Debate No. 1. Style and delivery are the most important elements in televised political debates. -- Matt Towery says "Kerry Had The Better Night."
The morning after Debate No. 1 we did a post entitled "Debate No.1. Forget spin-doctors. Be objective in assessment. -- A defining moment: "The" comment about Sen. Kerry's performance was from Sen. McCain."
What is even better than the difficult task of trying to be objective in assessing a debate as a member of the Democratic base? An assessment from someone who is a member of the Georgia Republican base.
How about an assessment from someone who is not only a faithful member of the GOP base, but who knows something about debating and how those who are not in either camp, but rather in the crucial groups of the undecided and swing voters, assess debates.
This week one of the best provided such insight in an article entitled "Let's Be Honest ... Kerry Had The Better Night."
The author -- Matt Towery, a nationally syndicated columnist, the Chairman of Insider Advantage, and a former politician himself who served in our state legislature and Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
The article:
Let's be honest, from a style and delivery standpoint Kerry had the better night. And past experience proves that style and delivery are the most important elements in televised political debates.
I felt that the team that prepared the president failed him. He appeared a bit halted in delivery, slightly tired, and failed to have crisp talking points. While Kerry's so-called 'plan' to deal with Iraq had four rather vague points to it, he employed the technique of creating the impression that he offered concrete answers. He used rapid listing of facts punctuated by jabbing hand movements to create the impression that he had a strong grasp of the issues.
The one positive about Bush's presentation was the fact that, even with a weaker performance, Bush comes across as a warmer and more personal individual. That notwithstanding, Kerry would have won a standard debate ballot in areas of delivery, refutation, and reasoning (standard judging criteria), with the evidence category being basically even.
As for the impact of the debate, I would guess that polls will show Kerry the winner but that winning this debate will likely not translate into a major immediate shift in votes. The president's performance, while not sterling, was strong enough to keep this one debate from shifting huge segments of the vote. However, the Bush team needs a better program for preparing Bush, particularly these 'pregnant pauses' in his delivery which make a very bright President Bush appear less presidential and knowledgeable than is the actual case.
No knock out, but potentially a technical debate win which could, if momentum builds, put Kerry back into the race, particularly if Bush relies on the same debate prep and style in their next contest.
_______________
We old-timers know Matt and I am happy to say he is a friend (and as such, we enjoy "laughing with him" about some of his "interesting" experiences while in the state legislature).
For those who do not him, his past career in politics began after he had won over 30 national high school debate tournaments, including the National Bicentennial Debate Championship. Matt began his career as a political speech and debate coach in 1980 for a then little-known U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich and went on to assist some of the nation's leading names in their efforts.
Matt has engaged in debating opponents as a candidate, and authored a book advising candidates on political debates., Towery draws on his experiences and gives his general comments in the excerpts that follow (Matt's experience as an elected official involves some "interesting" experiences as a member of the Georgia legislature, something we old-timers recall and as friends share a laugh or two with Matt from time to time).
His most recent venture is his launching of James, a magazine targeting politicians and business leaders in the state.
The official selling point for the magazine named after Georgia founder James Oglethorpe is that it touts an insider's view of state politics, as well as edgy business stories.
The unofficial selling point -- which I can report from personal experience Matt Towery loves to hear -- is that it's to be the magazine that Georgia Trend "used to be" (to my knowledge, Matt has not said this, and this is not my assessment, just the unofficial line if you please).
What is even better than the difficult task of trying to be objective in assessing a debate as a member of the Democratic base? An assessment from someone who is a member of the Georgia Republican base.
How about an assessment from someone who is not only a faithful member of the GOP base, but who knows something about debating and how those who are not in either camp, but rather in the crucial groups of the undecided and swing voters, assess debates.
This week one of the best provided such insight in an article entitled "Let's Be Honest ... Kerry Had The Better Night."
The author -- Matt Towery, a nationally syndicated columnist, the Chairman of Insider Advantage, and a former politician himself who served in our state legislature and Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
The article:
Let's be honest, from a style and delivery standpoint Kerry had the better night. And past experience proves that style and delivery are the most important elements in televised political debates.
I felt that the team that prepared the president failed him. He appeared a bit halted in delivery, slightly tired, and failed to have crisp talking points. While Kerry's so-called 'plan' to deal with Iraq had four rather vague points to it, he employed the technique of creating the impression that he offered concrete answers. He used rapid listing of facts punctuated by jabbing hand movements to create the impression that he had a strong grasp of the issues.
The one positive about Bush's presentation was the fact that, even with a weaker performance, Bush comes across as a warmer and more personal individual. That notwithstanding, Kerry would have won a standard debate ballot in areas of delivery, refutation, and reasoning (standard judging criteria), with the evidence category being basically even.
As for the impact of the debate, I would guess that polls will show Kerry the winner but that winning this debate will likely not translate into a major immediate shift in votes. The president's performance, while not sterling, was strong enough to keep this one debate from shifting huge segments of the vote. However, the Bush team needs a better program for preparing Bush, particularly these 'pregnant pauses' in his delivery which make a very bright President Bush appear less presidential and knowledgeable than is the actual case.
No knock out, but potentially a technical debate win which could, if momentum builds, put Kerry back into the race, particularly if Bush relies on the same debate prep and style in their next contest.
_______________
We old-timers know Matt and I am happy to say he is a friend (and as such, we enjoy "laughing with him" about some of his "interesting" experiences while in the state legislature).
For those who do not him, his past career in politics began after he had won over 30 national high school debate tournaments, including the National Bicentennial Debate Championship. Matt began his career as a political speech and debate coach in 1980 for a then little-known U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich and went on to assist some of the nation's leading names in their efforts.
Matt has engaged in debating opponents as a candidate, and authored a book advising candidates on political debates., Towery draws on his experiences and gives his general comments in the excerpts that follow (Matt's experience as an elected official involves some "interesting" experiences as a member of the Georgia legislature, something we old-timers recall and as friends share a laugh or two with Matt from time to time).
His most recent venture is his launching of James, a magazine targeting politicians and business leaders in the state.
The official selling point for the magazine named after Georgia founder James Oglethorpe is that it touts an insider's view of state politics, as well as edgy business stories.
The unofficial selling point -- which I can report from personal experience Matt Towery loves to hear -- is that it's to be the magazine that Georgia Trend "used to be" (to my knowledge, Matt has not said this, and this is not my assessment, just the unofficial line if you please).
posted by Sid Cottingham | 12:02 PM
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