Mother Talkers

Your Elevator Speech

by lilianna28

Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:08:37 AM PDT

We all know it's gonna happen sooner or later- there is gonna be A (singular, solo, uno) Democratic Nominee. And if our Wednesday open thread is any indication, about half of us are gonna be elated and the other half are gonna be drowning their sorrows in their cocktail of choice. BUT the day after whatever day that is, we're all gonna pick ourselves up, dust our selves off, and join the cause- we're just those kind of people. I have been so relieved to see that regardless of our passion for the candidates, none of us seem to be making the "if X doesn't get the nomination, I'm voting for Nadar" claims (if I missed them, let me stay ignorant).

That said, Thom Hartmann (I am such a sucker for that show) was asking his callers today to make their "elevator speech" for the candidate they are NOT supporting currently. The idea being that when push comes to shove, Obamamanicas like me may be riding the elevator with an undecided voter and have to give a "here's is why I am totally voting for Hillary!" speech (or vice versa). As good patriotic democrats, we should not only be willing to do it if pressed, we should be happy and able to.

So it's early, but it's good to be prepared. If you would, please, post your elevator speech- but for the other guy. We'll know if you're cheating. This isn't a thread for debates, though of course there's no censoring or anything. If a poster is genuinely stumped feel free to give a few pointers about your candidate of choice, but do your best to stick to praising the other guy/gal. I think there are a million good reasons for each candidate, and it'll be interesting to see what everyone comes up with.

  • ::

Tags: politics, democratic nominee (all tags)

Permalink | 20 comments

  • Oh, mines easy. (0 / 0)

    We can't afford another republican.  Simple as that.  McCain might well prove to be Bush-on-steroids.  Look where that's gotten us...and overwhelming majority of Americans believe we are seriously on the "wrong track".  

    by tjb22 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:19:53 AM PDT

    • worse (0 / 0)

      I have a theory on McCain, that he very well might end up being worse than Bush.  Bush had the conservative street cred already when he got into office.  

      So many Republicans aren't too happy with their nominee.  I feel like McCain, like you said, could end up being Bush times ten, because he'll feel a need to prove himself.

      by NJmom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 10:30:34 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • fun! (0 / 0)

    My elevator speech would depend on the actual opening - I'd tailor it to the recipient:

    1.  She's really strong on foreign policy and has the respect of the top military brass.  Like Bush, she insists that the decision to invade Iraq was correct based on the information she had; unlike Bush, she can change course as the situation or information changes.  She's committed to getting us out of Iraq, but has also shown that she's not afraid to use military force if necessary.  She'll be a strong military leader; I think she's best qualified to get us out of a disastrous war.
    1.  She saw this health care crisis coming 15 years ago and tried to avert it.  Given the political climate at the time there was no way she could possibly succeed, but if she had we wouldn't be in this mess.  She's proactive, not reactive - that's what we need in the white house.  Somebody who doesn't wait for a disaster to get out of hand before acting.
    1.  Things have gotten pretty bad in the last 8 years.  But we can't change course with a republican at the helm; we're powerless with the current stalemate.  Love her or hate her, we need to give the Democrats a few years to see what they can do.

    Easy for me, though.  I like and respect her, and if she were not associated with the DLC I'd probably support her, even though I don't quite buy my own argument #1.

    by lyn on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:43:55 AM PDT

    • And she would nominate (0 / 0)

      Supreme Court Justices that wouldn't set us back 100 years.

      by tjb22 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 10:06:10 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    • my counterarguments (0 / 0)

      An elevator speech requires a short counterpoint that answers anticipated objections, so here are my 3:

      If my target responds with, "but she shouldn't have voted for Iraq in the first place" I say, "yes, but we're there now and need to leave.  McCain doesn't want us out at all".    However if he says, "but we can't pull out now" I say she's a hawk; she'll move slowly.

      If he says, "but her '92 healthcare plan was terrible" I say, "sure, but it was supposed to open the debate, start the ball rolling, and eventually lead to a compromise."  If he says her current plan is terrible, I say she's politically vulnerable here so needs to stay conservative during the campaign.  And if he points out that her first attempt was a disaster I blame Bill for not providing political coverage for an unelected first lady.

      If my target is a dedicated Hillary hater I don't argue, I just point out that if she's really awful she'll run into so much opposition she can't do much damage.  But with Dems in control we can still slow the rate of decline, and be in better shape for the next election.  Would it really be better to stay the course?

      by lyn on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 10:11:31 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Love that you want us to write the speech for the (0 / 0)

    candidate we don't currently support.  Gets me thinking in a more positive light...

    by Laura on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 10:18:44 AM PDT

  • Who is sharing the elevator with you? (0 / 0)

    I think a significant factor for me in answering this is, What do undecided voters make their voting decision based on?  You have to target your argument based on what you think they care about or the basis for their decision.

    I am sure that varies a lot by person.  If you look at the undecided voter and they're a young and interested but somewhat clueless female first time voter, you're going to want to give an argument, probably, that is different than the argument you would make to a 60 year old blue collar ex-steelworker.  For example A I might talk about reproductive rights but for example B I might talk about Clinton's greater grasp of the economy relative to McCain, for example.

    It's a good question, though.

    Katherine

    by pat of butter in a sea of grits on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:35:34 AM PDT

  • Hillary for President! (0 / 0)

    I support Hillary Clinton for President because she is a visionary. She has been up front on issues that matter to me as a decent person and a mom for decades- for equal human rights, protection for our children, health care for everyone. She is the champion for the underprivileged   and often times ignored. She understands what I firmly believe- that as a country we a re a community, that no man is alone and what we do affects not only our own lives but everyone around us. Her policies will strengthen this country from within. She supports the middle class. She may not be a part of it, but she understands that long hours, low wages and the widening gap between the classes is a moral atrocity.

    Big picture, we cannot afford another Republican in the White House. I cannot tolerate even the thought of another 4, 8 years of corrosive policies. It's my obligation to my daughter, to my future kids, to clean up this god forsaken mess and I know Hillary will do it. I may not have agreed with her campaign tactics but I understand them. You can't turn the Titanic from the deck- you've got to get behind the wheel and she's done what she's had to. She's withstood immense challenges personally, professionally, and she's come out stronger for them. She is an excellent roll model for my kids, and I would be proud to vote for her, campaign for her, support her.

    This was a plesant reminder of the awesomeness of HRC

    by lilianna28 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 12:02:35 PM PDT

  • Great diary (0 / 0)

    HRC

    1.  Is competent.  She can and will get things done.  
    1.  She has participated heavily in a successful presidency in the past, and I have confidence that she if anyone can clean up some of even all of the mess the last administration has made, she can.
    1.  Is an "insider" in a good way.  Major republican players know and are terrified of her.

    I know that doesn't sound like very many reasons, but I feel that, for me, they are very convincing ones.  I have complete confidence in Hillary as president.

    As for you, my beautiful real Hillary supporter sisters?  I've been wanting to say that I think that she has faced a lot of sexism, damned if she does and damned if she doesn't, and it's been unacceptable.

    by Erin on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 04:30:55 PM PDT

  • Why I will vote for Hillary (0 / 0)

    1. She is passionate about children's issues, healthcare, and reducing poverty.
    1. She has key connections and a strong political machine.  Corny to say, but she will "hit the ground running".
    1. She has a war exit strategy.  
    1. We need a woman in the White House.
    1. We need a Democrat in the White House.

    by slackermom on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:08:08 PM PDT

  • No Obama speeches? (0 / 0)

    by Erin on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 07:55:55 AM PDT

Permalink | 20 comments