Word: answering
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Whether hot or cold, says Steve McMahon, a Democratic strategist who helped steer Howard Dean's meteoric 2004 campaign, Obama would be wise to keep a few scraps of advice in mind. First, he should keep his answers crisp. "I would tell him to go back to his appellate argument skills and answer the question like he's answering the judge, so he doesn't bury the lead," says McMahon. "In law school, there's an old adage: answer the question first, then explain it. When you're a gifted orator, as Obama is, sometimes you explain your answer while...
...good stand-in needs to know a lot more than what words an opponent is likely to use. Another Republican stand-in playing Gore in 2000, former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, noticed that in a previous debate Gore had left his stool and approached Bill Bradley during an answer - "seeming to try a little physical intimidation to rattle him," Portman says...
...Defense: He managed to ignore most of Obama's jibes, but was eventually baited into giving an extended answer about his policy differences with President Bush, after his opponent repeatedly mentioned McCain's regular support of Bush's budgets. Was visibly riled when clashing with Obama over a variety of issues, including Iraq, sanctions, and spending. He also chose to boast about Sarah Palin (although not by name) as his maverick partner, who, after her shaky week, may no longer be his ace in the hole...
...real depth of knowledge on nearly every issue. He was unhurried, and rarely lost his train of thought even when the debate wended and winded - and uttered far fewer of his trademark, distracting, "ums." At times, however, Obama revealed the level of his preparation by faltering over a rehearsed answer. He seemed to deliberately focus on the moderator and the home audience, with McCain as an afterthought - except when on the attack. Chose to avoid humor, for the most part, in favor of a stern demeanor, and in the process, came off as cool as a cucumber...
...Offense: Linking McCain to Bush in his very first answer, he kept it up as his primary line of attack. Forcefully hit McCain for his early support of the Iraq War. Though he never drew blood, he did keep McCain a bit off balance, often with clever references to McCain's recent statements...