I couldn't find one.

Although these are applied to the organizational context, they seem even more relevant to political communication. The debates are over for the current presidential campaign, but the rhetorical jousting for votes will continue up until election day. Directing attention away from an issue is a common tactic. Both nominees used this strategy to respond to questions they didn't want to answer or to press an issue they thought was more important. The clearest example of limiting access to information is McCain's refusal to disclose his medical records (there's concern over his treatment for melanoma). Some have argued that Obama has not been forthright in his disclosure about associations with Bill Ayers.

Defining what type of information is considered relevant was a tactic frequently used in the debates, with each arguing the other's evidence was irrelevant, wrong, or misleading and then presenting his own evidence. The creating fear of raising an issue tactic has been applied to race and age. Creating criteria for decisions or priorities that frame the decision has been used to tote the advantages of each candidate's tax and health plans. Defining the problem, decision, or conflict in definitive terms has been applied to the economic crisis, the Iraq war, and health care (to name a few issues).

Cheney et al. point out that these tactics allow communicators to covertly exercise power and avoid or suppress conflict. What's frustrating for voters when politicians use these tactics is the lack of real discussion and debate over complex issues.

~ Professor Cyborg