Matthew C. Nisbet, Ph.D, is a professor in the School of Communication at American University where his research focuses on the intersections between science, media, and politics. E-MAIL: nisbetmc@gmail.com. For more information, check out his 
In a segment from the recent Frontline special "Hot Politics," GOP pollster Frank Luntz explains his 1997/1998 memo that became the playbook for how conservatives like President Bush and Senator James Inhofe redefined climate change as really a matter of "scientific uncertainty" and "unfair economic burden." (Luntz says he has since changed his views on climate change.) We detail the strategy and its impact on public opinion in our Framing Science thesis and in our talks as part of the Speaking Science 2.0 tour.
Below you can watch a clip of Senator Inhofe's appearance on Fox & Friends back in February just before the release of this year's first IPCC report. Inhofe stays on message with the "scientific uncertainty" and "economic burden" frames adding that climate change is really a campaign driven by the "far left" and "Hollywood elitists and the United Nations." It's a great example of how conservative strategists take advantage of framing and a fragmented media system to engage key audiences.
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