Political Speech Writing Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind. F. Scott Fitzgerald TWO THINGS YOU MUST DO TO BE GREAT: READ AND LISTEN Key Elements of Great Speechwriting are PASSIVE There is only one rule for being a good talker - learn to listen. Christopher Morely Perfect combination of Informative and Persuasive Speeches You must know your audience FIRST Political Speeches You must seize every opportunity to separate yourself – by definition, it’s a RACE Sarah Palin RNC 2008 Barack Obama Victory Speech 2008 Hillary Clinton - Super Tuesday Trump wins big – Super Tuesday CANDIDATE DECIDES TO RUN: NOW WHAT? Strategist Pollster Media Messaging Finance Camps also include Campaign Manager, Press Secretary, Fundraiser, Essential Staff (office personnel, drivers, security, etc) and many, many volunteers. It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech. Mark Twain RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH What do I now know? AUDIENCE IMMIGRATION JOBS HIT HARD BY RECESSION YAHOOS/INDEPENDENT SPIRITS GUNS, GUNS, AND MORE GUNS RELIGIOUS FEEL POSITIVE CURRENT GOVERNOR HAS GREAT APPROVAL RATING PRIMARY VOTER IS: WHITE MALE 62+ TEA PARTY SUPPORTER GENERAL ELECTION VOTER IS: MODERATE, BOTH GENDERS, PRIMARILY WHITE & HISPANIC ONLY 41% OF ARIZONANS WERE BORN IN AZ What do I now know? CANDIDATE FORMER AIR FORCE ROTC ATTENDED AUBURN UNIVERSITY BOTH A CPA AND A LAWYER WORKED IN LA DIST ATTY OFFICE – HARD CORE GANG UNIT BORN & RAISED IN DENVER HUSBAND A COLONEL IN THE AIR FORCE WORK IN PRIVATE LAW FIRM WAS FOUNDING PARTNER OF GO DADDY – SOLD COMPANY FOR 2.5 BILLION in 2012 GO DADDY AN INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS, CONTROLS 30% OF ALL INTERNET TRAFFIC, PUMPS BILLIONS INTO ARIZONA ECONOMY NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE NO CHILDREN, HUSBAND 20 YEARS OLDER FIRST MEET CANDIDATE: Timbre Articulation Accent Commonly Used Phrases ASK: MORE LISTENING Life Story? Greatest Strength? Biggest Weakness? Most Proud of? Most Ashamed of? Why do you want to be Governor? YOUR ASSIGNMENT Running for Student Government What do I now know? AUDIENCE Who votes for Student Government President? Make up of student body? Who is engaged? What do they think is best about NP? What is worst about NP? What language best communicates? How did past presidents get elected? What do I now know? CANDIDATE Teacher Knight Crier Baseball Coach Emcees everything – name recognition Never been SGA President Smart, but intense Capable public speaker Deeply entrenched in NP community – friends & opposition ASK 3 STUDENTS 3 QUESTIONS: WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT NP? WHAT IS NOT GREAT ABOUT NP? FOR TOMORROW WHO MAKES THE BIG DECISIONS AT NP?