Welcome back, Saturday Campaign D-I-Y’ers! For those who tune in, welcome to the Nuts & Bolts of a Democratic campaign. Each week, we discuss issues that help drive successful campaigns. If you’ve missed prior diaries, please visit our group or follow Nuts & Bolts Guide.
We’ve been following our fictional candidate, Jessica Jones, as her campaign moves through the election cycle in her efforts to win a state Senate seat. In several states, the debate schedule for the general is already underway, but for Jessica Jones, her commitment to public debates with her opponent really starts after Labor Day.
This week, we’re going to cover some of the basic rules of debate and how to get your point across.
Before we get started, I want to say that while people view public debates as having few attendees outside of the really engaged, they do serve as a place to establish your opponent’s position the record. Whether it is League of Women Voters, your local Chamber of Commerce or any other organization, you need to make sure you have a video recording of every debate you are in, both to critique your own performance and to make sure if your opponent says something truly foolish, you have it on the record.
Should I ask for Debates?
Yes. Absolutely yes. If you intend to serve in office being willing to stand in front of the public and discuss the differences between yourself and your opponent is important for your campaign. There are candidates who suffer stage fright, worry about how they will perform and don’t like the format of a state debate.
The organizations that offer debates or candidate forums do so in order to better inform the public. Refusing to participate in these forums takes away a free press opportunity from your campaign and provides your opponent with a talking point.
If you ask for a debate with your opponent and they refuse, that will also generate news, and as we’ve said before, there is nothing wrong with earned media.
Point. Pivot. Punch.
Some of us have spent our life, in one form or another, doing debate. From high school Lincoln-Douglas to Policy, or collegiate debate, there are a few people out there who live and breathe the subject matter. An academic debate or a debate with established rules, points and structure, isn’t similar to a political debate.
Political debates are governed by the 3 P’s:
- Respond to a question with your point.
- Pivot to your position on the issue or a connecting issue.
- Punch. Point out the problem with your opponent’s handling of the issue if possible and toss it back to them.
How do you develop your three P’s? Well, that comes through a fourth P — preparation. Before you get into a debate, take time to review how you want to address the common questions. Make sure you feel comfortable with your answers. Try to understand your opponent’s positions and their weaknesses.
Make your point on the question. Pivot to your solution or the broader issue, fire back at your opponent with why their option is wrong before they get to make a statement. This is your chance to help define your opponent.
Responding to Punches
Entering into a forum also means your opponent or an audience member may ask a question or raise an attack on you as well. Again, remember the three P’s, respond to the point, pivot to your argument, and throw a punch back.
In many ways, you need to think of these community forums a bit like a game of volleyball. Don’t let a punch or attack on your character stand without a response.
Final Thoughts
Jessica Jones has two upcoming candidate forums. The local PTA is providing for a candidate forum, and the League of Women Voters will be staging a debate the following week. These are opportunities to discuss the issues with a large group of people who care about the issues and are actively involved.
Recently, midwest Republicans dismissed these events saying “they don’t matter” because their supporters don’t go to them. They all lost. In state races, community forums and public debate are about more than just a confrontation between you and your opponent. They show a willingness to interact with voters and a respect for the community you plan to represent.
Next week on Nuts & Bolts: Don’t Panic! Attack Ads, Mail & Slime
Nuts & Bolts: Building Democratic Campaigns
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Every Saturday this group will chronicle the ins and outs of campaigns, small and large. Issues to be covered: Campaign Staffing, Fundraising, Canvass, Field Work, Data Services, Earned Media, Spending and Budget Practices, How to Keep Your Mental Health, and on the last Saturday of the month: “Don’t Do This!” a diary on how you can learn from the mistakes of campaigns in the past.
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