30 September 2005
Bill Bennett and the First Law in Public Debate
Yoest, Yoest, Bennett, c. 1998
Bill Bennett, host of Bill Bennett’s Morning in America made a statement in his morning commentary and made a story in main stream media.
He said, words to the effect, if every black child were aborted we’d have less crime.
His transgression was not merely the unfortunate unknown terrible cause and effect, but that Dr. Bennett violated the First Law in Public Debate known by media savvy professionals:
1) Don’t do Hypotheticals.
If a question or a rebuttal starts with, “If” change the subject. If you are thinking “If” change you mind.
“I don’t deal in hypotheticals,” is the only verbiage used if “If” comes up.
Bill Bennett is guilty of nothing else.
Full Disclosure: Your Business Blogger was awarded his very first consulting contract in a minor role for Bill Bennett when he was Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan.
Thank you (foot)notes:
Ace has Freakonomics backstory.
Junkyard Dog has busybody in chief.
Outside The Beltway has more on Bennett.
Right Voices has making a point?
Mudville Gazette has Open Post.
Drakeview has this week’s Carnival of the Capitalists.
The Political Teen has Open Trackbacks.
Captain Ed has Bogus Journey.
La Shawn Barber is thinking about writing on Bennett. She could add to the debate.
Leave a comment: