Frank Luntz

A Tale of Two Uninsureds: President Changes Number from 46-47 Million to 'Over 30 Million'
By Jeff Poor | September 10, 2009 | 6:40 AM EDT

What's 16-17 million uninsured among 300 million Americans?

Apparently not much to President Barack Obama, who slipped a not-so-subtle change to a statistic he had cited previously different during his Sept. 9 address to a joint session of Congress. The president pointed out there are "more than 30 million American citizens" who are having difficulty obtaining health insurance (emphasis added).

"We are the only advanced democracy on Earth - the only wealthy nation - that allows such hardships for millions of its people," Obama said. "There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage. In just a two year period, one in every three Americans goes without health care coverage at some point. And every day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage. In other words, it can happen to anyone."

After Giving Obama Round One, FNC's Luntz Gives Nod to Palin
By Noel Sheppard | October 3, 2008 | 2:04 PM EDT

With all the hysterical leftwing hyperbole about Fox News being a Republican talking points echo chamber, its post-debate coverage in the past week has been far more fair and balanced than others in the media.

Take for example FNC contributor and pollster Frank Luntz who having declared Barack Obama the victor of last Friday's presidential debate (video embedded below the fold) gave Sarah Palin the nod Thursday evening (video embedded right).

Wouldn't it be nice if most other media outlets could be so fair and balanced as opposed to the predictable sycophancy we're witnessing elsewhere:

Pollster Frank Luntz on Palin Pick
By NB Staff | September 3, 2008 | 3:07 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn.-- Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) should hope for an open-ended forum for her debate with Obama running mate Sen. Joe Biden, argued pollster Frank Luntz. The better for him to utter the inevitable golden Biden gaffe.

The key to the debate between Biden and Palin is to have it completely open. Becuase Joe Biden for the first 90 seconds is as good as it gets. He always makes the stupid comment at about two minutes and 30 seconds. [laughter]

CBS: Obama Has Chance to Be ‘Statesman,’ Show ‘Gravitas’
By Kyle Drennen | July 18, 2008 | 4:59 PM EDT

Maggie Rodriguez and Shelia Macvicar, CBS On Friday’s CBS "Early Show," correspondent Sheila MacVicar reported on Barack Obama’s upcoming international tour and declared: "...Senator Obama is taking to the skies to stride on the world stage. It's a chance for Americans to take a look at how he measures up as a statesman...it's an attempt to demonstrate he has the necessary gravitas to maneuver through diplomatic minefields, especially in the Middle East."

MacVicar then explained how well-received Obama’s troop withdrawal plan would be to the Iraqi people:

...people know he has proposed to withdraw all U.S. combat troops within 16 months. American presidents have not been popular here for nearly 20 years. But Iraqis say they do want U.S. troops to go home. 'I'm for withdraw now,' says this shopper. 'The Americans have caused all our problems.' 'If Obama's plan is true,' he says, 'we bless it. We need withdraw today.'

MacVicar then looked at the rest of Obama’s planned trip: "On to Europe where many are enthusiastic." She quoted one British citizen who claimed: "If there were a vote here in the UK he'd probably win something like 5-1." MacVicar concluded her report by observing: "There's no question...that even this far away Mister -- Senator Obama, more than any other recent presidential candidate, excites great interest."

FNC Shows Obama's Iran Flip-Flop, Colmes 'Might' Talk to Hitler
By Brad Wilmouth | May 23, 2008 | 8:47 PM EDT

Wednesday's Hannity and Colmes showed viewers clips of Barack Obama making contradictory statements from Sunday and Tuesday about whether Iran was a serious threat, with the Illinois Senator on Sunday saying "they don't pose a serious threat to us," but on Tuesday saying "Iran is a grave threat." Pollster Frank Luntz also sparred with FNC's liberal co-host Alan Colmes over whether it would be wise to meet with dictators like Mahmoud Ahma

Harry Smith: Hillary Will Boink Bill With Her 'Frying Pan'
By Mark Finkelstein | March 3, 2008 | 9:04 AM EST

Here at NB, we're not normally in the business of feeling sorry for MSMers like Harry Smith. But I can't help but express some sympathy for the Early Show anchor at the prospect of the feminist, Clintonite wrath that is likely to descend on his head after a comment he made this morning

Among the metaphors most likely to drive feminists up the wall is that of the angry woman yielding that symbol of domestic serfdom, the frying pan. But in discussing the prospect of Hillary's anger at Bill for his responsibility for her possibly impending defeat, Smith invoked . . . you guessed it. Harry was coffee klatsching with Dem consultant Joe Trippi and pollster Frank Luntz this morning, and it was the latter who first described Bill as a drag on Hillary's campaign. The issue was whether Clinton could stay in the race if she splits the Texas and Ohio primaries tomorrow.
JOE TRIPPI: I don't think she should get out if she wins Ohio and loses Texas but I think there will be pressure there.
FRANK LUNTZ: It didn't help her that her husband said that she's got to win both.
HARRY SMITH: Right.
LUNTZ: Bill has been -- I feel sorry for him the night, if she does pull out, he should not be at the home in Chappaqua.
That's when a chuckling Smith put his foot in it, even providing the sound effects.
CBS ‘Early Show’ Valentine for Barack Obama
By Kyle Drennen | February 14, 2008 | 3:06 PM EST

On Thursday’s CBS "Early Show," co-host Harry Smith introduced a fawning segment on Barack Obama: "On the campaign trail, Barack Obama is often treated like a rock star. People wait hours just to hear him speak." The segment did not focus on campaign strategy or policy, but rather it focused entirely on Obama’s rhetoric as correspondent Tracy Smith touted MSNBC’s Chris Matthews being "thrilled" by a speech from the Senator from Illinois:

TRACY SMITH: They come in droves, by the tens of thousands at times, to hear Barack Obama speak...With soaring rhetoric, Obama is moving his audiences not just politically, but emotionally. Even some political commentators who've seen it all can't help but gush.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You hear Barack Obama's speech, my -- I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often.

Olbermann Makes Fred Thompson 'Worst Person' for '72 Virgins' Joke
By Brad Wilmouth | January 13, 2008 | 5:51 PM EST

Add Keith Olbermann to the list of MSNBC hosts offended by popular applause lines from Thursday's GOP debate on FNC. On Friday's Countdown, the same day that Hardball's Chris Matthews had earlier compared Mike Huckabee's words regarding the U.S.

Matthews Sees 'Irresponsible' Huckabee 'Talking Like Jihadists'
By Brad Wilmouth | January 13, 2008 | 4:21 PM EST

On Friday's Hardball, during the show's regular "Big Number" segment, Chris Matthews went after Mike Huckabee for quipping during Thursday's FNC presidential debate that those who attack the American military should be prepared to see the "gates of hell," as the MSNBC host asked if we're all "learning to talk like jihadists now," and contended that Huckabee's comments earn him a "10" on the "irresponsibility