Luntz inadvertently shows why Fox News prefers to call reconciliation the “nuclear option”

On tonight's Hannity, Fox News contributor and “Word Doctor” Frank Luntz appeared to make a very revealing error during his health care reform focus group segment.

As shown in the clip below, Luntz asked the focus group participants if Democrats “should try to get any health care through and accept 51 votes as being enough,” noting that, “it's called reconciliation.” At that point, close to half of the group raised their hands, apparently in agreement with this idea. After a brief pause, Luntz altered his question, asking who wanted Democrats to use the “so-called nuclear option.” At that point, several people in the focus group lowered their hands. Check out the video:

As Media Matters has repeatedly documented, “nuclear option” has been the preferred term for reconciliation on Fox News (and this is after they redefined what the “nuclear option” meant). And based on the negative reaction that is invoked by using “nuclear option” displayed in that clip, it's clear why.