Dog Whistle Politics

Dog Whistle Politics is a great phrase. It has everything: It is a code word, it sounds cute, and three is no mention of cats.

Think about what a dog whistle is. A dog whistle has such a high pitch that only a dog can hear the sound. So, what is Dog Whistle Politics? Quite simply it is saying something supposedly populist while your followers hear a different message. It sounds like Dog Whisperer stuff, but political.

I am sure I have heard the phrase, but I had not really listened. Of course the whistle was above my ability to hear. Remember, I am neither Democrat, Republican, or even see myself as an independent. I only believe in one issue, term limits (one term in office for each term in prison).

Dog Whistle Politics is hardly politics as usual. Speaking to your base supporters should not need to be in code. So why should a politician need to hide their message? The only time is when their base supporters or at least the ones that put them over the top on election day, are less than desirable. As an example, folks that wear sheets or would if that was socially acceptable (we are not talking toga parties). In other words, people that hate, have prejudices, or are otherwise not in the mainstream.

Recently the Governor of Virginia announced that it was Confederite History month. They say the dog whistle was that he did not mention slavery. Same thing in Texas, who really had very little to do with the Confederate War, but still a big Republican state and thus a Dog Whistle message to its Republican base. Of course the other big base is Christian. We should not be all gung-ho about the good old days of slavery, but we can talk about history. Make one group happy with the Dog Whistle while avoiding exposing prejudice to the other by wrapping it in a warm blanket of history.

Now that you have had this little lesson, are these Dog Whistle Politics:

• Not voting for any progressive cause, because you missed a vote (voting with your feet) so that you are not on record for being against a progressive cause.
• Voting against a progressive cause, because of a supposed pork item, not the cause (sounds like the no's on the healthcare reform act).

Know of any more examples? Comment below!





Dog Whistle Politics' and Journalism: Reporting Arabic and Muslim People in Sydney Newspapers