Now that it officially (finally) a Presidential Election Year, it's time to address the overdone, overheated rhetoric candidates are using in their primary races. So much shouting, exaggerating, trying to outdo each other while burnishing their party credentials. Making sure they have the boldest words and phrases to express their ideas and ideals. The result is a lot of hot air and posturing! It would be funny if it were not so worrisome. We can expect this sort of fervid oratory until the conventions at least. And if the most outrageous speaker of the bunch was not already getting so much media attention, I would dissect his bombastic style. But others have already done this, quite well, so I need not add to the discussion.
Instead, I look forward to the time after the nominations, when the great swath of "undecided" or unaffiliated voters will be wooed by the remaining candidates. The nominees will need to switch out their "passionate" language for a more reasoned, reasonable one. After all, you can't get people to listen to you, let alone support you, if they feel you are attacking them. I was happy to hear Shankar Vendatum on NPR discuss this very topic last month: "The problem is that the arguments that we make are the arguments that usually convince people who are like us. They don't speak the language of our opponents, and when you think about it, the only people you need to persuade are the ones who don't agree with you." Bottom line: if you are using language that does not mirror that of the people you are trying to convince, you won't connect with them. And you can't sway their opinion if there is no connection.
Politicians who try to correct their previous over-statements by reaching out to those with different views are derided as "flip-floppers." I suppose such distortion of intent is bound to happen in a 24/7 news cycle. Fortunately, the rest of us aren't under such scrutiny. We can--and should--always try to make our case using words and examples that can be understood by those we are speaking with. Shift your perspective a bit to reflect theirs. Avoid using words or images that set off alarm bells in their heads. This is not to say that you need to "play along" and "placate" those who oppose you, but going into a discussion with the intention of smacking down your opponent rarely ends well in any sort of grown-up, real-world interaction.
The display of passion can be effective, but only if judiciously employed. According to Google, "wise," "prudent," and "sensible" are all synonyms for "politic." That's good to remember in this year of 2016.
artwork: Political Drama (1914) by Robert Delaunay, courtesy National Gallery of Art
