Can a Clown Candidate Project Presidential Poise?

Bill and George on Trump’s latest mayhem…

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George: Terminally ill people “stay alive long enough to vote for me”. And talking to himself, "We're going to be nice and cool, nice and cool, stay on point, Donald, stay on point," during a rally. "No sidetracks Donald, nice and easy."

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Bill: This is a candidate who is presidential material? One who asks dying people to forget their suffering and go vote  just to gratify his ego? One whose inner speech comes out in muttered public ramblings?

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George: So what is “being presidential” all about? You had it. I had it. This clown doesn’t.

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Bill: Calmness over becoming hysterical. Politeness over being insulting. Subtle but not simplistic. Witty, not clownish.

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Voice-over

It is a time to be fearful when swathes of the U.S. population vote not for someone fit for the job of president but who triggers their hate.

As John Kerry says, it’s “downright embarrassing” to have a presidential candidate who doesn’t even acknowledge climate change and that the presidential contest has been “a humiliating time for America”.

Barack Obama goes further and says the “fate of the world” is at risk if Trump takes over.

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One more thing

Larry and Bill discuss conducting.

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Bill: I think interview film directors can learn something from Hollywood.

Larry: Hollywood?

Bill: Interviews are pretty boring if they are talking heads. Smart editing, archive footage, text inserted, this all helps move the story along.

Larry: It’s not always about stories.

Bill: Well, you as an interviewer, and the conductor of an orchestra, you’re both trying to control unruly sounds.

Larry: Right.

Bill: So I’m just saying, sometimes you have to control what happens at the beginning, and in the middle, and how it all finishes.

Larry: Right again. BME. Know what you mean. Garrot the garrulous.

Bill: What do you do when someone grabs the mike and won’t let go? And they keep saying, “Oh and one more thing.”

Larry: Conductors have their baton. An interviewer has that cut dead question ready.

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Voiceover

A well-structured story generally has a beginning, a middle and end (BME). An interview may also have these components. It is however, more difficult to get the BME balance right in a live interview. Indeed, too much concern with structure can lose you those revealing remarks that make your audience suspend their breathing. Conducting an interview: having that instinct for knowing when to listen, knowing when to break in.

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Crosswords

Bill is busy on crosswords but Hillary wants him on other work.

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Hill: Did you see that photo Drudge got of me? I need a better public image.

Bill: I’m working on it. I’m sending this to the New York Times crossword editor.

Hill: I need some good photos, Bill.

Bill: We need words, too, Hill.

Hill: How can a crossword help?

Bill: I’m writing clues. First woman president in 7 letters. Mother of Chelsea in 7 letters. Husband of Bill in 7 letters.

Hill: All the words in the puzzle the same? I still think photos are more powerful than a subliminal approach.

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Voiceover

Politicking involves exposing yourself in public. But decently, with dignity and if possible, discreetly. The paparazzi are all too keen to catch uncomplimentary shots, which may be why JFK always hid himself when eating. Hillary has to monitor her expressions, and like anyone middle-aged, check for blemishes and manage harsh lighting. Bill, a man of words for policy or play, suggests a discreet tactic. Have any candidates used this one yet?

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