When the Dummy Wins the Debate

The strawman is one of the most powerful rhetorical tools in any argument, and it’s used a lot these days to fortify dubious conclusions. The person using a strawman will twist an argument into something that is easy to refute, and then use that sentiment to apply to something else.

For example, consider a discussion between two people that goes like this:
Dave: I think we need common-sense background checks for firearms.
Bob: So you want to take everyone’s guns away and leave us defenseless?
Dave: No, that’s not what I’m saying …

At that point, Bob uses Dave’s denial, not as clarification, but as confirmation that his exaggerated claim is valid. It’s a rhetorical sleight of hand: Dave is no longer debating policy; he’s defending himself from a false accusation. This is the strawman in action.

The term “strawman” comes from military training exercises where soldiers practiced bayonet thrusts on straw-filled dummies. It was easier to stab straw than flesh, and over time, the exercise risked convincing soldiers they were ready for combat. In an argument, a strawman is just as deceptive; it’s an easy target designed to mimic the real thing, but ultimately a poor substitute for engaging with your opponent’s actual position.

In today’s culture wars, strawman arguments are everywhere—wielded not just by politicians and pundits, but by everyday people who often don’t realize they’ve fallen into a rhetorical trap. Political parties routinely distort their opponents' legitimate concerns, twisting them into absurd or extreme positions to justify their talking points. What results are caricatures, not conversations, misrepresentations crafted to inflame, divide, and discredit rather than engage or inform.

We live in an era of rhetorical warfare, where it’s easier to attack a caricature than to debate an idea in good faith. But if we want to heal our fractured discourse, each of us must take responsibility. That means listening carefully, questioning convenient narratives, and refusing to mistake the strawman for the truth.