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Authenticity, Charisma Count for US Presidential Candidates
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: ELECTION 2024 CANDIDATES CHARISMA
HEADLINE: Authenticity, Charisma Count for US Presidential Candidates
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 08/09/2023 at 1:19p
BYLINE: Steve Herman
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: White House
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Scott Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Amy R., Aru Pande
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AFP, AP, C-SPAN, Reuters, VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X__RADIO X_
TRT: 2:47
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: HFR next week; Web version to be written Tuesday))
((INTRO)) In the early days of the United States, a candidate’s charisma did not matter as much in a presidential election. But in the era of electronic and social media, a candidate’s ability to individually connect with voters could determine whether he or she sits in the Oval Office. The story, from VOA’s chief national correspondent Steve Herman at the White House.
((Biden Nats)) (nats a little too low)
((NARRATION))
The respective approaches of Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, to retail politicking helped each win the U.S. presidency and could give one of them the top job a second time in next year's election.
After speeches, Biden sometimes works the crowd, posing for selfies, even taking a few licks and giving hugs.
Then there’s Trump’s signature "thumbs up" gesture, the fist pumps and the dance moves. Despite facing dozens of felony charges for crimes allegedly committed before, during and after his term in office, Trump boasts about his deep connection with his supporters.
(NAT Sound)
((please add date January 2016))
“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”
((NARRATION))
For those who study leadership, charisma is more than just being telegenic. Successful politicians excel at messaging, says Ulrich Jensen of Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs.
(Ulrich Jensen, Arizona State University) ((Mandatory Zoom))
“You feel like you’re one of them and they are one of you, right? And so, kind of creating that collective identity, propelling values — all of those things can be done by framing the message, providing the substance, and articulating in a way that's engaging and present.”
((Courtesy: Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum))
((NARRATION))
By shaking hands, gesturing, and repeating signature lines, presidential candidates amplify their message to the wider world,
((end courtesy))
says Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington.
((Stephen Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington))
“The vast majority of people who are looking at these presidential candidates will never meet any of them. They will simply decide based on what they see on the media, whether this candidate or that candidate appeals to them more.”
((NARRATION))
Trump and Biden provide lessons in communications for those seeking to challenge them, according to Farnsworth.
((Stephen Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington))
“You have to be genuine. I think that what you see with both of these men is exactly who they are.”
((NARRATION)) Awkward politicians cannot learn to be authentic, ((Mandatory CG: CNN)) but they can be coached on what to emphasize, ((end courtesy)) Trump’s first White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, tells VOA.
((Sean Spicer, Former White House Press Secretary)) ((Mandatory Zoom))
“One of the things that sometimes politicians do is if they get nervous about certain qualities and so they're afraid of leaning into them. And I think what Trump did was, he just went with his gut a lot more about what he thought and what he believed.”
((NARRATION))
Biden bets on his audiences believing his promises of staying faithful to his beliefs.
(NAT SOUND)
“I never, ever tell you anything I don’t mean. I never tell you anything I don’t believe.
((Steve Herman, VOA News (standup version))
“The unblinking gaze of the video camera lens can expose presidential candidates who are not genuine. Voters see this and decide not to support them — no matter how much money campaigns spend trying to convince them otherwise.”
Steve Herman, VOA News, at the White House
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
