n. A rebuttal, inserted into an argument, that refutes an anticipated counter-argument; a rebuttal given in advance of another's argument.
2003
When congressional Democrats asked Gov. Gary Locke of Washington to deliver the party's response to President Bush's State of the Union address, they ceded what could have been their highest-profile media moment of the year to someone who does not sit in the House or Senate. It was a mistake. …
Neither Locke's rebuttal nor a "prebuttal" by Senate Minority Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sounded like the sort of rip-roaring alternative that might energize opponents of the administration policies in Washington or beyond.
Neither Locke's rebuttal nor a "prebuttal" by Senate Minority Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sounded like the sort of rip-roaring alternative that might energize opponents of the administration policies in Washington or beyond.
1996
Scarcely a day goes by without fiercely uncomplacent White House staff rubbishing some new Republican idea; indeed, the riposte often comes before the Republicans have had time to speak, in the form of a "prebuttal".
1996 (earliest)
President Clinton's White House and campaign team have been drawing favorable reviews for their rapid response operation and penchant for picking off issues before Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.) even gets his TelePrompTer warmed up. Vice President Gore calls it "prebuttal."