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Newsnight

Frank Luntz - kingmaker?

  • Newsnight
  • 11 Dec 06, 12:41 PM

cameron203tie.jpgIt was suggested in that US pollster Frank Luntz's focus group for Newsnight during the Conservative Party leadership election propelled David Cameron from nowhere to become party leader.

We thought Luntz perspicacious for spotting Cameron's appeal - but (author of the Observer piece) suggests Luntz was instrumental in creating that appeal and seems to think that but for Newsnight Cameron would not be heading the Conservative party at all. It sparked furious debate on the Observer's website.

You can watch Frank Luntz's piece here (and watch his other Newsnight films ).

So did Frank Luntz really annoint David Cameron or just pick him out of the line-up? What do you think?

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  • 2.
  • At 04:40 PM on 11 Dec 2006,
  • Mills wrote:

The Observer also criticises Luntz's methods. I used to do lots of focus groups when I was a student - you got paid (usually about 拢25) and fed and watered (sandwiches and beer) and it's true that Luntz method for the Newsnight groups was odd. I have never been to a focus group of more than about 8 people. It makes it hard for the marketeers to nail down who's saying what and for them to stop more vociferous people naturally taking a lead.

Having said that the idea that the Tories picked Cameron because he came out top on a newsnight poll seems slightly absurd.

Cameron won because of all the candidates he was the one with least back story and therefore fewest cliques operating against him. Davis, Fox, Clarke and Rifkind all had to much Tory baggage.

So no, it wasn't Luntz wot won it. It was Tory desperation and infighting.

  • 3.
  • At 11:24 PM on 11 Dec 2006,
  • Philip wrote:

[From the Observer] 'But British pollsters tell me that Luntz's work for Newsnight shouldn't have been allowed to influence a parish council election, never mind the future of a great party.'

Harsh, but fair.

Although this was really not meant to be anything to be taken too seriously. No opinion poll should.

What has happened here is luck - defined as 'preparation meeting opportunity'.

Steve Hilton gave Cameron the preparation. When that came across this 'just for fun' focus group it latched onto some of the points which Cameron had worked on, to the detriment of his opponents.

I don't think Newsnight is to blame - Leaders need luck - they wouldn't be in leadership if they didn't have it.

  • 4.
  • At 11:40 PM on 11 Dec 2006,
  • Matt wrote:

Frank Luntz? What this one?

  • 5.
  • At 06:39 PM on 13 Dec 2006,
  • ganga wrote:

here is my favorite vegan recipe.

five
red potatoes
one pound of green beans or long chinese beans
three medium tamotoes
three cloves of garlic (smashed)
one table spoon of ginger (smashed)
oil
tumeric
chilly powder
cumin powder
mustard seed (pinch)
cumin seeds ( 1/2 a teaspoon
red dry chilly (five)
corriander
Preparation:


cut potatoes into small cubes (soak in cold water)
cut beans into 1/1/2 inch size (wash in cold water
cut tamatoes into small pieces
chop your corriander (make sure you wash it throughly as there tends to be lots of sand)


take a wide open nonstick saucepan.

1. put 1/3 cup of oil
when the oil is hot, fry mustard, cumin seeds and then the dry chillies.

then quickly put the potatoes and fry tthem in medium heat, put tumeric and ssalt. cover the potatoes but DO NOT AADD WATER, when the potates are half way cooked put the beans, cook for couple a minutes and then add tamatoes, corriander, chopped garlic, ginger, chillipowder, cumin powder, stir it and cook it uncovered for a little bit, and then you can cover it sterring occasionally.

walla, yum, yum

  • 6.
  • At 04:11 PM on 14 Dec 2006,
  • some one wrote:

English language is very important and knowledge experience .
But anyone looking jobs more important English but not important knowledge experience this very bad.
Aim very sorry nurses east European will not be allow working nhs because I English
Interviewer more important English not knowledge and experience
There are lot ignores Peole work UN safe Peole in nhs because of because they can speak English with high position.
I was shock the way doing dressing break all the low sterile procure simple example.
Peole can not speak we need most well to work in order to improve and mix with Peole but not isolation humiliation and make funny.
We need encourage and welcome to with Peole can speak. Not racism because of English.

god bless ukand save

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