| When thinking about running for office, many men and | | | | yourself depending on the group you are talking to. |
| women who would make fine candidates back away | | | | Beyond this, keeping to the same stump speech |
| from the prospect because they are not sure how to | | | | means you will be certain not to give out conflicting |
| get their message across. They know what they | | | | messages that will come back to bite you somewhere |
| believe and what they would like to accomplish, but | | | | down the road. |
| somehow, the idea of facing the public and the press | | | | Because of the variety of groups, venues and |
| scares the thought right out of their heads. This is both | | | | program formats, you should have fifteen and thirty |
| unfortunate and unnecessary. Unfortunate because | | | | minute versions of your talk. From there, you can |
| we cannot abandon the political playing field to the glib, | | | | adjust to most any situation. |
| slick lipped types who the provide the form, if not the | | | | What should be included in your speech? Take your |
| substance needed for the job. It's also unnecessary, as | | | | message point(s) and flesh them out with illustrations. |
| adequate preparation will not only yield the ability to | | | | Back up your views... tell how you came to your |
| communicate, but give you the confidence to go out | | | | position and why your ideas are better than your |
| and actually do it. | | | | opponents. It's OK to have a little fun with your |
| Your Message | | | | opponents position if you can do it with genuine humor |
| Before you begin your campaign, consider what it is | | | | and without hostility. |
| that makes you want to run for office and what you | | | | Block Quotes |
| would like to accomplish when elected. It should be | | | | Write down a list of anything you could possibly be |
| from one to three main points. You can go into more | | | | asked, off the wall or not. Now get a stack of index |
| detail during in depth interviews or op-ed pieces, but | | | | cards... yes, index cards... you can refer to them |
| more than that will muddy the waters for the voters. | | | | anywhere and they don't run out of battery with |
| Your campaign will be built around this message. Your | | | | constant use like your Blackberry. Write each question |
| goal is that when people hear your name, your | | | | on a card, along with a brief paragraph explaining your |
| message will immediately come to mind. | | | | position. |
| We can look at two Virginia Governors to see prime | | | | These will be sound bites heard on the evening news. |
| examples of this. When George Allen ran, everyone | | | | You will live with these cards day and night. They are |
| who was paying attention knew he wanted to abolish | | | | not for reference during interviews or news |
| the parole system. Likewise when Jim Gilmore ran, | | | | conferences. The idea is to review them over and |
| abolishing the car tax was the goal both he and the | | | | over until you know them cold and the answer comes |
| public wanted. Since then others have run with less | | | | immediately to mind without hesitation. Sometimes |
| focused campaigns... and came in second. Each of | | | | when giving answers, it may be best to pause slightly |
| these men had positions on a multitude of other issues | | | | like you are giving the matter some thought... but there |
| that came out during the course of the campaign but | | | | is no substitute for the confidence you gain by |
| the main point was indelibly attached to their names. | | | | knowing exactly what you are going to say. The deer |
| Finally, try to phrase your message in ways that the | | | | in the headlights look isn't beneficial to a political career. |
| public can understand will benefit them. For instance, | | | | Try to conclude each answer by tying it back to your |
| your opponent wants to use municipal funds to erect a | | | | message. |
| statue to former Mayor Algonguin J. Calhoun. The man | | | | Flexibility |
| was popular with the community, but you know was a | | | | With either of these processes, it's important to |
| reprobate and scoundrel (imagine a politician with those | | | | maintain flexibility based on current events and |
| characteristics... just don't be one), your opposition could | | | | developing situations. Life is a fluid and so is politics. As |
| be based on a respect of the taxpayers money and a | | | | conditions change, do not be afraid to adapt to them in |
| list of unmet needs in the community that make your | | | | your speech and block quotes. It helps show that you |
| opponent appear insensitive to his potential | | | | are aware and in touch with your surroundings and |
| constituents. | | | | trustworthy to take actions based on a changing |
| Your Stump Speech | | | | environment. |
| Once you identify yourself as a candidate for office, | | | | What You Don't Say |
| you will be asked to address various groups like | | | | Lastly, saying all the right things may be to no avail if |
| Rotary Clubs, PTAs, Jaycees, women's clubs and the | | | | along with that you include something that probably |
| like. The first thing you need to understand is that you | | | | should not be said. During the previous election cycle, |
| do not have to write a new speech for each group. In | | | | Rev. Jesse Jackson made a remark about wanting to |
| fact, you should not write a different speech for each | | | | remove some body parts of the current president. He |
| group. You should, of course, adjust the talk to each | | | | was humiliated, his reputation was damaged... all |
| group. You may want to swap out some of your | | | | unnecessarily. A slip of the lip also contributed to the |
| jokes for ones that have particular meaning to your | | | | end of Sen. George Allen's brilliant political career. |
| audience, and modify your examples to something | | | | Never, and I say NEVER assume a conversation |
| they may understand... but your main outline should be | | | | anywhere near a public venue is private. It doesn't hurt |
| remain consistent. | | | | to be a bit paranoid about who may be listening in. It |
| The reason for this ties back to your message. What | | | | never hurts to really be the squeaky clean candidate |
| is it you want the public to associate with your | | | | you want the public to see you as. If you are the real |
| candidacy. All this assumes you do want to be a | | | | deal, you won't have to apologize. Do your best to be |
| straight shooter and not give different pictures of | | | | the real deal, we have enough of the others already. |