Wow, are the pro-Obama forces out today to counter the RNC Convention and to set things up for the Democrats next week. Point being - the OTHER side understands media, how to get the attention of overworked writers and reporters and how to emotionally charge up those powerful voices with a keyboard, a mic or a camera, and an audience.
The conservative side - even here in Illinois - struggles to get how it's all done. But things are looking up. The atmosphere towards the media in Illinois conservative circles is changing and we're impressed that a number of politicians and candidates sent out press releases and comments in reply to Illinois' S&P downgrade this week. That shows someone is in those circles, and their job - which these folks are evidently beginning to heed - is to get conservative voices into the Illinois media mix. The good guys are making progress.
Next step is for Illinois conservative lawmakers and policy analysts to begin treating online news sources as news sources. For some reason, they only cozy up to unfriendly and in some cases contemptuous media sources. Maybe soon conservatives will be jarred into the reality that the liberal media doesn't want to help conservatives. Its not in their agenda. They're not objective and they're not going to help.
But we diverted from the purpose of this post. Here's what we mean about the liberals connecting with online news sources - even so far as sending us their opinion that Mitt Romney should fire his speech writer. Then the professional speaker offers his reasons why he thinks Romney blew his historical opportunity Thursday night, and why Barack Obama will do much better next week.
Here's a sample of what we got this morning - would love to know your thoughts!
Mitt Romney should fire his speech writer!
That advice from Steve Siebold, who is ranked as one of the world’s top professional speakers and has worked with politicians and celebrities such as Merv Griffin, Cheryl Ladd and Pat Boone to develop their speaking and delivery skills.
Here are his thoughts:
- Mitt Romney had the chance of a lifetime and blew it. He had 45 minutes in front of the Republican Party, the easiest audience he’ll ever face, and he didn’t deliver – most probably tipping the scales in favor of the incumbent, Barack Obama.
- Romney’s vocal tone was too high and he sounded like a salesman. He should have used a much lower vocal tone which would have conveyed intimacy and likeability. Think of a marriage proposal: it’s done in a very low tone to capture the moment and make it extra special.
- There was never any emotional connection to the audience and he sounded like a corporate CEO. Romney is losing with the women voters and he needed to win them over, but there was nothing in his speech that helped him do that. He didn’t get personal enough with the audience. He desperately needs to overcome the squeaky clean image and should have revealed a personal flaw.
- Instead of taking a chance on Clint Eastwood which didn’t do anything for the Romney cause, the campaign should have taken a chance on Romney. He should have broken away from the conventional speech and one-third of the way into it, Romney should have stepped away from the lectern, walked to the front of the stage and said, “Turn off the teleprompter and let’s talk honestly.” The crowd would have gone wild and he would have grabbed the attention of the viewers at home.
- Political experts such as John Dickerson of Slate Magazine and CBS News said Romney gave a
“fine speech,” but in terms of the fundamentals of the speech and delivery it was pretty lackluster and any professional speaker would tell you so.
- President Obama will knock it out of the part next week in Charlotte. Obama is a great speaker who knows how to connect with his audience and that was a huge part of getting him elected in 2008.
As part of your post Romney speech coverage, please consider some thoughts from Siebold.
See what we mean? We've contended for years that conservative ideals are not what's so dreary and unsound. It's the message itself, the manner it which its conveyed, the messengers and their delivery.
The other side gets it. Ours can and should. It can be done.
