- Since we did not have a lot of class discussion Wednesday, I have been thinking a lot about the dialing/perception technology and what that tells us both as academics and potential voters. Do you think that dialing is not only effective for academic research purposes, but in influencing voters? In other words are voters who watch a debate on a station with moment-to-moment dialing data swayed by the way one group feels or thinks about something that a candidate says during a debate that either peaks or dips their interest?
- In relation to the first question, Dr. Luntz talks a lot about the ten rules of Words That Work throughout the first four chapters of the book. Rule 2: Use Short Sentences stood out to me when thinking both about the debate Tuesday night as well as our previous readings such as the Doctors Heath thinking about ideas and words that stick. There has been a great deal of ribbing and jokes directed at Senator McCain for using the phrase “my friends” more times than I can count (but I am sure someone, somewhere has). Do you think Sen. McCain’s use of the phrase “my friends” is a good or bad thing? Is that phrase sticky? Does the phrase work for all ages and other demographics of the country? If you think it does, why? If you think it doesn’t work, why not?
- Finally, Dr. Luntz in Words That Work says, “Good communication requires conviction and authenticity; being a walking dictionary is optional” (p. 52). Often, Sen. Obama is criticized for sounding elitist through his detailed explanations of issues and of his policies. When it comes to policy there has not been a phrase or slogan that the voters have been able to get behind. It seems that the phrases that have authenticity with Sen. Obama and that have “stuck” with voters are “Yes We Can” and “Change We Can Believe In.” Is this detrimental to Sen. Obama? Should Sen. Obama’s campaign be pushing a message more like “It’s the economy, stupid?” Has Sen. McCain been more effective in giving the voters a sticky/brief phrase that addresses the issues rather than his campaign or personality?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Discussion Questions for October 8, 2008
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1. Funny you should ask. One of my students asked me Friday, "What's that heart monitor thing across the screen on debates?" I can't see instant dial coverage really influencing votes, but I'm sure it provides conversational currency for some viewers.
2. I've never thought McCain's use of "My friends" was strategic. It may "stick" enough to be used by comedians doing John McCain imitations. I think he uses it as a vocalized pause, kinda like "kinda like" or "ya know." Ya know?
I suppose it's possible that it sounds warm and soothing to some folks, but let's face it, not everything that goes into getting a candidate elected can be quantified.
3.Remember that "It's the economy, stupid!" was a sign that Carville put on the wall of Clinton's campaign headquarters. It was never a public Clinton slogan. Concerning "Yes We Can" and "Change," those seem to not only stick, but work in conjunction with one another. "Change? Yes we can!" They're pretty basic, but this is a good election to run a high-contrast campaign against a party with a president with a 30 percent approval rating, and "change" was the primary message of challengers pointed out in one of our earliest readings for this course.
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