Political High

Gen. Colin Powell’s endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for President is that rare endorsement that has immediate results.  Obama’s already unbelievable fund raising effort got an even bigger boost.

Plus, when someone described as the “Black Eisenhower” endorses you, people are going to take notice.  Powell is respected by Americans of all walks.  As a major Republican endorsing a major Democrat, Barack got quite the coup.  It may also help sway undecided Independent voters.

On an endorsement scale of 1 to 10, this is a 10.

But most candidates don’t get an endorsement of this magnitude.  It might be a former well-regarded legislator or a union or the local paper.

Sometimes, there may be people or organizations you DON’T want to endorse you because of their negatives.

But for the most part, endorsements are a good thing.  But don’t rely on that to do your heavy campaign lifting.

Endorsements from groups, in my opinion, carry the most weight.  They might have money attached.  And the group will contact its membership and sing your praises.  I think that’s an endorsement that has legs.

Endorsements from former political leaders can be helpful.  However, for new or younger voters, the endorsement might be meaningless as they have no idea who the endorser is.

But on the whole, getting endorsements is better than not getting endorsements.  They are another tool in your election tool box that, if used correctly, can help put you over the top.  Just don’t expect General Powell!

Ok, I admit it.  I think Gov. Sarah Palin has no business being Vice President or President.

But you know what?  She’s actually pretty funny and a good sport.

How do I know that?  Because she was on Saturday Night Live last night.

Campaigns are grueling, no matter what level.  There’s never enough time to do everything that needs to be done.  The candidate is under a microscope.  They are heaped with criticism.

As Palin showed last night–and as Senators Barack Obama and John McCain showed Thursday night at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Trust Dinner- -humor, particularly humor turned on yourself, helps to humanize the candidate.

In so many ways, candidates have to be so careful about what they say.  But when they laugh at themselves, like look like real people.

So, when appropirate, throw a little humor into your campaign, particularly about yourself.  It is a tension breaker and personality maker.

Here’s one of Palin’s bits last night: