Essential: A comprehensive list of Propaganda techniques.

http://archives.mcad.edu/POLITPROP/palace/library/proptech.html

As the primaries and campaign heats up, I believe it is very important for us to be aware of the following techniques. There is a whole slew of them listed at the link, but here are some key highlights.

Bandwagon and Inevitable Victory. Bandwagon-and-inevitable-victory appeals attempt to persuade the target audience to take a course of action "everyone else is taking." "Join the crowd." This technique reinforces people's natural desire to be on the winning side. This technique is used to convince the audience that a program is an expression of an irresistible mass movement and that it is in their interest to join. "Inevitable victory" invites those not already on the bandwagon to join those already on the road to certain victory. Those already, or partially, on the bandwagon are reassured that staying aboard is the best course of action.

Obtain Disapproval. This technique is used to get the audience to disapprove an action or idea by suggesting the idea is popular with groups hated, feared, or held in contempt by the target audience. Thus, if a group which supports a policy is led to believe that undesirable, subversive, or contemptible people also support it, the members of the group might decide to change their position.

Glittering Generalities. Glittering generalities are intensely emotionally appealing words so closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason. They appeal to such emotions as love of country, home; desire for peace, freedom, glory, honor, etc. They ask for approval without examination of the reason. Though the words and phrases are vague and suggest different things to different people, their connotation is always favorable: "The concepts and programs of the propagandist are always good, desirable, virtuous."
Generalities may gain or lose effectiveness with changes in conditions. They must, therefore, be responsive to current conditions. Phrases which called up pleasant associations at one time may evoke unpleasant or unfavorable connotations at another, particularly if their frame of reference has been altered.

Transfer. This is a technique of projecting positive or negative qualities (praise or blame) of a person, entity, object, or value (an individual, group, organization, nation, patriotism, etc.) to another in order to make the second more acceptable or to discredit it. This technique is generally used to transfer blame from one member of a conflict to another. It evokes an emotional response which stimulates the target to identify with recognized authorities.

I especially enjoy observing political "vapid" talk where you simply replace "Republican" with "Democrat" and vice versi. Examples: (Just replace X/Y with your favorite pro/con entity)

X thinks they can get away with anything. Y knows that actions have consequences.

X will say or do anything to get elected. Y will stick to their promises.

X makes decisions based on emotion, Y makes decisions based on reason.

X is a liar. Y tells the truth.

X is in the pocket of special interests. Y keeps the American people as their #1 interest

X only cares about power. Y is a humble servant of the people.

X is unpatriotic. Y is patriotic.

X is arrogant. Y is a humble servant of the people.