Getting Past the Talking Points
HILLARY
Over the past two weeks there has been non-stop coverage of the Presidential election. On every cable news channel you can here discussions, where one surrogate from each camp argues their side. In almost every case there is very little listening…
JACK
I would like to correct that statement to change “very little” listening to none. Each one of the surrogates that is dispatched to present the candidates’ case on any of the many television shows are instructed to get across their “talking points”. So it doesn’t matter whether you are watching Meet the Press, Crossfire, or Face the Nation, you’re hearing the same statements. You not only hear the essence of what they say, but they all speak the same lines. It is as though each one has been briefed as part of a group, and they memorized the talking points together.
I was watching CNN, when Campbell Brown was interviewing a McCain surrogate. Campbell asked the surrogate, please tell me one decision that Gov. Palin made as Commander of the Alaskan National Guard that qualifies her to be Vice-President. His answer was, Gov. Palin is more qualified than Barack Obama, since she had the executive role of governor of a state. Campbell Brown repeated the question, just name one decision that she made. After three or four repeats, the surrogate was obviously irritated that Campbell Brown was not playing the game. Within a couple of hours, Sen. McCain cancelled an interview with Larry King on the CNN network, because Campbell Brown went, they claimed, “over the top” with her questioning, and was harassing the representative of the McCain campaign.
I find this act outrageous, and detrimental to the democratic process. It is radically wrong when there cannot be a question that presents any challenge.
HILLARY
Can I present you with a conspiracy theory? Campbell Brown is married to Republican strategist, and previous Army spokesman Dan Senor. What if Campbell Brown went on the offensive specifically because John McCain didn’t want to go on Larry King, or other shows on CNN, and this gave him an out?
JACK
Anything is possible, but the conspiracy theory is highly unlikely. However, what you say makes it even more remarkable. Here is a friendly interview that is turned into an offensive question to warrant the withdrawal of McCain from the Larry King show. Let’s start with the idea that Larry King is famous for his softball questions, and he would be a much more welcoming host than any whose mission is to challenge. Here is my point, the question was totally valid, and something that I would like to know. The Republicans first make a statement that she has made many decisions in the capacity of Commander-in-Chief of the Alaskan National Guard. It is a perfectly logical question that should be answered.
By the way, both Republicans and Democrats share this business of the surrogate just voicing their talking points. Given that, pulling an interview is a little harsh. My point is that a discussion should consist of questions and direct answers, rather than having a robot who says what he is programmed to say - - - and nothing else. I would classify most of these shows as “public relations” programs rather than a conversation that is geared to the realities of the debate. I would certainly like to know what real positions are, and even more important I would like them to refer to the real reasons that we vote for one candidate or another. I’m tired of listening to the ideologues from both parties yelling at each other, and a return to a discussion on the real issues - - the economy, the war in Iraq, healthcare, education.
HILLARY
As you know, my sister and I have very different political views. Recently at dinner, we started talking about politics. Very shortly after the first few sentences were spoken our voices started to get raised, our quips started to get more pointed, and our ability to listen was getting diminished by the second. Then my sister said, “let’s stop talking about this, we’ll never agree”. Until then we had both been hammering at our various “talking points” that we had heard from the media, trying to prove positions by being more and more passionate. I made a conscious effort to take a deep breath and say, “it’s ok if we don’t agree but I really want to know what you think, and what it really is that we’re not agreeing on.” After which, my sister also calmed down and we were able to talk for the entire length of dinner about why we believe in each of our candidates, and what it is that we hope that they will accomplish. While we didn’t agree on the choice for President, we both learned that we were coming from the same place – who we think will make our lives, and the lives of our families better. It’s just a matter of HOW, which is what we need to be talking about. How are each of the candidates going to fulfill their duties? What is their plan on EACH AND EVERY ISSUE that will face them. Break down the plan on energy independence. Break down stimulus for the economy. Tell us what special interest groups you’re going to kick out of Washington. What are their names? What do they do that’s not good for our country? Explain the how, so we don’t end up further polarized, and less willing to talk with each other.
Our mission with this blog is to shine a light on failings of communication, and to inspire better understanding. As I was reminded in my conversation with my sister, the only way to understand is to truly listen. So when we find ourselves in a heated discussion we must remember to really listen, which will help us to find common ground.
JACK
Your observation is the basis of all negotiation. In order to come to terms with a situation it is essential that you find this “common ground”. There must be an exchange of concepts and ideas, which can only happen by truly listening to what the other side has to say. I would hope that mainstream media would help us to arrive at this point, as our need is for real information and less public relations.
*Jack recently became a contributor on www.enrichment.com. Check it out!
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