New Dean Slogan...Kick their Ass

[mjb4]

take back the presidency! It is a take on the kick their ass take their gas bumper sticker! GO DEAN! Dean's Gonna Bring it!

[StopTheMorans]

1. I am a Dean supporter

with an honest critique to add from today's Good Morning America interview: Dean did great on the issues, especially when Matt (how do you spell his last name?) Lauer? tried to pigeonhole him in the last 10 seconds with the question : are you too liberal to be president (to which he answered something to the effect of "if balancing the budget is liberal, then I'm guilty as charged" <not those words, but same general effect, great answer>)
Here is my problem with his interview: he stuttered too much, smiled rarely (twice I think), and blinked at an alarming rate (this is what first caught my eye, I counted blinks in one minute towards the end of the interview, and it was 77, which is extremely high). I like Dean, and his supporters keep saying he'll work on his speaking issues, but he needs to work on these traits sooner than later. Not just because they are unappealing on television, but they tend to make the average person think he is not telling the truth or is unsure of himself (needs to blink less, smile a bit <not much, he doesn't need to be Katie Couric> more, and not stutter when he is giving answers, this will make him appear more confident and less like he has something to hide. Just my thoughts:)

[bif]

2. Not to worry

Bush looked like a fuckin' moron on tv when he was running for office and look what happened.

[StopTheMorans]

3. I know, this is what scares me

the STRONG possibility that people would rather have a president they can "drink a beer with" rather than a president who is "competent". I think one of the main reasons that shrub got elected is b/c gore appeared stiff and aloof in the debates (I was really excited about seeing gore debate bush, but he came across as uptight and almost whiny, even though shrub didn't have a f*ckin clue what he was talking about, people liked his "sincerity"). I am very afraid that people will write Dean off specifically b/c he is so brash. Is this an unfounded concern? I really think his campaign team should work with him on his manner in interviews, I really see that as his main (and not a huge) weakness.

[pansypoo53219]

4. i hate beer

but i would rather sit next to Dean for a drink, than the retard Bush.

[StopTheMorans]

5. I agree completely

i'm saying that your average 'murikan (no slam intended to you average americans out there) is often put off by someone who is direct and "in-your-face" without showing a more human side (i.e. all Dean has to do is appear a bit more at ease with whomever he is speaking with, and his own policies, and he will do just fine:)

on edit: don't agree completely, I love beer:)

[ibegurpard]

6. You COUNTED blinks?

Christ...give me a break.
As for what the "average" American is going to notice: I never noticed him blinking excessively. I think I am somewhat average.

[StopTheMorans]

7. yes I did

b/c in a debate in 1992 they did the same thing, and the winner of the debate who people overwhelmingly felt was "more comfortable and at ease" was Clinton, with the least amount of blinks. You can discount it all you want, but if you want Dean to be more "electable" as I do, do some minor research on body language. Both blinking and stuttering (if you don't have a speech impediment) indicate nervousness, which often accompanies insecurity in either the situation, yourself, or your ideas. If you are interviewing someone for a job, and they constantly blink, stutter, and do not smile, you would most likely assume the following: they are not confident in either their ideas, their knowledge, or their own person. It is simple body language, like I said, the only reason Gore "lost" the debates against Bush was his body language and mannerisms in the last few debates, it killed him. Say what you want, you can even discount the blinks, but the stuttering and lack of facial expression (he tends to look a bit "pinched") need to be addressed, he has to appear more at ease with himself and his ideas, it builds trust, plain and simple.