It’s interesting that the retirement age increase was the one policy prescription that had inaccurate results. Because that’s precisely the policy that politicians on both sides of the aisle, from John Boehner to Steny Hoyer, have forwarded as a possible solution to Social Security’s “problem.” Whether this was a coincidental mis-tabulation or not, the support in DC for this age increase, which represents a benefit cut of up to 20%, tracks with the supposed “support” at the America Speaks meetings, now seen to be inaccurate.

The paper from Northwestern University Political scientists Benjamin Page and Lawrence Jacobs is quite interesting, if you’re interested in this topic it’s worth reading. America Speaks created an artificial “fish bowl” of faux-public opinion, narrowed the range of options, and then touted the results as more “deliberative” than a poll. This is flawed political science, and it’s good to see that community recognize it.

The America Speaks meetings held in 19 cities across the country today, funded to the tune of $1 billion dollars by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, were a study in how subtle messaging and deficit hyping can mold and shape opinions that move the public toward right-wing solutions about slashing social spending. Despite an insistence of neutrality, organizers of this series of town hall meetings allowed their agenda to show through, particularly in their presentation of options for how to deal with the nation’s fiscal future. But attendees in Los Angeles and around the country weren’t totally buying it in the first half of the meeting.

The basic premise of America Speaks is that budget deficits are dooming us and must be stopped. That premise is wrong and fraudulent. Here’s why.

Pete Peterson isn’t stupid — he’s going to try and block any rabble-rousers from entry to the America Speaks town halls, and turn these events into infomercials. But at least MoveOn, among the largest progressive groups out there, is taking this on directly. I’m told the AFL-CIO will also pitch in.