While it was written for the creationism/evolution argument, this[1] article is one of the better descriptions of this mode of thought.
While the typical HN reader uses language to convey ideas, to the creationist or the RNC attendees on John Oliver's show language instead is used first for phatic expression and social hierarchy. This is a language barrier; one side argues facts, while the other side defers to authority and feelings. Before any real communication can happen between the two sides, you first have to solve the language barrier.
[1] http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2007/05/31/more-than-just-resi...