Dean needs to loosen up in interviews....

[vi5]

Honestly, every time I see him in a one on one interview he is very stiff and stares either straight ahead into the camera or at the interview and doesn't move. It looks most of the time like he's got a bad back or stiff neck or something.

Is this a matter of style over substance? Sure it is. He's got the substance but if you don't think every candidate needs to work on style as well then you're mistaken.

It's horrible what this country has come to but I'm watching him being interviewed on CNN and can't stop thinking about how easily parodied he will be on something like Saturday Night Live. And if you don't think shit like that matters then talk to Al Gore. What got more play on the political/news shows after the debates? Bush's flubs or Gore's stiffness, sighing and know-it-allness? Like it or not our candidates are going to be held to a higher standard of style since the repubs and their media know that we win on substance.

And since I want Dean to be the nominee and the president I'm not going to put my head in the sand and act like this isn't something he is going to need to work on. Use some of that fire and animation he has when giving speeches to his crowds, in this setting and there will be no stopping him.

[Khephra]

1. It's a hard format to do

You should hear (or maybe you have heard) some of Mike Malloy's stories about how those interviews work. They're not natural settings to say the least. IIRC, you can't even see the person you're speaking to, and Mike mentioned that on MSNBC (I think) they had this screen filled with horses running in front of him during the interview.

Not apologizing really, because some candidates can do the format. It's just a harder one to master than the face-to-face interview. There's less cues to work with as a speaker.

[madfloridian]

14. The interview was outstanding.

There is nothing to apologize for. They are being ridiculous.

I also disapprove when Dean supporters bash others.

This board has refined the technique of bashing to the use of such terms as:

"Don't take this the wrong way,...but"

"I don't mean this as bash, but..."

And so on.

This was one of the best interviews he has done.

[FubarFly]

22. I didn't see the interview...

but I do know the problem which is being referred to.

There are a few techniques that Dean can work on to improve his interview skills. I do believe he is making a conscious effort to do so. He has shown dramatic improvement from where he was when he started. It may be a simple matter of repetition.

Regardless, I'm glad the interview rocked. I'm sorry I missed it.

[papau]

31. Not a bad interview - but Clark had excellent - better than Dean -

interviews this week

Clark seems seems as relaxed as Clinton, words flowing easily, when discussing Iraq.


Dean seemed a lttle stiff - waited to compose his thought - would pause and restate a statement - just not as smooth.

What he said was great - and no muffs - but if graded on smoothness, Clark is closer to the Sharpton standard.

If Clark gets it, he will pull Kerry down, clearing the way for Dean to battle Gep.- with Edwards if Edwards comes alive in the next 2 months.

[Clete]

19. His interview was outstanding but I haven't seen him

do any interview in the past that was the way you described this one. If this is a subtle way of bashing Dean, please be advised that criticizing Dean about how he looks on television only makes us compare him to Bush and Bush looks worse than even in comparison.

[Clete]

20. Sorry Kephra

I meant this post in answer to the original.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

2. Didn't See That At All

I think the CNN interview today was the best I've ever seen Dean. He seemed very relaxed, very in command of the facts and the discussion.

:shrug:

DTH

[vi5]

5. He has the issues and the command.....

Like I said it's purely a stylistic thing he needs to work on.

As the poster above said its definitely a tough format. Especially the remote interview.

[madfloridian]

15. You were pretty obvious.

He had a good interview. Just accept that fact. Your pointing out such things is unnecessary. It is SO obviously not affecting his ratings.

[poskonig]

3. Regardless how you evaluate Dean's performance

he *does* have a bad back, as you speculated.

"It looks most of the time like he's got a bad back or stiff neck or something."

[vi5]

6. Wow. I didn't know that. Honestly.....

It's interesting because it does come across. I'm not saying he's gotta get up and dance a tango though. Just some more movements during the course of the interview.

[Demobrat]

28. His bad back

is why the army docs exempted him from Vietnam.

[Cocoa]

4. someone had a good joke about that

might have been Jon Stewart on Bill Moyers, said something like Al Gore said to Dean, "dude, relax!" :-)

I think Dean's improving by the way, I think for one thing someone told him to speak slower.

[sfecap]

7. FWIW...

He's how an interview like that is done...

The subject of the interview (Dean) is in a room, or a studio, under lights with an earpiece. He has no monitor, so he cannot see himself, nor can he see Blitzer. He hears the question and looks into a fixed camera and replies. He can't see the video inserts, he can only hear the audio.

It is really a difficult way to do an interview, because there is no "feedback".

I thought the piece was great, BTW.

[DuctapeFatwa]

8. One day, a cure will be found for Fused-Neck Syndrome

In the meantime, we should concentrate on treating those living with this tragic condition just as we would anyone else.

When speaking with Gov. Dean or any FNS person, don't try to keep your own head still. Nod and tilt normally.

From a political standpoint, many analysts feel that voters were suspicious of Al Gore's cervical flexibility.

Dean supporters should be frank and open about this subject, don't be afraid to confront it - suggested soundbytes:

"Americans are frankly not ready for a President who moves his head."

"Our nation needs a leader, not a nodder"

"I am a man who is secure enough to greet the Japanese Prime Minister with a curtsey."

[snyttri]

10. The fused neck thing should be publicized. It would make it harder for

SNL to parody him.

[caledesi]

25. Good one! We need a leader, not a "nodder." VG!

[kentuck]

27. Every candidate has a deficiency in "style"....

We can out something to criticize on each and every one...Of course, it is always easier to criticize those we don't support. :)

[chimpymustgo]

32. LOL.

Very, very funny, Ductape.

Seriously, though, Dean has got to get some movement going. I saw that interview. Substance - great. But nothing moves except his lips. He will be SO parodied - heck - he IS a parody.

Man, he's got to work on that.

[JPace]

9. He did seem physically stiff

in posture and blinked excessively while staring
straight into the camera. I am a Kerry supporter
but am paying closer attention to Dean because
he does seem to be winning. I will vote for him
or anyone that wins the nomination but not without
a critical eye in sizing up their chances of
ousting bush. Dean was stiff looking on camera
and not knowing him that well I thought he was
uncomfortable and overly controlled.

[madfloridian]

11. Here we go again!

His appearance on CNN was outstanding. I knew when I came to the board, what I would see. I was not wrong.

He was excellent. This is so obvious what you guys are doing.

[liberalnurse]

16. No one can argue the facts.

He was a Storm-Trooper!

[liberalnurse]

17. Oh yea, were are doing it ......

and the kids are watching us too!

[DoctorMyEyes]

30. Yes, it was

It was an outstanding interview. But, the truth is, whether you see it or not, that Dean is very stiff in interviews.

I'm not a Dean Basher - In fact I'm a Dean supporter!
http://www.de4dean.com/

I've watched every speech and interview that he's done. Yes, he's getting better (in small increments) - but I, and a lot of others would like to see him look more relaxed. Granted, this type of interview is not the easiest to do. I think if he would simply lean forward it would relieve a lot of the "head on a stick" perception.

Yes, it is style over substance - and no doubt he has the substance - but this is TV!

A little head movement, some hand gestures, and leaning in now and then would help a great deal.

[JustJoe]

12. LOL ... crack me up ...

Bad back, stiff neck, whatever, Dean knows who he is
& he aint about to start bobbing around, or hollering
in interviews, or refurbishing his affect ... like Gore
did every other week. With Dean, what you see and what
you hear is what you get, and--what do you know!--plenty
people today seem to like what they see & hear jest fine.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. As another poster said:

"Touch 'em all, Howard."

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

18. Actually...

If you're a strict follower of Dean's blog like me, you'd be very impressed with today's interview. Yeah, he still looks a bit stiff, but man he's come a long way. When he did LKL, he got hammered by his supporters for looking so stiff and for keeping his mouth a little bit open while waiting to answer a question. He did much better today and in other interviews since LKL. He's still got a little ways to go, but he is listening to his supporters and taking our advice (which says a lot IMO).

He will get better at those types of interviews, but his message has never faltered. In 6 months I have no doubt he will be a master of those unnatural and uncomfortable situations of talking to a blank monitor with an earpiece just like he is at face to face interviews. I'd love to see him on the Daily Show...a chance for his personality to truly shine through would be a real boost for his support.

[JPace]

21. This is the first Dean thread...

I have participated in but found the topic
interesting since I had just watched Dean's
interview and was for the first time taking
him seriously. I want to thank you DiOgie for
explaining things to me instead of like so
many, making fun of my sincere comments. I
understand Dean a little better now without
feeling like my concerns are unimportant.
While Deans stiffness caused me concern I
also should have added that on the plus side
he was insightful, wise and very articulate
in his responses. It was good of you to
"educate" me rather than belittle me.....
again thank you.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

23. Cheers, my friend

:toast:

[caledesi]

24. Personally, I like his style...

Direct, to the point, and because of this, he is able to "get in" all that is wrong with * and how things need to change.

Example: Tom Delay doesn't own the American flag.

[JustJoe]

29. You got a problem, you go to a Doctor,

you want to connect with him as a human being
but you dont want no BS.

DEAN: Where's it hurt?
USA: Here.
DEAN: Sharp or dull?
USA: Both.
DEAN (checking it out): Cough.
USA: Gack!
DEAN: How long you had this pain?
USA: Two & a half years.
DEAN: Well, the bad news is.... you
need a new head. Good news is ... I got one handy.

[dsc]

26. He is getting better

but still in on the stiff side. He does have a bad back (that is why he didn't get drafted). I think as long as he improves this won't be too bad. He has come a long way since his first such interviews. If I were running his campaign I would think of having him do these interviews in a softer chair and one with a higher back. I think that would help him look less unnatural even if he continued to not move much.

[Cha]

33. Dean sure "moves" when he talks to the People!

Maybe he and Trippi could have a simulated studio with no monitor and talking to lights and practice, practice, practice! ;-)

I didn't see it so I don't know..just from what I've read others are saying such as yourself!