The Art Of The “Spin”

10 Zen Monkeys takes a detailed look at President George Bush and, in very specific terms, explores whether he “spun like Nixon.” An intriguing must-read.

Spin has become an artform in the United States. It’s an art form in which the spinners barely disguise that they’re spinning, those who report the spin know it’s spinning but don’t always awknowledge it, and many members of the public (on both sides) know it’s spinning. But somehow what is uttered — even if it’s a fair assumption to believe that it is said because it’s what is expected to be said — is what’s important now. To go through the motions of spin is enough for some people. Then some partisans will take that spin, and run with it, broadcasting it far and wide.

In the 21st century we are in the era of the spin — and “the wink.” The easiest way to spot “the wink” is to watch the Sunday morning talking head TV show round tables where journalistic and op-ed bigwigs discuss the issues. There’s a sort of insider’s smile and wink about what someone REALLY means or why they REALLY are doing something (why, those colorful rascals!). Talk about how an assertion advances a strategy (or doesn’t) is what’s paramount. The actual content — the policy — often takes back seat (unless it applies to Iraq where spin is increasingly unveiled, not amusing and not allowed a pass anymore).

The worst thought: if spin is accelerating in American politics, and if this trend continues in the same direction, what will politics be like in five or (perish the thought) 10 years?