Posted on 03/11/2006 9:54:37 AM PST by Congressman Billybob
The blogosphere is now an essential part of any candidate’s campaign for any office higher than Dog Catcher in Dover, Delaware. So, when I saw my name mentioned in BlogAsheville, I replied. A group of almost entirely “progressives,” as they label themselves, invited me to meet them in a face-to-face, unscripted encounter.
I had no delusions about the political beliefs of the group. As one of them wrote in advance of our get-together last Sunday, “we expect to beat you like a bass drum, come November.” That quote’s from memory and may not be precise. But it captures the spirit of this Daniel walking into that Lion’s Den.
First, my thanks to novelist, Anne-Fitten Glenn, for hosting the event at her home. There was a nice wine, a spinach dip, and no set speech. Instead, we started right in with pointed questions and detailed answers.
The main lesson I learned, or more accurately had confirmed, was this: The measure of a candidate is never tested when he or she speaks among friends. Instead, it is tested when he or she speaks among political opponents. National political candidates tend to speak at “managed” events, with the backgrounds, faces, and environment all planned in advance for maximum effect on televison. Some of them go so far as to vet every questioner and question, so the candidate does not suffer any embarrassment.
My event was way below the radar of any press. And I guarantee that none of it was vetted or controlled.
I compliment the group, based on my experience as an appellate lawyer. Lawyers in such cases prepare their statements in advance, and practice them before a mirror for best effect. And yet, all that preparation goes right out the window, when counsel begin their argument. The only part our statement we get to speak is, “May it please the Court....” Sometime around the end of the first sentence after that, one of the judges, or Justices, will ask a question like, “How can your client square the argument in your brief with the holding in the Glotz case?”
Immediately, we must drop what he is saying and address that question. We must know all the details of the Glotz case from memory. And the answer must come without hesitation and in detail, drawing a possibly valid distinction. The slightest hesitation, the slightest unfamiliarity with the case in question, and the judges sit back in their chairs, visibly unimpressed. It’s like facing a firing squad with rubber bullets. As soon as we survive the first one, another will be fired, and we must survive them all.
My compliment to the Asheville group is this: I’ve never faced a panel of judges who were any more eager to ask pointed questions, and to try to throw me off balance, on a wider variety of points, than I did that afternoon in Anne-Fitten’s living room.
With all that said, you might imagine that it was a terrifying experience. Not so. Quite the contrary. It was like facing a classroom full of students, which I’ve done many times. However, it was better than that. These were adults with their various degrees, out in the real world with professions. It was more like the challenging discussions in the classrooms of the two post-graduate programs I’ve been in.
Did I change any minds? I don’t think so. Did I open any doors, just a crack? Of that I am certain. Was that meeting worth attending? Beyond a shadow of a doubt.
You’ve no doubt noticed I haven’t said a word about the questions asked, or the answers given. This column is not about those specifics. Instead, it is about the importance of any candidate for any major office being willing to face an audience of able opponents, and reply to whatever they ask, no holds barred.
One of the delights on C-Span are the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the British Parliament. Those sessions are challenging, fast-paced, intelligent, literate, and often humorous. It would be good for the voters, good for the candidates, and good for the nation if many more American politicians had to walk into such lion’s dens, and live to talk about it.
Since most of you are reading this on-line, you know your way around the Internet. Here’s where you will find the descriptions of that meeting, in the plain, unvarnished, unedited words of my articulate opponents:
http://www.blogasheville.blogspot.com/ Scroll down page to “Interview with John Armor”
http://www.brainshrub.com/john-armor-interview#comment-1024
About the Author: John Armor is candidate for Congress in the 11th District of North Carolina. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu
I think you'll find this interesting.
John / Billybob
In truth, I believe you may have won much respect among your so called opponents just by appearing.
Good on you.
BTW, I live across the mountain from Asheville, and am familiar with Highlands. Lovely territory. Good luck.
I second what Wingman says. Good luck!
John, that was awsome. I do think you made a dent in their perceptions, and your forcast about the DWP deal was prophetic. You be smart. Love you and I'm telling my bro to vote for you.
Bravo!
As a relative neophyte is the "art" of political debate. I have followed with interest any stories that revolve around face to face meetings. I do so because I have discovered that in my area (Western Washington State), we have no lack of extreme liberals, but very few that will actually engage you in debate (they are however, eager to call you "bigot" or key your car ;'}
I applaud your efforts to "bring it" to our adversaries. Keep up the good work!
Good on ya! Good luck in the election.
BTTT
I live in Asheville. Good work. It's great that someone can keep his cool facing political opponents. I can't.
Wow you are actually running this year.
Good luck!
This is so true, and it applies across a wider spectrum of life than just politics. The person who nods in agreement on hearing the first sentence of a declared sentiment may be a friend but the one who really helps you is the person whose quizzical look and penetrating question challenges you to make a genuine intellectual effort to validate your thoughts.
There is great hope for a nation which so willingly debates questions of an intensely moral nature as we do today. The public discussion of abortion, assisted suicide, and war all demonstrate a national vigor which, coupled with strong spiritual underpinnings, promise an encouraging future for America.
I like your website, good luck.
Praying that God will give us men of integrity in positions of authority. May you fit the size.
Couldn't agree more with you.
Good luck your coming candidacy. NC really needs you to represent us.
I hope you made more of an impact than that.
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