Politics & Sales: Pre-Defining Your Competitor's Motives

Politics is sales - and not always at its finest. However, there are many lessons to be learned from what's going on. Rather than avoiding politics entirely - which is probably smarter - I've decided to share the sales strategies I see being used by the candidates and their surrogates.

As an independent, I laughed today when I read Karl Rove's comments on Obama's possible VP pick: "I think he's going to make an intensely political choice, not a governing choice."

Well, duh! That's what politicians have always done. Then Rove singles out Virginia governor Tim Kaine, as "able but undistinguished" and continues:

"So if he [Obama] were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, `You know what? I'm really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States? What I'm concerned about is, can he bring me the electoral votes of the state of Virginia..."

So what's going on here? What's Rove trying to do?

His whole goal is to imply that McCain's competitor is a self-serving politician who is only concerned with winning, not with finding a good leader for our country.

Please note: He's doing it BEFORE Obama makes the announcement, placing him in a one-down position regardless of whom he selects. Whatever his decision, the new VP will have been chosen for selfish reasons.

Okay, and here's the FINAL reason I laughed. I'm from the great state of Minnesota. Our governor, Tim Pawlenty, is being seriously considered as McCain's vice presidential choice.

His career has also been "able, but undistinguished." Is he capable of being the president? About as capable as any governor. McCain likes his youthful looks and commitment to the party. Plus, there's a chance he could bring in the electoral votes from the swing state of Minnesota.

That's enough. I'm repeating myself.

Comments

[Sean McPheat]

Very good comments and observations.

I once heard an awesome quote about politicians that has stuck with me:

"Politics is show business for ugly people"

I thought that was just quality and very apt!

Sean

[Jill Konrath]

Thanks for the good laugh, Sean! It's a perfect quote.