Think Progress is doing a great job of dissecting the so-called "Luntz Playbook" (8 MB ZIP file), a manual on advancing the right-wing agenda written by conservative strategist and general Tool of Evil Frank Luntz.
A couple of the strategies...
1) Everything is about 9/11.
Oh, yes, he advises preying on the emotions tied to the terrorist attacks to distract Americans from the truth about the economy, writing, "Much of the public anger can be immediately pacified if they are reminded that we would not be in this situation today if 9/11 had not happened." It's also an easy way to get President Bush off the hook: Luntz points out that convincing people that the struggling economy is a consequence of 9/11 (as opposed to, say, Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy) will convince people "it is unfair to blame the current political leadership"
Finally, Luntz advises, 9/11 is the perfect way to dodge responsibility for sinking the country in red ink. In a section headed "Without the context of 9-11, you will be blamed for the deficit," he points out "supporters are inherently turned off to the idea of fiscal irresponsibility." The best way to counter that fact? "The trick then is to contextualize the deficit inside of 9/11."
2) Lying Works, Keep it Up!
That's right! Government has no responsibility to disabuse the public of false perceptions! Encourage them! It works!