Tonight's the night. Romney vs Obama at DU. Time now to manage expectations.
1. First, this really isn't a debate but more of a series of highly rehearsed responses to expected questions from the moderator, regardless if they actually deal with the question. It's all about the sound byte. It's a game of "Gotcha!"
If a candidate begins a response with "The fact of the matter is ...." it means they aren't going to answer the question. Or at least try not to because ...
Jim Lehrer is tonight moderator. I've met him a couple of times. He's a nice guy but a no-nonsense questioner. This is his 12th Presidential Debate. You can't fool him. He's also convinced organizers to make tonight's event more of an interview format with fewer questions, but longer segments for questions, answers and follow-up. He'll challenge every response with both candidates.
2. There's something else on the stage tonight. An 800 pound gorilla called the DEFICIT. It passed the $16 Trillion mark during the Democratic Political Convention. How much is $16 Trillion? Well, it's about $60 Thousand for each and everyone of us. Each and everyone. It will be even more tomorrow.
Both candidates will at least mention it, blame each other for it and the key will be if either offers some real ideas to reduce it. Not likely, as it could be perceived as a "gaffe" and you know what the media does with gaffes.
3. Speaking of the media, they will outnumber the actually number of real people in the audience or at least in the building by about 3-1. As a former television news director, executive producer and network field producer let me tell you that there really is no bias in at least the national media. It's just that most of the national folks are out or touch with reality and any sense of what goes on here on Main Street USA.
One could say they're mostly stupid, but that would be impolite. Let's just use the term "Obtuse."
I can't tell you the number of times I got bizarre requests for story coverage for stories that didn't even exist. These folks live and work in Washington DC and New York City. They go to cocktail parties with the same people they cover and often inter-marry! It's incestuous. They have little if any clue as to what the real issues are that impact us outside of their world. (See previous comments on deficit)
After the debate, these folks will tell us what really was said and what it meant. They don't think we have enough intelligence to make up our own minds on what we heard. It's true.
Do don't listen to them. They're, you know, obtuse. Make up your own mind. Be your own pundit.
I will say this about local media, they're by and large very fair. They live and shop where we do and their kids go to the same schools as ours. They're clear in separating opinion from reporting. They live with us here on Main Street USA. They're worth a listen.
4. It's important we respect the process. President Obama and Governor Romney have had the courage to put their name on the ballot, to say "this is what I believe in and this is what I want to do." We are free to agree or disagree with either candidate but let's respect the fact they made a deeply personal decision to run for office. Along with wearing the uniform, the most patriotic thing anyone can do is run for office. Act accordingly, especially on Social Media. Name calling and F-Bombs do nothing to bridge the scary political divide that exists in America. (See earlier comments on deficit)
5. Do your home work. I suggest reading the report of the Simpson-Bowles Commission. It was ordered by the President, and both Republican Senator Alan K. Simpson along with former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles put together a remarkable roadmap to dig us out of a frightening financial hole. (See earlier comments on deficit)
The report, was filed away in some box. Like the Ark of the Covenant scene from that Indiana Jones movie.
Here's the link to the report.
As you read, or at least skim through the report you'll see there's very little sugar inside to let the medicine go down. The trouble is, it will take no small amount of political courage to make the tough decisions that need to be made in Washington and executed here at home. (See earlier comments on deficit.)
Look, listen, ponder as if the future of our nation depends on it. Because it does.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
1. First, this really isn't a debate but more of a series of highly rehearsed responses to expected questions from the moderator, regardless if they actually deal with the question. It's all about the sound byte. It's a game of "Gotcha!"
If a candidate begins a response with "The fact of the matter is ...." it means they aren't going to answer the question. Or at least try not to because ...
Jim Lehrer is tonight moderator. I've met him a couple of times. He's a nice guy but a no-nonsense questioner. This is his 12th Presidential Debate. You can't fool him. He's also convinced organizers to make tonight's event more of an interview format with fewer questions, but longer segments for questions, answers and follow-up. He'll challenge every response with both candidates.
2. There's something else on the stage tonight. An 800 pound gorilla called the DEFICIT. It passed the $16 Trillion mark during the Democratic Political Convention. How much is $16 Trillion? Well, it's about $60 Thousand for each and everyone of us. Each and everyone. It will be even more tomorrow.
Both candidates will at least mention it, blame each other for it and the key will be if either offers some real ideas to reduce it. Not likely, as it could be perceived as a "gaffe" and you know what the media does with gaffes.
3. Speaking of the media, they will outnumber the actually number of real people in the audience or at least in the building by about 3-1. As a former television news director, executive producer and network field producer let me tell you that there really is no bias in at least the national media. It's just that most of the national folks are out or touch with reality and any sense of what goes on here on Main Street USA.
One could say they're mostly stupid, but that would be impolite. Let's just use the term "Obtuse."
I can't tell you the number of times I got bizarre requests for story coverage for stories that didn't even exist. These folks live and work in Washington DC and New York City. They go to cocktail parties with the same people they cover and often inter-marry! It's incestuous. They have little if any clue as to what the real issues are that impact us outside of their world. (See previous comments on deficit)
After the debate, these folks will tell us what really was said and what it meant. They don't think we have enough intelligence to make up our own minds on what we heard. It's true.
Do don't listen to them. They're, you know, obtuse. Make up your own mind. Be your own pundit.
I will say this about local media, they're by and large very fair. They live and shop where we do and their kids go to the same schools as ours. They're clear in separating opinion from reporting. They live with us here on Main Street USA. They're worth a listen.
4. It's important we respect the process. President Obama and Governor Romney have had the courage to put their name on the ballot, to say "this is what I believe in and this is what I want to do." We are free to agree or disagree with either candidate but let's respect the fact they made a deeply personal decision to run for office. Along with wearing the uniform, the most patriotic thing anyone can do is run for office. Act accordingly, especially on Social Media. Name calling and F-Bombs do nothing to bridge the scary political divide that exists in America. (See earlier comments on deficit)
5. Do your home work. I suggest reading the report of the Simpson-Bowles Commission. It was ordered by the President, and both Republican Senator Alan K. Simpson along with former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles put together a remarkable roadmap to dig us out of a frightening financial hole. (See earlier comments on deficit)
The report, was filed away in some box. Like the Ark of the Covenant scene from that Indiana Jones movie.
Here's the link to the report.
As you read, or at least skim through the report you'll see there's very little sugar inside to let the medicine go down. The trouble is, it will take no small amount of political courage to make the tough decisions that need to be made in Washington and executed here at home. (See earlier comments on deficit.)
Look, listen, ponder as if the future of our nation depends on it. Because it does.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
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