Post 9: Campaigning with your face

It's all about presentation.

As I read updates on the Poizner/Whitman debate last name (I have no access to television really here on campus), I began to think of how much putting your face on camera affects, whether for good or for bad, one's campaign. And I began to think about how much more aggressive technology allows candidates to be as opposed to say 20 years ago.

Assemblyman David Jones, running to be California's next insurance commissioner, carries around his own camera crew to film his speeches and engagements. Why? Most likely so he can produce his own ads later.

Through social media like Facebook and Twitter, politicians can add people to their friend list and keep voters updated. 

One can't help but see their faces online, on TV -- everywhere.

I can't help but think back about the infamous Nixon/Kennedy presidential debate in 1960, in which those listening to the radio were sure Nixon took the debate, while those watching TV were certain Kennedy had won hands down.

Presence and presentation.

Without a strong presence and presentation, candidates cannot win the respect of the voters anymore. 

I sometimes wonder how much weight people give to candidates' actual arguments. When Obama was running for office, the most typical comment I heard about him was that he was a great speaker. And that he is. His calm, but certain demeanor, coupled with his excellent use of the English language, I think, played a large part in helping him with the November 2008 election. 

But running an office, unlike running for office, cannot be about presentation. It's about following through with what one said they would do in all those presentations.

And since it's all about presentation instead of anything substantial, that value is reflected in things like last night's GOP debate. 

All Poizner wanted to do was point out his opponent's flaws. All Whitman could do was defend herself. Things got rather nasty.

The candidates were too busy making the other person look back and themselves look good to focus on the actual arguments.

Alas, politics are politics. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like things will change any time soon. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/la-me-campaign-videos-20100503,0,1821303.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fpolitics%2Fcal+%28L.A.+Times+-+California+Politics%29&utm_content=Google+Reader