It's easier for me to support Kerry after his "Hawdbawl" performance

[mzmolly]

last night.

I think he's speaking faster, more directly and saying "more" of what needs to be said.

Heck, I did not start thinking about my shopping list once while I watched the interview! Anyone else? ;)

[dedhed]

1. I agree...

... he handled himself very well!

Here's a link to the transcript for anyone interested:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4853531/

[On the Road]

2. One of the Keys to Winning a Presidential Election

is adapting and learning. Gore did it successfully after a bad start. Kerry is seems to be learning, too. He certainly did during the primaries.

[prodigal_green]

3. Didn't see it but just read it

I liked what Kerry had to say, but here's the thing with the interviews. Republicans say Democrats don't have any ideas, they just criticize, but several times Kerry tried to discuss his plan and Tweety just kept asking him about his medals. How are the Democrats supposed to get their message out when nobody is interested in hearing what they have to say?

[LynzM]

5. OMG, I agree

I just read the transcript, and you're SO right. Every time Kerry tried to talk about policy, or real issues, he was steered back to medals, or Bush, or whatever. I liked how he kept saying "you'll have to ask him"... "ask him"... like, I'm not going to put words in his mouth or make decisions for him, so you'll just have to ask him. I wish he'd get a little more gritty about not getting steered back to off-topic stuff, but I think overall he did a good job! Wish I could have seen it!

[SemperEadem]

6. That is a steering tactic used by professional interviewers

corralling the coversation where they want it to go.

What interviewees need to learn is to keep to their message, when they're interrupted with a non-sequitur question, return to finish the message they were delivering when cut off and front off the interviewer with responses like "do you want America to hear my answer to your question, or are you grandstanding to make points?"

It takes a level of concentration to be able to stick to your message, because the first thing the interviewer is going to do is to try to shit all over you for not playing along---if you can withstand their tantrum without undue embarassment (like when your 3 yr old falls out in the middle of the store) and stick to your message--and always keep your voice low, steady and calm--like Richard Clarke does--it can be a successful interview for you.

OR Kerry could have asked Tweety "Did you serve?" That should be the question to them all... if the answer is no, then they have no right to question a damn thing about your military service.

[mzmolly]

7. Very good point!

:hi:

[Richardo]

4. Great interview - skillfully dodged the landmines Matthews was laying out

and took the high road in his criticism of BushCheney. Excellent! :thumbsup: