Political High

I was at a local candidate debate put on by the League of Women Voters today.  The nice ladies alloted 90 minutes for the four house candidates and two senate candidates.

I believe the candidates had two minutes to answer each question.

Two minutes in 2008 is an eternity.  Frankly, most of us can’t pay attention for much longer than that.

One of the candidates, an incumbent, talked so fast I could hardly understand them.

Certainly even politicians get a touch of the nerves in public forums.  But if the candidate had talked any faster, I think my head would have exploded.

Which brings up the lesson for today.  Candidates, talk slower!

Not slowly, but deliberatively yet conversationally.

You must be understood if you wish to pursuade.

How to do this?

• Video tape your performances at forums and speeches then review them.
• Ask a friend who is not a political wonk to see if they can understand you.
• Relax.  Learn to meditate, even if it is for :30 before you begin.  A calm demeanor will translate into not speaking at warp speed.
• Listen carefully to the question and your opponents answers before answering yourself.  This too will slow you down as well as help you formulate a better response.
• Make a note on a note card or pad to remind you to slow down.

I think you’ll find that by speaking fewer words you’ll be understood better by the voters.

One of the first things I was told as a new lawyer by an accomplishedand  experienced lawyer was this: “The “A” lawyers are always prepared.”

In other words, win or lose, the really good lawyers go into court or a deposition knowing their file and the law.

That, of course, takes work.

The same thing is true as a candidate when you’re getting ready for a debate.  (Or if you are the staff person responsible for getting the candidate ready for the debate.)

In the midst of a campaign, the candidate is not going to want to sit down for an hour or more to prep for a debate.  Of course they know the issues!  And there is money to raise and hands to shake.

All true.

But there is no reason to be unprepared.  You’re going to know the likely questions from either the moderator, citizens, or the other candidate.  You probably even know about “that rumor” that someone might try to spring on you in a debate or forum.

So be prepared.  I think General Dwight Eisenhower said that you have to plan even if you have to toss the plan.  Planning (or in this case, preparing) forces you to learn, store, categorize, and recall information.

You can also come up with those “one liners” that zing the opposition (I.e., John McCain, “Sen. Obama, if you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.”) .  You just have them stored, ready to go if needed.

Knowing and rehersing your responses will ease nerves, create confidence, make for more concise responses, and provide polish.

So, don’t let your candidate duck out on debate preparation.