Mitt Romney: Fawning PR Man?
The London-based Economist pulls no political punches in its lead editorial this week with a question on many a mind: So Mitt, what do you really believe? Under the section labeled “Details, details,” the magazine lays out the political plague of Romney’s entire presidential run.
Would that Candidate Romney had indeed presented himself as a solid chief executive who got things done. Instead he has appeared as a fawning PR man, apparently willing to do or say just about anything to get elected.
If Mitt Romney cannot effectively answer this question tonight, then consider him the loser in a two-man race for the American presidency. His running mate, Paul Ryan, though appearing High-Def-wise a wee bit too young for commander in chief status, nevertheless did an excellent job in setting the table for Romney’s nomination acceptance speech on Thursday, August 30th. Ryan and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, were quite riveting speakers; Dr. Rice, in particular was able to end her speech on a very emotional high:
A little girl grows up in Jim Crow Birmingham, the most segregated big city in America, her parents can’t take her to a movie theater or a restaurant, but they make her believe that even though she can’t have a hamburger at the Woolworth’s lunch counter, she can be president of the United States and she becomes the secretary of state.
Beyond the Baseline
This tennis column, “Beyond the Baseline,” gives an example of opinion-driven sports commentary. The focus here is not on statistics at all but rather the personalities, trials, and triumphs of the players. In this case, the writer is Courtney Nguyen and the column is described simply: “Courtney Nguyen brings you Beyond The Baseline — SI.com’s blog covering all things tennis. Tips, comments, concerns? Email Courtney or find her on Twitter.” In today’s opinion environment, you must utilize social media to have a conversation with your readers, or in this case, an opportunity to gather quotes and tips for new stories.
Neil Armstrong led with values, not just one step
David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle published an opinion piece titled “Values, not one step, made Neil Armstrong hero.” This is a wonderful piece that compares and contrasts the definition of “true American hero.” Your writing should reflect your values. Be honest. Write directly to your reader. What drew me in to bother reading Wiegand’s essay was the compelling title. The cliche is “one step,” but what makes this different is the values lead. It made me think, “Ah hah, I may learn something new about this very private man.” I come away not only learning more about Neil Armstrong but also about David Wiegand:
Years later, I remembered that moment, and not just because of its incalculable historic importance to the whole world. In those few minutes, standing apart from the rest of my dorm mates and watching what was happening on TV, my youthful narcissism was nudged a bit on its axis. I didn’t know it then, but I’d begun to edge toward an adult’s understanding that the world was bigger than my insistent self-focus.
In all your work, share a personal account, as this one does, about where the writer Wiegand was at the time of Armstrong’s man on the moon moment in history.