Menu

Make a New Account

Username:

Password:



Forget your username or password?


Search




Advanced Search


Alegre's Corner
We're not finished folks - not by a long shot!

Bill Clinton and the Soft Sell

by: anna shane

Tue Sep 23, 2008 at 21:22:20 PM EDT


In his recent appearance on The View, Bill Clinton made a masterful yet subtle pitch for Barack Obama.   Unlike the bludgeoning technique mainly employed by Barack's supporters, Bill used the 'soft sell.' In sales, the soft sell is where you don't claim your product is necessary, or that all competing products are unusually defective.   You're respectful to all choices, but you have just a few little points in favor of your product you'd like them to 'consider.'  
anna shane :: Bill Clinton and the Soft Sell
Bill listed attributes of all the candidates Barack and John, Joe and Sarah. He acknowledged why John and Sarah are attractive, and made the case for Barack and Joe, not on any idea of uniqueness, but on Democratic ideas.  

Bill really is a super communicator. He answered those 'difficult' questions simply and clearly.  He repeated what Hillary has, that she wasn't particularly interested in the VP job, but she'd have taken it if Barack asked her, because that would be her duty.  He connected her Senate job to his presidential win, in that she wants to write legislation and get it passed.  Bill made a plug not just for Barack, but for all the down-ticket Democrats, in saying if you want Hillary's solutions, you're going to have to help her out by electing Democrats.  

Bill didn't try to 'shame' anyone for having possible race considerations, that work both for and against Barack, as gender worked both for and against Hillary.  He mentioned that a percentage of voters admit they took race or sex into consideration and Bill thinks that's a good thing, because it's 'said,' it's not 'subterranean,' 'hidden,' but spoken and statistically factual, and can thus be discussed in 'daylight.'

Chris Rock, in his appearance on the Letterman Show, arguably did much to negate Barack's benefit from Bill's soft pitch. He 'interpreted' Bill as someone who really wants Barack to lose.

Now Bill is a popular guy and if there are some out there who want to vote the way Bill tells them, and if they listen to Chris and 'believe' he knows, that could lose Barack some votes. I mean, thanks a lot Chris, big help.  

Thus, Bill's subtle pitch clearly went over Chris Rock's head. Chris apparently thinks Barack needs even more hyperbole.  In his misunderstanding, Chris forgot that the voters Bill's trying to win aren't those who are enamored with Barack, but those not likely to get enamored (at least not until he's been elected and actually does something fantastic), and so who've been leaning toward John or toward staying home or voting third party.  The same old pitch isn't going to work with these voters, and Bill acknowledged their right to be cautious.  

Chris also kept alive the 'sore winner' pox that has infected Barack's most obnoxious supporters.  It's not enough that Barack won the primary for these 'haters,' they're not about to let go of their anger, at Hillary and Bill, at Al, for, whatever.  Chris made it seem like Barack's already lost and it's all Bill's fault.  

Not smart, Chris, some of us would rather he win than whine.  

I guess when someone has a fixed idea, everything they hear just corroborates their belief, whether or not it really does, so it's impossible for some to use their ears for hearing.  Bill made his soft pitch to get around the possible 'fixed ideas' of some Democrats who aren't planning to vote for Barack.  If only he could make a similar pitch to guys like Chris, so they won't be chasing votes away faster than Bill can bring them in.  

Tags: (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
President Clinton is a Class Act (0.00 / 0)
He knows what he's talking about when it comes to the economy and elections (though I disagree when he says BHO will win, but what do I know?).  His passion for getting results through his CGI work is compelling - you can see his eyes light up when he's asked about this week's conference.

I loved how he talked about the VP pick.  Between his appearance on the View yesterdan, and Hillary's interview on CBS this morning, I really do think Hillary's at peace with how things have turned out.  She's moved on and is working night and day for the people of New York in sorting out this econ. crisis, and I have no doubt that she'll put everything she's got in her to help reform our screwed up health care system.

A lot can happen in the next 4 years, and I hope she's already layin the groundwork for another run at that highest and toughest of glass ceilings.

Invest in Women - Change the World
http://twitter.com/alegrescorner


As for Chris Rock... (0.00 / 0)
I used to really like the guy but he's lost all cred. in this year's election.  I hate to say it, but he's going to have to find another line of work come Nov. 4th.  Without Hillary and Bill to attack and malign, he won't have any decent material for his act.

Invest in Women - Change the World
http://twitter.com/alegrescorner


He actually tied McCain to Bush (0.00 / 0)
In a pretty effective way, without actually spelling it out, he said McCain was using instinct when he picked Palin.

Whe else implements policy and decides based on instinct?

And yes, Chris Rock appears more excited about bashing Clinton than winning a general election.

That's the group of Obama supporters who are still hurting Obama.


yes, Bill's disarmingly subtle (0.00 / 0)
It's a strange sociological phenomena, when the winners stay bitter.  Barack's always had a core of goofy 'followers' who don't see him as just a guy.   they seem to have no clue that not everyone is looking to believe in some man's 'greatness.'  I guess it's more for kids, but they are the strangest and angriest bunch of Clinton haters one could imagine. I wonder if the psychological reason is they recognize at some level that she'd best prepared for the job, so in their buyer's guilt they have to erase her?  anyway, it's weird, and how unfortunate we have such a scene when the stakes really are high and John McCain is instinctively wacky.   Chris used to love Bill, he was one of the guys who called him our first black president.  He's sure doing Barack no favors.  

Hillary - alternative energy

[ Parent ]
"Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you?re knocked down, get right back up. And NEVER listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on."
Hillary Clinton - June 7, 2008

Hillary Clinton
- Put stuff here

Blog Roll
- Put stuff here

Powered by: SoapBlox