"Inside" Candidate's Debate Camps
The media's is focused this week on the McCain and Obama's debate preparations, curious about what goes on in the "quasi-secret" debate camps. I was asked about what happens in preparing candidates this morning on KCBS radio San Francisco and, while only guesswork, can anticipate part of what is happening near Tampa and wherever McCain is prepping. (Welcome readers who linked to debatescoop from KCBS's web page).
The truth of the matter is that debate preparation is not that striking. Practice answers, anticipate questions, make it tougher than Friday, and build to a focused, confident, and relaxed candidate. The candidates will spend time fielding questions, sparing with opponent stand-ins (Greg Craig for Obama, Michael Steele for McCain), and humoring zealous handlers.
My recommendation for "Debate Camp" prep:
- Get some sleep - these candidates have to be exhausted. Mistakes happen when the internal governor is not working.
- Relax - debates are different but not that much different than what candidates face everyday. Approach the debate as "normal" not some esoteric event to be mastered.
- Reflect - take the rare time to frame the larger picture, who are you really talking to. Both candidates increasingly seem to be speaking to their base, what singular message will bring them home.
- Don't over prep - too much new information only serves to confuse. Briefing books should be brief. They are more for preparing the prepares than the frayed candidate
- Practice answers - the only thing that can come out of one's mouth is what's in your head. Practice saying what takes five minutes in 30 seconds.
- Discuss with a small number of advisers- Too many cooks spoil the broth. Everyone wants to contribute, yet however "relevant," diminishing returns kick in.
- Take a risk - candidate should not be risky, but they need to take some risks. It is the spontaneous genuine moments that separate. Reagan claimed his statement, "I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience" was not planned. It just fit; it was the election.
- Be genuine - authenticity always trumps.
