Posted on 10/19/2004 7:14:54 AM PDT by Dr. Free Market
I am increasingly aware of an oft misunderstood phenomenon in American life– the follow-up. We are very used to this from televised press conferences from the White House, but do not avail ourselves of this technique in our every day life.
I am increasingly aware of an oft misunderstood phenomenon in American life– the follow-up. We are very used to this from televised press conferences from the White House, but do not avail ourselves of this technique in our every day life.
The usual script goes something like this...
Reporter: Mr. President, the stock market is down today, any comment?
President: The stock market fluctuates daily. I look at trends; and it trending up. So I do not assign any particular importance to one day.
Reporter: Mr. President, a follow-up?
President: Sure.
Reporter: Are you saying that the stock market being down over 1000 points since the beginning of your presidency has nothing to do with your economic policies that, some would say, have obviously favored the rich.
And there it is. The set-up and the follow-up. The first seems like a reasonable question with an obvious answer, but it is just meant to set-up the real non-question to which the answer is irrelevant (i.e. the sound bite) or is designed to put the target on the defensive (the gotcha). Seeing the target made uncomfortable makes the audience think (or at least doubt) so that in their private moments they have to ponder the follow-up.
I maintain that this technique can be used to our advantage, but we often forget to ask to whomever we are speaking (and at times ourselves) the follow-up. Let’s look at how to turn this back to our advantage:
Scenario #1
Me: Do you believe terrorism is a threat?
You: Well sure! (If they say, “No,” don’t waste your time.)
Me: Well then, who do you think the terrorists would rather have as president?
Scenario #2
Me: I think you make too much money, why don’t you give me some?
You: It’s my money; I’ll do with it whatever I want. (If they say, “Sure,” keep asking until they stop; you’ve found a sucker who deserves to have their money taken.)
Me: Then why do you think some people should give more to the government? Isn’t it hypocritical?
Granted these may be simplistic scenarios. My point is: don’t forget to ask the follow-up question, and put them on the defensive.
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