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Sep
6
Warning: This post deals in impressions that fall into the “better left unsaid” category. But I’ve left this sense unsaid since the Strickland-Flannery Meet the Bloggers debate and now, I’m posting these impressions because I want Congressman Strickland to be Governor Strickland, and I think he needs a serious, professional voice and speech coach, now, if he doesn’t already have one.
So, here goes.
I like Ohio’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Congressman Ted Strickland. I like him a lot.
I’m going to vote for Ted Strickland. I’d vote for him a lot if I could. And under Ohio’s election system, I certainly could make a few attempts to do that. Who’d know, right? (just kidding)
Now, at age 65, not by any 21st Century standard is Ted Strickland old. He’s just not. I don’t think he is and no one else should either.
However, during the Strickland-Flannery debate, I definitely observed mannerisms, in gestures and speech, that provoked my synapses to order: “Grit teeth!” because they were perceiving Strickland as less than youthful. Sitting next to Bryan Flannery, who is a big, strapping sort, didn’t help. But I remember thinking, “Oh God, people are going to think he’s a doddering, grandfatherly type.”
Now, youth isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But, at 44, trying to run after three school-aged kids and everything else I wish I could do, honestly? I do not know how these candidates do what they do. Especially without drugs. I could never keep the schedules they keep. No way, no how.
And, of course, the image of a grandfather isn’t the worst thing that could be projected by a candidate, not by a long shot. Especially when you’ve got nincompoops who are younger trying to run this country and instead, running it and its reputation into the ground.
Nope, looking like a comforting grandfather who could never do ill is definitely not the worst thing that could be said about a candidate, even for governor. Maybe especially for governor, given how much care this state needs.
Fast forward to yesterday, when Strickland and his opponent, GOP nominee and current Secretary of State, Ken Blackwell, debated in Youngstown. You can read more about it here. I’ve read about it, I’ve watched some of it and I’ve heard some clips on the radio.
And it’s the clip that pushed me. I heard it this morning on WCPN.
Sigh.
It immediately, immediately, brought back memories of that one impression (among many, many others detailed in this post): at a few points, he sounded, in his voice, not his words or passion, less than youthful.
Now look – some people I know refuse to listen to Diane Rehm because her voice bothers them so much. She suffers from spasmodic dysphonia and takes leaves for treatment regularly.
And of course other people have voice issues that make them hard to listen to – if you’ve read A Prayer for Owen Meaney, you’ve probably had lots of fun trying to devise a voice in your head that matches what John Irving wants you to devise for Owen’s voice, which is supposed to be unlike any other human voice ever created.
Strickland’s voice isn’t anything like any of that. Do not make the mistake of misremembering or misquoting my comments out of context.
However, Strickland could so benefit from some coaching. Please, people who care about Ted Strickland and care about winning the Governorship and care about making strong impressions – am I really the only one who has noticed this very minor but still present blip in his performance abilities?
Over the last year, I’ve been asked more times than I can count, What makes your blog stand out – or something along those lines. And I almost always answer with some nod about asking questions or raising points that might be looney, but often aren’t unique to me. Of course, sometimes they are unique to me. And then sometimes, I learn, there’s a reason why no one else asks.
So – I apologize. I really mean all this. I am encouraging people to vote and donate to and support in whatever way they can Ted Strickland’s candidacy.
But from the inside, think about this. If people really don’t know him, and the first impressions they get of him, beyond short TV ad snippets, are the debates, really.
Speech and debate coaches are our friends.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:28 pm September 6th, 2006 in Politics
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6 Responses to “Ted Strickland and saying things better left unsaid”
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I’m not sure what your issue is.
If you’re getting at his accent…again, I don’t understand the issue. It’s there. As you’ve said, it comes and goes. zippy.
from what I heard during the broadcast, neither candidate was particularly smoooth yesterday.
Blackwell also has a serious hobble in this department-he comes off as an elitist who thinks he’s smarter than anyone else. He’s been that way since he was in Cincinnati, playing at being a moderate.
My guess is that Ohioans are far more likely to respond to the grandfather.
I’m certain you’re right. And I think of Bob Shamansky and how well he is doing and what a great presence I think he has. Nevertheless, when I saw the picture of Blackwell shaking hands with Strickland at the debate, I mean – Blackwell is huge. Strickland’s no little guy, and he is trim compared to Blackwell’s paunch. Still, maybe it’s just the latent lawyer in me, but I’d love to know that someone in the back is working with Ted. I should also confess: my older brother (who lives in Seattle and DESPISES Blackwell) is a speech pathologist who, years ago, devised computer programs to work with kids in schools and he also did work in hospitals with people who had injuries that affected their speech. So, I kind of notice these things.
I agree some voice coaching and speech coaching is in order. Dr. Victoria Wulsin, who is running in the second district, my home, against Mean Jean, obviously had coaching after the primary. She is doing remarkably well now. She really took the coaching to heart. I am so proud that she took the suggestion from someone and then did it. She hasn’t said anything publicly. It’s just noticeable. Perception, based on what people see, is so very important. Wulsin almost seems like a different candidate now. I think Ted could use some fine tuning, too.
Of course, he and Frances are pretty down home folks. Nothing wrong with that.
As a trial lawyer, I was very glad I had a speech and drama background in high school and college and summer at Northwestern’s School of Speech and Drama. It has helped a lot. We are on stage, so to speak.
Muffett, I should make you add that I did not pay you to write that comment.
Thanks. You can tell, I really wanted to be gentle with this, but exactly what you said: coaching can make such a difference and perceptions are so important. Who knows – maybe we’ll start to see some strengthening in this area. It certainly couldn’t hurt.
Jason – sorry – this is really weird. Your comment is the first one, but it only arrived in my inbox within the last hour? Bizarre. But that’s blogger.
No – not the accent. The old man shakiness. God – I can’t believe you made me say it! I hate myself now. Ugh. I sound mean – how could you do this to me?
Ok – drama queen dialed down.
Yeah, you know, I just remember, you know, it was just an impression thing, during the debate, that he just kind of sounded old in a way that made me hear him as hesitant, less certain, which I didn’t think was the case because I could see him and was there for the whole thing.
But man, Jason, when the news folks edit into sound bites, like I heard this morning, eek.
I’m just saying – I mean, what do I know, right?
Anyway – voice coaching, I would think, is a mandatory for the long haul of a race, unless of course the candidates, like Blackwell, really don’t expect to be talking to anyone.
Ted, on the other hand, I believe is going to be out and about a lot. Maintaining his voice is a pretty high priority no? And making him sound, as in how his voice is heard, would also be a high priorty, no?