Authenticity and the Race for the White House

Posted on January 9, 2012. Filed under: Latest News Leave a Comment

I’ll start the new year with a post on one of my favorite subjects: Authenticity.

I will always keep my blog free of my personal political opinions, but I have plenty to say about the communication styles displayed by the candidates. As you might imagine, the political season is like a candy store for someone in my line of work.  It has been of no surprise to me that Mitt Romney has trouble connecting with the masses, because he seems uncomfortable around them.  His jokes seem forced; his body language stiff. You rarely get the sense that you’re seeing the real Mitt Romney. Newt Gingrich may appear arrogant and bloviating, but that’s the real Newt.  Rick Perry? Boy Howdy, he is himself. Ron Paul? He really is someone’s crazy uncle, and not afraid to let his personal truths hang out. Huntsman and Santorum both appear more stiff, but there personalities seem genuine.

It’s interesting that the front-runner – the presumed Republican Nominee – gets lukewarm reaction, even among his supporters.  When it comes to  effective communication, what one says is often less important than how one says it.  When Mitt’s opponents shoot insults at him, we’d like to see him get fired up. Instead, he defaults to an awkward smile that hides an authentic reaction.  His attempts at humor fall flat, because we get the sense that he is repeating someone elses joke (a joke that he doesn’t necessarily get).

Mitt Romney needs to be careful. If one of his opponents comes up with some traction, republicans may fall in line behind someone who better connects with real people.

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