Act Like Politicians

E-mail from GJ June 2012

5. start acting like politicians.� Yes, more ptooie from everyone.� Tough.� If you want to be a part of the political arena, then act like you belong there.� One of the best politicians in this province in Jim Watson; currently mayor of Ottawa.� He doesn't lose his temper.� He is smooth like you wouldn't believe.� There is not one question that anyone can ask him that will phase him.� And he controls the city of Ottawa.� He's effective.� People like him (I don't, but I recognize skill when I see it).� We need to know how to answer questions from the press; don't get caught off guard and if you *are* caught off guard, learn how to respond to that.� Katrina's reaction to a "how are you different from the other parties" was telling; it looked like she was making it up on the spot.� I know she wasn't... that's not the point.� Perception is reality in politics.� If it looks like you lost your cool, then you've lost your cool.� Temper tantrums are hardly ever received well by the public.� If it looks like you're making it up, you might as well have made it up as far as the viewer is concerned.

Last point on that one.� The PC party ran an expensive and highly in-effective campaign in the last election.� Their message was "we're not the other guy".� It doesn't work.� You need to stand for something, *BUT* you need to stand for something that is within the realm of voters can accept.� Politicians need support to be effective.� Positive change means "what have you done for me lately".� Be prepared to answer that kind of question (or at least "what will you do for me").� Don't be flippant about it either.