Debatable, II
I missed recapping last week's Bush/Kerry deathmatch because of my desire to get out of town. I'm not going to go into it now. At least not in detail.
I thought it was clear John Kerry won the first debate. At the same time, I was amazed to find most members of the media (with the notable absence of Fox News) agreeing with me. Even uber-con Joe Scarborough had to admit Bush blew it.
And that's what it really comes down. I was ready for Kerry to sink like a stone. I figured he would be stiff, his language and logic would be convoluted, and that he'd continually run over the time limit. Instead, I found him strong and clear. I've been impatient with Kerry in recent weeks, but at the debate I thought he was in good form. Granted, neither he nor Bush answered questions that didn't suit their needs, instead resorting to pre-screened responses they could shoehorn in, but that seems to be SOP this political season.
Bush, on the other hand, beat himself. I'm teaching a public speaking course this semester, and that Thursday we were discussing delivery. Bush fell into nearly every trap I warn my students against. His people tell us that he's not running for President of the Debating Team. But these weren't debating errors, they were common public speaking errors. Bush is no Great Communicator, but he's usually good in front of crowds. Better than John Kerry. Not last Thursday.
Rule One: Do not lean on the podium. Speakers like to do this, thinking it makes them look folksy and relaxed. And if you're Bill Clinton, maybe you can pull it off. But 9 times out of 10 it makes you look weak. Bush was not just leaning on the podium, he was leaning into it. His shoulders were hunched, and it looked like he needed the podium for support. Kerry, on the other hand, stood tall. Without saying a word, he looked more in control than Bush.
Rule Two: Watch the water. I didn't notice this as much as other commentators, who scored it, Kerry: one sip, Bush: four glasses. Be sure you're properly hydrated before you start. Constantly reaching for the water makes you look nervous and unsure of yourself. This plagued John Edwards on Tuesday. (That and the camel tongue that lolled out following every sip.) Drinking water is the corollary to flop sweat. You look guilty.
Rule Three: Don't apologize. Saying "It's hard work" once is recognition of the daunting task ahead of us. Saying it 11 times (by Joe Scarborough's count on MSNBC) makes you seem like you're not up for the job. This is similar to telling your audience, "I'm really nervous." We would be nervous, but we don't want you to be.
Rule Four: Say what you have to say. Then stop. One of the reasons Cheney was successful was that he didn't feel a need to fill the entire two minutes or ninety seconds. Better to be clear and finished than long-winded and muddy. Or worse, to run out of time because your second, unrelated point, takes too long. Or even worse, to jump in and then have nothing to say. Let the moderator decide - according to the rules you devised - when to allow the additional 30 seconds. Otherwise you look desperate.
All Purpose Rule Five: Nonverbal communication trumps verbal communication every time. According to research, listeners derive anywhere from 55 to 90 percent of meaning from delivery. People believe nonverbal cues over verbal ones. Remember that next time you tell your spouse you love them or they look good in that dress or you're listening when you're really watching The Apprentice. Types of nonverbal cues? Facial expressions. There's nothing more I need to say here. Makeup. For all the jibes about Kerry's "tan," on Thursday, W was the one who looked orange. P-a-u-s-e-s. Pauses can be used for effect. They will have an effect whether you choose or not. Eye contact. In particular, excessive blinking. Okay, maybe this one is a bit unfair. It's hard to control. But like it or not, it has an effect, particularly on camera. This tip comes from Michael Caine's "Acting on Film." He instructs actors that keeping strong, solid eye contact with the camera makes you look strong, while blinking makes you look weak. When you see him demonstrate this, it's very clear. Bush blinked constantly during some of his answers. Watch your tape or TiVo. It's not something you'd notice consciously (unless, like me, you've recently had it pointed out), but you do notice it unconsciously, and it makes the speaker look weak and shifty.
One final thing killed Bush, and it's something that was decided as part of the rules. (By the by, if you haven't heard, the rules for these debates are longer than the Salt II treaty.) No applause. At the beginning of the evening - as on Tuesday - Jim Lehrer announced the audience was instructed not to respond. Feedback is important for all public speakers. It allows you to judge what effect you're having on your audience. For someone like Bush, who is desperate for approval, it's key. As the night wore on and he continued to get no response, you saw him sink deeper and deeper into depression. No matter that Kerry wasn't getting any response either. Bush has been training at these staged "town halls" where he's fed off the applause. This is one reason why he should do much better tonight.
Until the first "boo." If Kerry gets a big response, watch for Bush's reaction. And if Bush receives the slightest heckle (something Kerry is used to by now, since his public appearances are truly public), watch him go nuts.
Now I'm getting excited.
I thought it was clear John Kerry won the first debate. At the same time, I was amazed to find most members of the media (with the notable absence of Fox News) agreeing with me. Even uber-con Joe Scarborough had to admit Bush blew it.
And that's what it really comes down. I was ready for Kerry to sink like a stone. I figured he would be stiff, his language and logic would be convoluted, and that he'd continually run over the time limit. Instead, I found him strong and clear. I've been impatient with Kerry in recent weeks, but at the debate I thought he was in good form. Granted, neither he nor Bush answered questions that didn't suit their needs, instead resorting to pre-screened responses they could shoehorn in, but that seems to be SOP this political season.
Bush, on the other hand, beat himself. I'm teaching a public speaking course this semester, and that Thursday we were discussing delivery. Bush fell into nearly every trap I warn my students against. His people tell us that he's not running for President of the Debating Team. But these weren't debating errors, they were common public speaking errors. Bush is no Great Communicator, but he's usually good in front of crowds. Better than John Kerry. Not last Thursday.
Rule One: Do not lean on the podium. Speakers like to do this, thinking it makes them look folksy and relaxed. And if you're Bill Clinton, maybe you can pull it off. But 9 times out of 10 it makes you look weak. Bush was not just leaning on the podium, he was leaning into it. His shoulders were hunched, and it looked like he needed the podium for support. Kerry, on the other hand, stood tall. Without saying a word, he looked more in control than Bush.
Rule Two: Watch the water. I didn't notice this as much as other commentators, who scored it, Kerry: one sip, Bush: four glasses. Be sure you're properly hydrated before you start. Constantly reaching for the water makes you look nervous and unsure of yourself. This plagued John Edwards on Tuesday. (That and the camel tongue that lolled out following every sip.) Drinking water is the corollary to flop sweat. You look guilty.
Rule Three: Don't apologize. Saying "It's hard work" once is recognition of the daunting task ahead of us. Saying it 11 times (by Joe Scarborough's count on MSNBC) makes you seem like you're not up for the job. This is similar to telling your audience, "I'm really nervous." We would be nervous, but we don't want you to be.
Rule Four: Say what you have to say. Then stop. One of the reasons Cheney was successful was that he didn't feel a need to fill the entire two minutes or ninety seconds. Better to be clear and finished than long-winded and muddy. Or worse, to run out of time because your second, unrelated point, takes too long. Or even worse, to jump in and then have nothing to say. Let the moderator decide - according to the rules you devised - when to allow the additional 30 seconds. Otherwise you look desperate.
All Purpose Rule Five: Nonverbal communication trumps verbal communication every time. According to research, listeners derive anywhere from 55 to 90 percent of meaning from delivery. People believe nonverbal cues over verbal ones. Remember that next time you tell your spouse you love them or they look good in that dress or you're listening when you're really watching The Apprentice. Types of nonverbal cues? Facial expressions. There's nothing more I need to say here. Makeup. For all the jibes about Kerry's "tan," on Thursday, W was the one who looked orange. P-a-u-s-e-s. Pauses can be used for effect. They will have an effect whether you choose or not. Eye contact. In particular, excessive blinking. Okay, maybe this one is a bit unfair. It's hard to control. But like it or not, it has an effect, particularly on camera. This tip comes from Michael Caine's "Acting on Film." He instructs actors that keeping strong, solid eye contact with the camera makes you look strong, while blinking makes you look weak. When you see him demonstrate this, it's very clear. Bush blinked constantly during some of his answers. Watch your tape or TiVo. It's not something you'd notice consciously (unless, like me, you've recently had it pointed out), but you do notice it unconsciously, and it makes the speaker look weak and shifty.
One final thing killed Bush, and it's something that was decided as part of the rules. (By the by, if you haven't heard, the rules for these debates are longer than the Salt II treaty.) No applause. At the beginning of the evening - as on Tuesday - Jim Lehrer announced the audience was instructed not to respond. Feedback is important for all public speakers. It allows you to judge what effect you're having on your audience. For someone like Bush, who is desperate for approval, it's key. As the night wore on and he continued to get no response, you saw him sink deeper and deeper into depression. No matter that Kerry wasn't getting any response either. Bush has been training at these staged "town halls" where he's fed off the applause. This is one reason why he should do much better tonight.
Until the first "boo." If Kerry gets a big response, watch for Bush's reaction. And if Bush receives the slightest heckle (something Kerry is used to by now, since his public appearances are truly public), watch him go nuts.
Now I'm getting excited.
posted by John Bliss at
11:19 AM
1 Comments:
Wow.. really interesting hints. Public speaking, hang on, ANY kind of speaking is something Ive always endeavoured to do better at. Ive just probably found 5 of my sins right here!
By
Foxsden, at 9:58 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home