Posted by
Playful Walrus on Saturday, August 08, 2009 12:00:00 PM
Things are really heating up. If your elected representatives are hosting an "open house" or a townhall over the next month or two, you can make a difference by attending, and bringing along some friends who are also in that representative's area. Thank the representative for the things he or she has done that you have liked, and don't be afraid to bring up what you haven't liked and why.
Make the most of your access to your representative, whether we are talking about the President, a Congressman, or a Mayor.
These tips below come from a friend of mine who works with elected officials, is a communications and public speaking expert, and has extensive public relations experience. He has graciously and anonymously submitted them for publication here on The Playful Walrus.
Prepare:
1) Determine the nature of the event ahead of time. Are there set topics? What is the elected representative likely to talk about? Will they be taking questions and in what format? Check the website and call ahead if you need to. If it is going to be at some facility you can access ahead of time, you may want to drop by to get the lay of the land. Pay attention as you arrive to try to get a feel for the event and the crowd that is showing up. It will help if you get there early!
2) Dress and groom appropriately (modestly, humbly?). Right or wrong, people will make some judgments about you by the way you appear. Remember your accessories – jewelry, pins, buttons, etc. - what do they say about you?
3) Bring a recording device if possible, appropriate to the nature of the event. Err on the side of bringing something you don’t end up using. This may help in not only recording the representative’s statements, but also any shenanigans by others such as Leftist activists.
Plan What You May Say Ahead of Time:
4) Consider your audience. Who are you trying to convince and of what? The representative? The other attendees? Those who will see the even replayed via professional or audience media?
5) Refine and practice your talking points. You may want to develop them based on the representative's usual talking points. Bring along their own words if need be, such as from campaign materials or speeches. Prioritize your messages. What do you want to talk about? Bailouts? Judicial appointments? Deficits? Taxes? Obamacare? Cap and trade? DOMA? National defense? Border control? Fighting terrorists? Don't ramble and avoid using partisan jargon. Get your point across as succinctly as possible.
6) Personalize it - tell YOUR story:
"I came to this country legally and became a citizen as soon as I could…"
"My parents came to this country…"
"We left the old country because…"
"I grew up poor, but I’ve made it this far…"
"I worked three jobs at once to get ahead…"
"I work long days and long weeks…"
"I put myself through school…"
"I've worked my way up the ladder…"
"I've built my business…"
"I pay my bills and have been responsible with my money…"
"I am a victim of lawsuit abuse…"
"Because of the tax laws…"
"I am a veteran…"
"I am a homeowner…"
"I am a landlord…"
"I'm a parent…"
"I'm a union member because I don't have a choice, and my union leaders do not speak for me when they…"
"I have invested in…"
"I was adopted…"
"I think my doctor is the greatest…"
"I'm happy with my insurance…"
"I suffered through a crime…"
"I am encountering red tape that is keeping me from…"
Refrain from quoting or paraphrasing a political talk show host, columnist, or author, unless you are trying to get the representative to go on record opposing that statement. You aren't there because of what Rush said. You are there because YOU are facing consequences from what the representative is doing.
If You Get the Chance to Speak:
7) Start with "thanks". Thank the representative and his or her staff for putting this event together and for meeting with you. Do this even if you can barely stand to be in the same room as them.
8) Secondly, tell the politician what you like about him or her or what he or she has done, even if you really have to look hard to find it.
9) Next, if you voted for this person, say so. If you contributed in some other way to the campaign, say so. They don't want to lose support. (If you did not contribute or vote in this way, don't mention that. If they already know you're a staunch supporter of their political rivals, they'll be more dismissive.)
10) It's good to let them know you are angry (if you are), but you're not going to win over anyone by being belligerent. Explain why you are angry ("I didn't buy a house using a crazy mortgage; I waited until I could actually afford it, and yet I am punished…") and what you plan to do about it. Point out that you are willing to speak out, write letters, call, blog, text, demonstrate, walk precincts, raise funds, and vote. Be assertive and tenacious, but polite.
11) Ask questions whenever possible, as mere assertions are easy to ignore. For example, "Why do you think you need to intrude into my doctor's office, which is what this legislation does?" is better than "I don't want you in my doctor’s office with me." Questions demand an answer. Assertions do not.
12) Do not allow a dodge. Don't be afraid to point out that they didn't actually answer the question, if they didn't. If appropriate, ask for verifiable commitments ("Will you promise us that you will not vote to increase taxes on capital gains?")
13) Don't be hesitant to condemn statements or actions of any disruptive "right wing" folks (quite possibly Leftist imposters) who make a scene there. You know the type – those who use racist slurs, call for actual inappropriate violence, or assert some bizarre conspiracy theory.
Finally:
14) Don't be dissuaded or intimidated from going or speaking. Stand up for your rights!
Feel free to share these tips, but please link back to The Playful Walrus.