Replies

You are so very welcome. To expand a bit on the Leadership Institute's portion of the seminar, Matt Lewis told us the following (from my notes):

If you come up with a message and your opponent sues you, you've got a good message.

People think in pictures.

He suggested we read "Bad Boy--The Life and Politics of Lee Atwater."

Credibility--if you don't have it, nothing else matters.

He spoke about having the right person to deliver the right message. As an example, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to have a man debate a woman about abortion. Know your limitations. If you're that man and you're asked to debate a woman about abortion, politely decline, and suggest a woman in your organization would probably be happy to debate.

Whatever team is on the offense the longest, wins (i.e., think of Carville and Begala, they were ALWAYS on the offense).

How an audience judges you:

55% is how you look
38% is the vocal quality of your voice--tonal
7% are the actual words you speak !!!!!

We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions. Audiences judge us by results.

He suggested we study Ronald Reagan's speeches to learn how to be conservative and positive (most conservatives are conservative and negative).

In politics, perception is reality

Okay, I'll spare you the rest.

"If you're that man and you're asked to debate a woman about abortion, politely decline, and suggest a woman in your organization would probably be happy to debate. "

I'm not comfortable with that at all. Did he also advise that white folk not debate black folk on race issues?

How an audience judges you: 55% is how you look 38% is the vocal quality of your voice--tonal 7% are the actual words you speak !!!!! We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions. Audiences judge us by results. He suggested we study Ronald Reagan's speeches to learn how to be conservative and positive (most conservatives are conservative and negative). In politics, perception is reality. I have to add that to my notes. There was so much information verbally as well as handouts, I still missed things. It was extremely intense - but now that I am finally relaxing and starting to write my report, bits and pieces are surfacing. If I have any questions about what I remember, I'll check what I have written with y'all to make sure that I have been accurate. What a weekend - I need more!!!! Again, to the committee - Job well done!

"Whatever team is on the offense the longest, wins." -- regardless of their truthfulness (yes, thinking of carville & co!)

Thanks for the additional details -- I'm taking them to heart (spare me? please don't!). I hope you have recovered well from the trip & excitement! -- cynic#456,789