Obama Answers a Tough Question

Yesterday's post "A Lesson from Blagojevich" centered on one of the basic ground rules of handling tough questions: you must answer the question. The now-removed Governor of Illinois was asked the same question four times by Larry King, and each time Blagojevich danced away from an answer to positive point: a classic example of political spin.

Last night, Barack Obama was interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN about the Tom Daschle affair. The newsman queried the president, "You messed up?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Obama replied, "Yes, I think I made a mistake," and then immediately added, "I take responsibility for the appointees."

No digression whatsoever.

Then, having answered the question, he had earned the right to make a positive point. He said, "Ultimately, I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics. And I don't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards; one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes."

In fact, he made two positive points: one about himself and one for the American people.

Learn this lesson: if you want to make a positive point, you must first answer the question. Don't spin, Topspin instead.