Don’t Think Of An Elephant: Know Your Values And Frame The Debate

Praise for The ALL NEW Don’t Think of an Elephant! “When the original Don’t Think of an Elephant! came out in 2004, Lakoff showed us that progressive Democrats voted on values, not issues—just like the right. Now, Dr. Lakoff is back to prevent a relapse of bad framing. The ALL NEW Don’t Think of an Elephant! is a must read, every bit as important as the first edition. This time we have to train ourselves to think for the long term. Buy this book, memorize it, and teach it to your children. Progressives may be smart, but we don’t communicate our ideas well. This book is the blueprint for how to do better.” —HOWARD DEAN, former chair of the Democratic National Committee and founder of Democracy for America “Lakoff single-handedly convinced liberals of the importance of language in winning political battles. Now he’s back to finish what he started.” —MARKOS MOULITSAS, founder and publisher, Daily Kos “The All New Don’t Think of an Elephant! is an indispensable tool for progressives—packed with new thinking on framing issues that are hotly debated right now, and new insights on how to reclaim the political debate on meaningful terms that can yield true progress, not just political gains.” —JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM, former governor of Michigan Praise for the first edition, Don’t Think of an Elephant! “It’s not enough that we have reason on our side. We also have to use words and images powerful enough to persuade others. Lakoff offers crucial lessons in how to counter right-wing demagoguery. Essential reading in this neoOrwellian age of Bush-speak.” —ROBERT REICH, author, Aftershock, former US Secretary of Labor “Fascinating insights into why progressives lose good causes and how they can start winning again. You will never listen to a political speech the same way after reading this book.” —TINA BROWN, cofounder, The Daily Beast “Don’t let anyone tell you that the words don’t make a difference; they can evoke the best and the worst in us. Read this book and be part of transforming our political dialogue to support our highest ideals and speak to the hearts of Americans.” —JOAN BLADES and WES BOYD, MoveOn.org “Ever wonder how the radical right has been able to convince average Americans to repeatedly vote against their own interests? It’s the framing, stupid! Don’t Think of an Elephant! is a pithy and powerful primer on the language of American politics, and a vital reminder that he who creates the political framework controls the picture that’s put inside. It’s also a detailed roadmap out of the mess we are in. Lakoff shows how progressives can reclaim the political narrative—and, in the process, change our country and our world for the better.” —ARIANNA HUFFINGTON, cofounder and editor-in-chief, The Huffington Post “This is a pocket manifesto for those who still wonder how a small group of rich, powerful oligarchs tied together the shoelaces of the progressive movement. Read it once, and know why we are losing. Read it twice, and we can restore sanity to the world.” —PAUL HAWKEN, author of Natural Capitalism “Don’t Think of an Elephant! is a work of genius. As George Lakoff explains how the right has framed the notion of the political center, he presents both the most original and the most practical analysis of United States politics in many years.” —GEORGE AKERLOF, Nobel Prize winner in Economics “George Lakoff’s Don’t Think of an Elephant! is a wonderful example of what happens when you combine a linguist’s ear for the subtleties of language with an understanding of the complexities of modern politics and a commitment to progressive ideals. Whether you think of yourself as a liberal, a progressive, or simply someone with an interest in how political language works, this is a must read.” —GEOFFREY