Lynn Espinoza is a broadcast news veteran with more than a decade of media, presentation and executive coaching experience. She has developed personal coaching sessions for Fortune 100 C-level executives, corporate communicators of all kinds, doctors, lawyers and leaders in non-profit.
A Dissapointing Debate
Posted on April 17, 2008. Filed under: Latest News
Oh, I had been hoping for something more. The Great Pennsylvania Debate turned into a slow rake over old coals - especially for Senator Obama. Some say the real loser was ABC News - I say voters lost the most. It was an opportunity to move the conversation forward - on health care, the economy, our image abroad. Instead, more than half of the time was spent on Reverend Wright, “bitterness” and Bosnia. Each was of interest weeks ago - time to move on.
When I realized that I wasn’t going to hear any interesting answers or insight, I began watching purely as a communications coach. The 90-minutes were much more fun that way.
Eye Contact: Obama wins. Both candidates seemed to be working at ignoring the camera altogether. That’s a mistake. The people on the other side of the camera (you and I) are more important than the relatively small crowd in Independence Hall. To connect with us, they should have looked squarely into the camera from time to time. They didn’t. That said, Obama locked his eyes intently on his questioner. His eyes were focused, never darting. This allowed him to look calm, controlled and truthful. Clinton seemed not to know where to look, and her eyes darted uncomfortably - seeming to not look at anything or anyone. Her eye contact conveyed ‘unsure’ at best, ’shifty’ at worst.
Tone: Oh please! Those two went so far to ‘nice it up’ that both lost their edge. It reminded me of the first debate - a love fest that ended in a hug. Blark! It didn’t ring true for either one of them. When they were talking issues - they were both pretty strong. I just don’t think you can beat Obama’s silky-strong voice. Recently, we’ve heard Clinton sounding strident or maudlin, both so unbecoming. I think she does so much better when she just talks - rather than when she emotes. She sounded like she was going to fake-cry a couple of weeks ago on the anniversary of Dr. King’s death. She took on a freaky back-woods accent earlier this week when talking about how her grandpa took her behind the shed to teach her to shoot. She’s not a very good actress. Last night, though, she was pretty strong. Who won on tone? I think it’s a draw.
Body Language. Clinton wins. Wow, I didn’t expect that! Especially during those first 45-minutes, Obama was looking pretty rattled. Exasperated, maybe. His shoulders slumped, his breathing looked tense. As he lost command of his physical appearance, he also faltered on his verbal control. Turns out even Barrack Obama is flappable. I thought Senator Clinton was uncharacteristically superb in this regard. Proud posture, natural and strong gestures. She never looked rattled - which makes sense, because Obama took all the blows from the moderators.
As a communications coach, I’d call it a draw. They both had moments of great control and they both had some problems. As a voter, I’d say there was no big victory. Clinton needed to knock him out - she didn’t. Obama needed to be perfect - he wasn’t.
I wanted so much more. Didn’t you?
2 Responses to “A Dissapointing Debate”
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Keen eye. These nuances are important. I agree with your final statement. Clinton needed to knock him out. She didn’t. Obama needed to be perfect. He wasn’t.
And I must take exception with ABC for tape-delaying an important live event. In this day and age of instant information– tape delays of breaking news are a no-no.
Great insite I am afraid the only winner is Sen. McCaine as there is virtually no chance these two will be on the same ticket and once they finish up at the democratic convention and finally pick one it will be too late to bring a win about against the repulicans.