Tag Archives: VP debate

The VP Debate: A Draw, but… Behavior Still Reigns

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Posted by Kelly Decker | October 11, 2012 | 1 Comment | Tweet this

If you were a democrat, you liked the debate. If you were a republican, you liked the debate. Issues were pretty well debated actually. And both VP candidates Biden and Ryan were energetic and performed well. So, a draw, but there were some important differences.

 

 

#1       The Split Screen difference.

Both candidates were on continuous split screen, so the viewing audience saw as much listening as talking. And the biggest factor in the ‘communication experience’ of this debate was the Biden smirk. Almost every time Ryan made a point we see a Biden reaction. And after awhile it turned into just repetitive condescending smiles, derisive eye rolls and a dismissive head toss. It is odd that the apparent adult on the stage was 27 years younger. Normally this would not be picked up by a viewing audience, but it’s dominant in a split screen. If you loved Joe Biden, it was OK. If you were undecided – the condescension was not attractive.

 

#2       Being a CEO

We’ve often written about the communication qualities of a CEO, and both Biden and Ryan had to fill that role. With the exception noted above, Biden did that well – he looked confident and spoke with a strong voice, even getting emotional and gravelly towards the end. It reminded us of his Palin debate 4 years ago which we blogged on here. Ryan had more to prove – younger, quick in both eyes and tongue, detail driven – could he rise above it and be commanding. Pretty close, but too often he let Biden, or the moderator Martha Raddatz, take command and override him. This was in stark contrast to how Mitt Romney did not allow himself to be interrupted, or interrupted himself when he thought he should. Ryan did not take command.

 

#3       Closing Statements

Ryan looked at the camera and gave a forceful, measured response. It was powerful. Biden looked at Raddatz and did not have as prepared a close. He didn’t ask for the order.

 

#4       Stories

Both used stories well. Personal stories, emotional stories. Stories make ideas sticky, and if you saw the debate and were asked how Ryan’s daughter got the nickname “Bean” – you would remember what subject he was talking about, and how he felt about it.

 

#5       Knowing the Facts

Ryan had the most to prove here, particularly on foreign policy and experience. He did well in having command of details, and talked on an equal footing with the more experienced VP Biden.

 

#6       Elevating the Discussion

For the most part, both Biden and Ryan missed opportunities to elevate the discussion to their philosophical differences. Both were in the weeds on the details of the economy, role of government, foreign policy, etc. But we didn’t hear much of the differences, or much inspiring, about the importance of innovation, the role and size of government, freedom in America and inherent responsibility.

 

But this was a VP debate – back to the main stage next week. We doubt if that will be a draw – but behavior will still reign.

The Palin Debate – and the winner is…

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Posted by Bert Decker | October 2, 2008 | 4 Comments | Tweet this

Who won the debate? Actually, it wasn’t a contest really – it was Sarah Palin’s to win or lose.

And she won! Not perfect by any means, but she did what was essential to turn the tide of ridicule.

Oh, Joe Biden did fine, no gaffes and he talked as a man of experience. But Palin was at risk – it was hers to turn the tide.

Here’s what happened, and as we do in our training programs, I’ll do this with a 3×3 of Keepers and Improvements:

Palin – the communication experience of her performance in this debate:

Keepers:

  • She connected. She spoke to the people. She looked at the TV camera as if it was a person, and included Biden and Gwen Iffil in glances when appropriate. She even looks pleasant when she is attacking. She is likable and appears trustworthy. She smiles and is at ease – she is approachable. Her casual manner serves her well right now – even though not presidential. She looked like she was having fun – exhibiting the confidence of a leader.
  • Most importantly, Palin exceeded very low expectations. And she did it mightily. She did give some facts, figures and details – she did seem informed. There were no hesitations nor “ums” and “uhs.” And many people expected her to lose it under this pressure. She did far better. And when she talked about the need for “personal responsibility” both Democrats and Republicans responded at over the 90% level on the audience response meter.
  • In the past weeks’ interview clips that have been all over the media, Palin appeared vacant and lightweight. These were edited clips – and amplified by the very funny Tina Fey clips. In this unedited debate Sarah Palin held her own. She appeared smart and intelligent. She responded well to Gwen Iffil and Biden. She went a long way to wiping out the lightweight label.

Improvements:

  • She spins. In the parlance of politicians, the media and the speech experts – bridging is an essential quality of a good communicator. But as in any skill there are extremes. She is good at bridging, but is at the upper extreme as she avoided about a half dozen questions.
  • Palin is still too casual. It is a great communication quality as shown in ease, smile and informal language, but as she moves on she has to elevate. She has to lessen the contractions and increase multi-syllable words. She is no Margaret Thatcher, nor should she be, but she should watch a few of Thatcher’s tapes.
  • As great as her smile and likability, she still uses the ‘cute’ mode too much. She winked a couple of times and often has a ‘little girl’ nose scrinch-up (not sure how to describe it). She should outgrow it as she moves up in leadership.

Biden – the communication experience of his performance in this debate:

Keepers:

  • He was good. I hadn’t intended to analyze him in detail, but changed my mind. Most powerful was his detail and grasp of knowledge. You feel he could step right into the presidency.
  • Biden welled up. When he was talking about the tragedy in his family background he was very appropriate when his eyes teared up as he talked about his loss. This one moment alone hit a responsive chord in the audience and added to his likability.
  • He treated Sarah Palin just fine. A lot was made of his gruff manner, and what he might do to attack. Biden was very appropriate, civil and statesmanlike.

Improvements:

  • Biden talked in “senate speak” as one observer at my location observed. Too true – when he got into facts, figures, details and campaign cliches we glaze over.
  • He looked angry several times – not from expressing determined principles so much as getting on the edge of showing real emotional anger. Not good when compared to the unflappable Palin.
  • He looked at Gwen most of the time, and rarely looked at the TV camera as the audience. So those few times when he did address the camera, he looked like he was pitching us.

This debate was no game changer, but because of Sarah Palin’s performance, it keeps the McCain-Palin ticket in the game. And that’s going a long way from where it was before the debate.

Palin Debate Preview

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Posted by Bert Decker | October 2, 2008 | 5 Comments | Tweet this

What to look for in tonight’s Biden – Palin debate:

  • It’s all about Palin - she wins or loses based on knowledge and thinking skills. Biden is almost an afterthought. Paretto’s law is at work – 80% of the impact (and media coverage) will be about Palin, 20% will be on Biden.
  • Palin will have to overcome mental clumsiness as shown in her halting interviews with Katie Couric, and others.
  • Palin will have to act ‘presidential’ without losing her personality. She has to drop the casual language, like “gonna” “kinda” “gotta” and never again “I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring ‘em to ‘ya.”
  • Palin is an excellent communicator in connecting with people – energy, eye contact, humor and smile. She is outstanding giving a formal speech.
  • Palin in the past has shown ‘thinking on your feet’ skills when she knows the subject. The problem is now on this national scale, when she does not apparently know much about the subject – she has faltered and stumbled. Her knowledge and thinking/bridging skills will be critical to answer the question of “qualified?” which will be on the undecided voter’s minds.
  • Palin only has to convince the 10-20% of the voters who are the undecided’s. She’ll never change the minds of those who love her, or those who hate her.

Tonight Sarah Palin has to create a communication experience that can persuade the record number of viewers of this debate that she has a grasp of complex issues and the ability to lead on a national scale.

For Palin, it will be a tough task to triumph. But perhaps they don’t call her “Sarah Barracuda” for nothing. Tonight will be an event, and if Palin DOES triumph, it could get the McCain straight talk express back on track. Stay tuned.