Talking Points in the United States

Talking Points (in Politics)

Related to political science, the following is a definition of Talking Points in the U.S. practice of politics: A clear and concise list of ideas making up a politician’s main arguments in a speech. They’re typically used as a guide and not read word-for-word.

William Safire noted that he first heard the phrase as a White House speechwriter when President Nixon would often say, “Never mind preparing formal remarks for this bunch, just give me a page of talking points.”