Obama just turned last night's debate into a campaign issue by mspicata [Subscribe]
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 11:56:38 AM PDT
You may now officially stop worrying about last night's debate. Obama has stopped worrying about it, and has started using it as a weapon:
"I will tell you, it does not get much more fun than these debates. They are inspiring events," Mr. Obama quipped. "Last night, I think we set a new record because it took us 45 minutes before we even started talking about a single issue that matters to the American people. It took us 45 minutes!" "Forty-five minutes before we heard about health care. Forty-five minutes before we heard about Iraq," he continued. "Forty-five — 45 — minutes before we heard about jobs. Forty-five minutes before we heard about gas prices."
If he keeps this up, the powers that be won't know what hit them.
In sales, there's a technique known as the pivot. In involves using the customer's own language -- often negative -- and turning it into an advantage. I understand why you are concerned about the low gas mileage, ma'am; that relatively low number is a direct result of the power this baby has, power to get you out of trouble on the road. That's the classic example, of course; real pivoting is done so subtly that the recipient isn't aware that it's happening.
Obama just executed a perfect pivot. It involves: a recognition of what's just been done; a profession of unconcern about it, and a turn toward what's really important. Like this:
"That was the roll-out of the Republican campaign against me in November. That is what they will do," Mr. Obama said. "They will try to focus on all these issues that don’t have anything to do with how you pay your bills at the end of the month." ...
"Look, I understand that because that’s the text book Washington game. That’s how our politics has been taught to be played," Mr. Obama said. "That’s the lesson that she learned when the Republicans were doing that same thing to her back in the 1990s. So I understand it and when you’re running or the presidency than you’ve got to expect it."
...
He told the audience that he intended to let the criticism roll off of him. As he spoke, he made a dramatic gesture of wiping off his sleeves and dusting off his dark suit.
"That’s what you got to do," he said, drawing loud applause from the audience. "That’s what you’ve got to do. But understand this, that is also precisely why I’m running for president – to change that kind of politics."
Speaking as a sales person, it was masterful. If he keeps doing this, you can fuggedabout ABC, and Clinton, and McCain. Obama's got game, and if he keeps this up, there's no one who can stop him.