Apr 20, 2008 - 04:05:08 CDT
Public speaking, like column writing, can be complex, especially when fumbling with words and grammar, sentence structure and order.But it can also be simple: "Stand up, speak up and shut up."
I was told many years ago those seven words were the secret to successful public speaking. I had just joined Toastmasters, the international club dedicated to making speakers more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The advice wasn't official club instruction, only words of wisdom from one of the club's mentors.
Years later another older and respected orator told me his secret to public speaking: "Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and then sum up what you told them."
Good advice from both men.
This is a column about press conferences, with opinion about when or why they should or shouldn't be held - and this short missive will end with a summary of thoughts.
In my tenure as a newspaper reporter and editor, it has become evident that politicos love to hold press conferences, whether or not they have anything of significance to say - especially during the election season, which is upon us.
So I wasn't surprised when Sen. Tim Mathern held a news conference last week, possibly his first "media event" since being crowned the Democratic-NPL candidate for governor. I like Mathern - he seems a fine man - but his news conference was a bust, even though television news coverage later that evening made the staged event seem much more important than it was.
An electronic advisory had trumpeted the call that Mathern would "talk about how Gov. John Hoeven needs to clear the air about his race for an unprecedented third four-year term."
In reading between that line, it seemed Mathern wanted to talk about how Hoeven should reveal if he is planning a run for Senate or Congress.
An e-mail and later phone call made to Democratic-NPL headquarters asked for a "clearing of the air" of what was meant by Mathern wanting Hoeven to "clear the air."
Suspicions were confirmed.
At the press conference, Mathern repeated the challenge, as did the release handed out to those in attendance and an electronic press release that popped into the never-ending e-mail supply not long after the media gathering.
Here's the deal. Why was a press conference necessary?
No deal.
Mathern had (and has) every right to use that challenge as the bellwether issue to kick off his campaign. But it's really much ado about nothing in terms of election issues, and he and his strategic team of advisers made a campaign mistake.
With all due respect to Mathern, the topic of this press conference was a loser. The "media event" was wasted time and effort.
First, Hoeven has said he is running for governor and plans to spend four more years in office. So what clarification is needed? I've never heard of a political candidate running for a four-year office announce in advance that he/she would be moving on in two years to seek higher office, even though some do move on.
Second, if Hoeven announced today he'd be moving on in two years (an unimaginable comment from a politician), to challenge U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (or someone else), would a significant number of Hoeven voters then vote for Mathern? That premise is a straw-dog fallacy.
Mathern's position is relevant only to his supporters, and it is difficult to accept that the "clearing of the air" challenge was a well-thought-out first shot in the governor's race - or enough of a seminal thought or event to warrant a press conference.
An electronic news release stating the senator's position would have sufficed, at least for the print media, who don't rely on talking-head-behind-podium video to determine news value.
This might sound harsh, but it sums up this column: The political reality is that Hoeven likely can't be beaten. That doesn't mean Mathern should give up the fight.
It does mean he can't win unless he takes up substantial issue debate and dialog in public places, bypassing the dog-and-pony shows at the Kennedy Memorial Center presented to the public by a following of media sheep.
Here's good advice for all candidates during this political season. If you're going to hold a press conference, make it meaningful. Pick your spots and issues wisely. Don't try to trick the media into showing up at staged events where the air will be cleared. Just be clear about the topic. Honesty is the best policy. And substance is most important.
Otherwise, the sheep will stray.
(You can reach Editor John Irby at 250-8266 or john.irby @bismarcktribune.com and go to www.bismarcktribune.com /blog/?w=thepaper&e_id=2671/ to read his blog.)
To: The ND Democratic Party wrote on Apr 22, 2008 12:44 AM:
Hope they don't call me for a campaign contribution! I might die of laughter before hanging up! "
To: Joes wrote on Apr 20, 2008 9:52 PM:
Mathern-Boucher, both of whom, not ironically, but cynically, in view of this dumb "press conference" about Hoeven's intentions, will both remain in the Legislature WHEN THEY DECISIVELY LOSE this fall to Hoeven-Dalrymple, thereby having wasted countless time and money to a hopeless cause (by the way, Republican Party, I assume you have taken note of this discrepancy!).
Is this not the worst demo ticket in the history of North Dakota? Certainly the worst and most hopeless in memory.
At the state level, I admit to being Republican. But I hate George "W." And I think our state government is a bit too one-sided, especially in the Legislature, where there are far too many Republicans who need to step aside for "new blood," but will never do so until they die, as they keep getting re-elected. These are the people who propagated "WSI-Gate." Also these are the people, because of overwhelming numbers, squash all debate and decorum.
But if the dems ever want to be engaged in this process on a meaningful level, they need to look themselves square in the eye, and not nominate losers...or nobody at all! "
Joes wrote on Apr 20, 2008 8:33 PM:
Great Article! wrote on Apr 20, 2008 10:09 AM:
You think this first "press conference" was a disaster. Just wait see these two old-idea legislators in a debate with Hoeven! "
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