We all know HRC’s faults: too intelligent, too careful with her words, too familiar with the complexities of government ( all things I really want in a President) to joke around with comments that could rock the markets or destabilize a developing country. But her other fault is that she will undoubtably overestimate the patience of a debate audience hungry for yucks and zingers. I have been fantasizing what kinds of responses might navigate the narrow path between wonk and media comic.
Of course, predicting Trump isn’t hard…
“You enabled your husband’s nonsense...”
“Since you are now conservative with respect to marriage, surely you are not criticizing me for keeping mine? Can we talk about policy now?"
“The Foundation was conflict of interest..."
“I donated my time to a great charity.You owe hundreds of millions to the Chinese government and Russian oligarchs. Can we talk about policy now?"
“You aren’t healthy"
“I actually got a physical and gave my doctor more than 5 minutes to write the report. Can we talk about policy now?"
“You had an email scandal...”
[PRACTICE THIS ONE] “Director Comey said I was careless. I believe I was technologically naïve. For example, I would never have imagined that Russian hackers would try to skew the election on your behalf. But I’ve apologized and know 100 times more about cybersecurity now. Can we move on to policy?”
Now, I know that the campaign doesn’t need me to help with debate prep! But there is a message here for all of us. We tend to overthink and under-listen. With a little luck, there could be a great drinking game: “Please, can we get back to policy?"
Many authors have said that in the last few years. In the classic debates of the last few decades the “pundits” have often declared the most erudite debater the winner, and the public has gone all the other way. Yes, there are still undecided voters. They don’t know if they can trust Hillary, and suspect Trump is a (not so) closet racist. They need support.
Simple answers that can be repeated at the water cooler the next morning win a debate. Take that to the coffee shop, too.
Please feel free to add your answers for Hillary to crib!