Now the dust has settled on the great debate between the two vice-presidential running mates, it’s a good time to take a look at the performance of Sarah Palin, the moose shooting, winking hockey-mom. Most pundits … reluctantly … scored the candidates about equal. Many appeared disappointed that Gov Palin exceeded what were, admittedly, low expectations of her performance. They had been relishing the prospect of the public humiliation of a woman who, days earlier, had appeared up to her antlers in trouble as she incoherently stumbled her way through a thicket of non- sequiturs when trying to answer a simple question put by television anchor-woman Katie Couric.
Image by feastoffools via Flickr
We should not have been so surprised at her ability to handle the situation. Her performance at the Republican National Convention had the delegates braying in approval, and baying for Democratic blood as we learnt of the threat to Alaskan wildlife posed by Russian bears.
What was the reason for her success? Fair to say it was probably her sticking tightly to a script, and taking a week out to prepare for the debate. Undoubtedly she was coached during this time. Perfect preparation makes for powerful performance. The format of the debate and the set piece of the convention speech allowed Gov Palin to stick to what had been rehearsed. It was only when in the interview situation that the tables turned and the hunter became the hunted.
The other asset the lady has is her own, albeit homespun … some would say hick, style … goshdarnit. She does have the ability to connect to her audience, a vital skill for the politician. She is at home and relaxed when being herself and not attempting to be someone else. We try to project a different persona at our peril. Unless you’re a trained actor, you too should be comfortable with developing your own style.
So for the aspiring public speaker the lessons are: prepare well, stick to the script and as much as possible … and appropriate to the situation … be yourself.
BUT … if your job is impersonating someone else, take a look at how the Saturday Night Live team parody the debate. SNL has been providing satirical comment on the US election most spectacularly via actor Tina Fey who impersonates Sarah Palin. The SNL site has taken over 5 million hits in the last couple of weeks.
Vice Presidential debate: parody on SNL
And here they go again as they parody Katy Couric’s interview with Gov Palin.
Enjoy!
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