We are in the season of that harvest, and what shall be reaped – you
never know from day-to-day. A Political Primary is like a blood sport,
the greatest reality TV there is. Who cares about ice hockey or
football when you have Newt.
We in business know the value of a Script. We have one in front of us when we make sales calls, which typically shows some history and research. We use a Script to explain to an employee body shifting policies and procedures. We certainly have something at eye level when we address a crowd, for it is the rare speaker who moves the speech along with benefit of notes, index cards or the like. Most of us do not have the benefit of the tele-promptor. However, these Republican gents, working the crowds in Iowa, New Hampshire and, soon, South Carolina and Florida, pretty much have their positions down and memorized and trumpet a unique ability to circle back to their dogmas and positions, no matter the question or context. Boring, but what agility!
Public speaking is nerve-wracking enough for most of us. You do it because you must, as circumstances demand, and certainly the higher up you are in the organization, the greater emphasis on communication and speeches. It goes with the territory. Beyond practicing a speech or presentation, over and over, I try to picture my audience in their underwear – not for salacious reasons, but more to even the game. This helps to remove the “scared to death” syndrome. But, then comes the Q&A, where one must be on their toes and guard in order to parry the audience thrusts. You can really get into trouble here. You try to be honest, succinct with your response, but when the event is over, you always think, “I wish I had said X differently”. Not a mistake, rather greater clarity.
It is all part of the process, but can you imagine all those recorders, cameras and note pads, watching your every move, word, gesture – all in the name of learning about the candidate and why they are different and deserve my vote. Mostly, we are looking for that gaffe, of which there are certainly plenty. What great fun.
You can see why the best and the brightest do not want to have anything to do with this process and subsequent invasion of privacy and family. Plus, when we tally up the cost of all this activity at year end, we also might learn that all the money which supported the blarney could pay off the National Debt. That is really disturbing.
Every four years we have this theater – a vaudevillian political troupe which travels state to state. We are informed, we are entertained, perhaps (remotely) even transformed. Personally, I think there are few voters who have not made up their minds – just a good story line to keep the tension and air of excitement.
We can poke holes and criticisms all we want, but the process is still the best in the free world, although, sadly, influenced by the largest checkbook. The platforms get tiresome, but the mistakes and personal exchanges are lively. Damage control becomes an art form, with “teachable moments” abounding. There are some terrific characters in this Republican cadre of candidates, and that shall be winnowed. Then the big show starts in earnest this summer. Find a good seat, butter that popcorn, get comfortable, crank the A/C. This could be a Barn Burner, aiming towards November!
We in business know the value of a Script. We have one in front of us when we make sales calls, which typically shows some history and research. We use a Script to explain to an employee body shifting policies and procedures. We certainly have something at eye level when we address a crowd, for it is the rare speaker who moves the speech along with benefit of notes, index cards or the like. Most of us do not have the benefit of the tele-promptor. However, these Republican gents, working the crowds in Iowa, New Hampshire and, soon, South Carolina and Florida, pretty much have their positions down and memorized and trumpet a unique ability to circle back to their dogmas and positions, no matter the question or context. Boring, but what agility!
Public speaking is nerve-wracking enough for most of us. You do it because you must, as circumstances demand, and certainly the higher up you are in the organization, the greater emphasis on communication and speeches. It goes with the territory. Beyond practicing a speech or presentation, over and over, I try to picture my audience in their underwear – not for salacious reasons, but more to even the game. This helps to remove the “scared to death” syndrome. But, then comes the Q&A, where one must be on their toes and guard in order to parry the audience thrusts. You can really get into trouble here. You try to be honest, succinct with your response, but when the event is over, you always think, “I wish I had said X differently”. Not a mistake, rather greater clarity.
It is all part of the process, but can you imagine all those recorders, cameras and note pads, watching your every move, word, gesture – all in the name of learning about the candidate and why they are different and deserve my vote. Mostly, we are looking for that gaffe, of which there are certainly plenty. What great fun.
You can see why the best and the brightest do not want to have anything to do with this process and subsequent invasion of privacy and family. Plus, when we tally up the cost of all this activity at year end, we also might learn that all the money which supported the blarney could pay off the National Debt. That is really disturbing.
Every four years we have this theater – a vaudevillian political troupe which travels state to state. We are informed, we are entertained, perhaps (remotely) even transformed. Personally, I think there are few voters who have not made up their minds – just a good story line to keep the tension and air of excitement.
We can poke holes and criticisms all we want, but the process is still the best in the free world, although, sadly, influenced by the largest checkbook. The platforms get tiresome, but the mistakes and personal exchanges are lively. Damage control becomes an art form, with “teachable moments” abounding. There are some terrific characters in this Republican cadre of candidates, and that shall be winnowed. Then the big show starts in earnest this summer. Find a good seat, butter that popcorn, get comfortable, crank the A/C. This could be a Barn Burner, aiming towards November!
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