As an elected official, I know many of the ways to really communicate or to garble the message. Tonight, sincerity and hitting the points that differentiate each debater will be important. Despite the deadening effect of relentless political ads that have made some not even want to turn on radio or television.
I live in Ohio. That alone should induce pity, given that we’re exactly 36 days from the November 6 general election (early voting started today as well). You may think you know what it’s like to be subjected to literally tens of thousands of political ads a week but, I’m just saying?
I highly doubt it. I don’t even watch broadcast television, but they get me when I turn on cable. And when I am avoiding cable, they get me in the banner ads – on every kind of website you can imagine, there they are. Then, there’s the mailbox, and my email inbox, and the yard signs.
My ace in the hole for putting up with this stuff is the fact that I’ve run for office before and was very well-prepared. Although I didn’t have to debate anyone for a seat on my city council for a community of 6,000, I did have to learn how to speak extemporaneously and still sound authentic.
On the third hand, I also knew in my head that I had messages to get across and points to make. So when I watch a debate, you can bet that I’m watching to see how the candidates walk these lines too.
I’ve identified six aspects I think each candidate would do well to hold to… we shall see.
Read the rest here.