After years of careful testing and studying, PSYOP professionals have become incredibly knowledgeable and effective in determining the target audience and what small message is needed to send for the desired outcome. How a subject matter is portrayed in key public forums makes a difference and can substantially affect public perception and opinion. If a subject is portrayed a specific way in the right forum, it will be a major influencing factor.

As an example of how this type of subtle message works occurred during the October 2007 U.S. Presidential debate. Tim Russert, described as "the quintessential Washington insider" by the Washington Post asked Congressman Dennis Kucinich if he'd seen a UFO in a dismissive and trivializing way. The way the question was asked clearly stated to the world that the UFO subject was inappropriate and not worth serious consideration. Even Congressman Kucinich was forced to play down his actual UFO sighting in order to maintain some respectability.

It is important to note that nothing in U.S. Presidential politics is said or done without a specific reason. Russert holds a doctorate degree; he is well regarded as a journalist, and clearly a political pundit "in the know". He would not have made that type of statement without an intended rationale. These types of statements, in key forums, by key speakers are what create and maintain the "giggle factor" around UFOs. That is how attitudes and behaviors are reinforced using a subtle PSYOP. Of course it cannot be known if Russert's remarks were part of an actual PSYOP but it is certainly a clear example of how one would work.