What Pelosi Doesn't Get About Persuasion

It isn't as if women don't have enough stereotypes to deal with but along comes Nancy Pelosi to tell those who supported Hillary Clinton's nomination that they shouldn't act like poor sports, taking their marbles and going home, if Hillary Clinton isn't chosen by Barack Obama to be his running mate. They should be happy with whoever he picks, according to Pelosi, because more important is party unity and beating John McCain.

While I'm right on board with the need to beat John McCain, party unity is a matter of persuasion, not accusations of insubordination. Berating women who are still supporting for vice president a candidate who won half the Democratic presidential nominee votes and, as Barack Obama says, took us all another step further in breaking through the political glass ceiling, is not the way to persuade them or anyone to vote for Obama. It's counterproductive.

Pelosi should be saying, "Of course supporters of Clinton still hope she'll be chosen. And why wouldn't they given the race she ran?" Complimenting those who still harbor this hope and are doing what they can to make it a reality is a more astute step toward Democratic Party unity than spiteful detractions in the form of stereotypes -- girls who can't take the rough and tumble of the big leagues and let their feelings get in the way.

In fact, it's not only reasonable to have a favorite for vice presidential candidate, I want to know who is on Barack Obama's short list for secretary of state, secretary of defense, secretary of health and human services, secretary of education, attorney general and so on. This should be part of Obama's plan to end the secrecy that has characterized George W. Bush's administration. I want to know what and how these potential presidential advisers think, what they've done well, and not so well. Don't you? And I have some favorites there too. What's wrong with that?

I'd like to hear a little more from Nancy Pelosi about what the Democrats are going to do for consumers who were made homeless by bad loans. How about some informed commentary on immigration, education, poverty, and avoiding having the war in Afghanistan escalate so much that leaving Iraq becomes an even trade in terms of money spent and lives lost?

If you want to persuade people, you don't belittle them or their concerns. You don't lecture them about what they should rather than do think. That's part of Persuasion 101. If you want to persuade, you don't tell people that how they feel is ridiculous. Invalidation is not an effective persuasion strategy. Linking what they care about to a preferred course of action is more productive. And most of all, you don't tell everyone else what they're doing wrong when your record is less than stellar.

Comments

[live by the golden rule]

I am a strong Clinton supporter.

I think she would make an extraordinary President.

Having said that, I am not lobbying for her to be Vice President, although of course she would accept if asked.

Perhaps because she is my Senator [I'm from New York], I want Senator Clinton to continue to have a strong, independent voice in the Senate. I do hope that her impressive showing in the primaries, winning the majority of votes cast in the last half of the primary season and close to an equal number of delegates with Senator Obama, will give her a forum to speak out and be heard [too bad she was ignored when she warned over a year ago about the coming foreclosure crisis].

I have no doubt that Senator Obama will be a good President [although, as the press commentary to the overseas trip shows, much like the Clintons did--younger people might want to glance at the newspapers from November 1992 through January 2003-- Obama will face "failed Obama Presidency" commentary even before he is sworn in].

I will support him over the uninformed and bomb bomb Iran dangerous Senator McCain. Perhaps it would be helpful if some of Senator Obama's supporters would stop belittling the generation of women who made it commonplace for their younger sisters and daughters to apply to medical and law schools [of course, we can do nothing about Republican trouble-makers writing comments and pretending to be Obama supporters].

[Janelynne]

To endure Pelosi's myopia is painful. She doesn't have the vision, she doesn't have the courage, leadership skills or or gravitas for the job. Taking impeachment off the table was not her choice to make. Deciding what comes up for a vote in the Congress is her job, and she apparentl;y doesn't have a good filter. Telling HIllary supporters suck it up is not unifying. Pelosi, as well as Reid, have to go. We need leaders with skill, not people with seniority.

[quest44]

While I don't have any love for impeachments off the table Pelosi I also hold no love for Hillary supporters who just can't accept Obama won and move on !
I am tired of this attitude that Obama and his supporters should appologise for him winning the nomination .
It was Hillary's jresponsability to reign in her supporters after she induced such a frenzy amoung you and her responsability to rally her supporters around the democratic nominee for president Obama ,,but all I keep hear from her supporters is how its Obama's responsiblity to suck up to them and nominate Hillary as his VP to mend your wounds ! What poor losers you people are showing yourselves to be and really you give the rest of us woman a bad name with all this whining and poor sportsmanship ! Get over it ! This time Pelosi is actually right !

[Yman]

"Hillary's responsibility to reign in her supporters"? Think again. O's the nominee. It's his job to garner their support. He'll get many of them (including me) just be being the Dem candidate, but it's his responsibility.

"Poor losers"? The only thing worse than a "poor loser" is a "poor winner". Till the HC bashers figure that out, it's only going to make O's job of persuading the holdouts that much harder.

[iLogos]

Then again, part of being a leader is telling people the hard truths. Part of being an adult is recognizing that you don't get your way and sometimes it isn't about you and what you want, but what the big picture is, the ability to put aside your desires for the greater good.

Speaker Pelosi is speaking an uncomfortable truth... the women (and men) holding out for a Sen. Clinton VP pick need to get beyond that and work towards getting behind the party leader, regardless of Sen. Obama's choice.

One of the things that Reardon neglects to consider in this piece is that by focusing on a potential VP pick of Sen. Clinton, her supporters are setting themselves up for another disappointment, one which will take more time to get over, further threatens party unity, and will rip the half-formed scab off the wound of Sen. Clinton's defeat at the hands of the voters.

As to Sen. Obama floating out who he is considering for each office, that is an act that has NEVER been done prior to the convention, and is unlikely to ever be done. Hey John/Jane Doe, I'm considering you for this job, I'm letting everyone know I'm considering you for this job, I'm going to open you up to intense public scrutiny... and then I'm going to pass you over for Ted/Thea, but thanks for being a great sport about it.

[Yman]

"Part of being an adult" is learning how to persuade other adults to do what you want them to do (i.e. vote for O), rather than insult them by implying their acting like children.

Or you could keep trying your way (and Nancy's way) and see how that works out for you.

[luckyt]

Lets drop the rhetorical nonsense, Nancy Pelosi has not lived up to her potential to be a great speaker or make any significant change in the house. Like most Democrats once in power they play nice to the right no matter what they have done to them or our country in the past. Of cause the right would like to be part of a bi-partisan partnership when the Democrats are in power and centrist like Pelosi are more then willing to oblige them. What we need are more people like Clark, Edwards and Kisinage that are willing to fight for us.

[iLogos]

I'm so tired of this worn out meme. We don't need someone to "fight" for us. There is no dueling on the steps of the capital building at dawn. There is no fisticuffs in Georgetown between those on opposite sides of the aisle. What we need are strong advocates for us who are willing to speak plainly, to their colleagues and to the American people.

You can show passion, conviction and dedication, all while finding a peaceful solution to a problem, one which takes into account everyone's point of view and seeks to build consensus, but at the same time gets the job done.

[dwt]

Let's be blunt. Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have absolutely zero need of constituents who must be "persuaded" to support their party's candidate, to follow the party's platform, and to vote in favor of their own interests. Such persons compromise an irrational, idiotic, and annoying lunatic fringe. What they are really seeking is appeasement, but they lack the stature to deserve it.

The shoe is on the other foot. The Party has no duty to stoop to persuading or appeasing this crowd of petulant spoiled children. Rather, if they will get over their hissy fit, maybe the party will forgive them for having one and will welcome them back on the train. But the train is leaving the station and will go forward whether they choose to get on or not. The Party's will lose nothing and the fringe will be left behind to whine and complain in a vacuum.

[cadbury]

Reardon is talking about sound principles of effective persuasion here. But let's try another tack as well. What if the situation were reversed? What if Obama had gotten half of all votes cast, but had fallen just short of the nomination. Would people be angry and upset that HIS supporters were adamant about him being offered the second spot on the ticket? Would they be disparaging his black supporters the way HRC's female supporters have been disparaged? The smart money says that his choice would be a forgone conclusion--even with the Obamas' own considerable baggage.

[pleeezzze]

Yep.... and thats very much TRUTH !

[cadbury]

This article is spot on. Posters here keep conveniently forgetting that HRC GOT HALF OF ALL VOTES CAST IN THE PRIMARIES. She voted NAY on FISA/telecom immunity (an issue dear to HuffPo posters) and just made a powerful, action-spurring statement regarding the administration's bid to have forms of contraception labeled as "abortion". Given NARAL's abandonment of her candidacy after years of supporting their issues, I think that's classy. It's no wonder that many supporters feel passionately about her being offered VP. It seems especially reasonable given some of the alternatives. People are still yammering about Edwards, even though he brings absolutely nothing to the ticket and has scandals of his own to deal with. Others push Nunn, a hawk the gay community abhors for his role in "Don't ask, don't tell". Still others think a conservative Republican (Hagel) or a misogynous former repub (Webb) would be just nifty. Each of these obviously idiotic suggestions makes her supporters' blood boil. Most people (women & men) lobbying for HRC on the ticket will vote for Obama. But there are many in the middle, for a variety of reasons, who won't. Also, this isn't just about voting...It's about contributing $, working at the polls, getting out the vote, electing Dems down the ballot, etc. I truly believe that naming HRC would instantly unite the party and bring in people Obama has yet to win over. Overnight his razor-thin lead over McCain would be in double digits.

[frugorfoto]

This reminds me of something else: The sexism toward Hillary on the part of the media during the primary was something the Democratic leadership should have been outraged about. As should Sen. Obama. But neither the DNC nor Obama did anything to speak out about this. Instead they acknowledged its existence only after the Primary was over. Now Sens. Obama, Pelosi et.al wonder why HIllary supporters feel disaffected. Had Sen Obama reached out to us about this matter during the primary he would be having a far better time of it . In fact he might have won our respect and indeed, even our support. It would be the sign of a true leader if Speaker Pelosi acknowleged and respected the wishes of those in the Hillary camp who wish her to be Obama's running mate. But Pelosi, Dean and the rest of the rest of the DNC are trying their hardest to to completely squash any sign of Hillary at the convention, not to mention her right to an honest roll call vote ( not merely a symbolic one) If this is democracy then I want no part of it.

[debwarot]

The author, Ms. Reardon, has a valid point - it is always easier to build consensus if you treat people with respect and ask, not threaten or demand. I know exactly how she feels - this is how the Hillary supporters have treated the Democratic party and Obama's supporters since the day she lost the nomination - they have demanded our respect and financial support but given nothing in return. They have threatened to stay home or vote McCain if their demands weren't met. If you threaten, scream and demand, long enough the inevitable happens - your threats lose their power and become easier to ignore.

[Freesia2]

You are my new favorite poster. :-) You said it all. I checked back to see if my post went through and now I wish I hadn't even bothered to write a thing. You said it so well. Great post.

[debwarot]

Thanks - you are very kind (and far too modes about your own powerful words).

[Janskats]

Ditto..I am sick and tired of this petulant cr@p! Sensible, sane supporters of Hillary..as with the sensible, sane supporters of Biden, Edwards et al know what is important. The others comprise a small selection of spoiled, self-serving heiresses..who largely have an agenda that probably does jive more with the GOP than the Dems..with a soupcon of those who hate all men, especially the boyfriend who dumped them before this campaign..and a smattering of the willingly led, mentally lazy..who just hear the word "woman" and think it's holy or something! GET OVER IT! None of you have anything whatsoever to do with women's or workers' rights..wouldn't know a sexist act if it bit you in the butte..and probably haven't even the historical perspective to know what is meant by "feminism"! The grownups haven't got time to pat you on the fanny and say, "now, now, dearie.." so...go! Go to Johnnie, who, at every opportunity, has treated women like sludge. Go to the GOP which, at every opportunity, has voted against any measure that would bring progress or relief to women. Just plain GO!!!!!

[kevinw]

Perhaps if the House had deterred the Bush white house at any step in their long march to destroy this country, she would have legitimacy on speaking about what is good for the party. She bragged about the FISA compromise, spelled capitulation. Don't want a little thing like the 4th amendment to the constitution getting us democrats labeled as weak on terror. So we capitulated, showing we are weak in general. Lets see did the repubs stop saying we are weak on terror. Oh well it was just the 4th, there are many more amendments. How about you lead the house in getting us some legislation that shows any kind of difference between the democrats and the repubs, then you can give me advice about how to behave in the party. Thanks Nancy for all that you are just waiting to do after the election (right)

[Skylarstar]

Well stated. As a supporter of Sen. Clinton, I have been aghast at how patronizing Obama supporters, the media and the Democratic party have been both to Clinton and her supporters. The sexism is all too apparent.

[OriginalScreenName]

I've been amazed by how patronizing and irrational Clinton supporters have been.

The ironic thing is that the "lunatic segment" of her supporters are doing more to reenforce the stereotypes than any of the media's sexism can.

All this "handle these woman with care," and "give Hillary her time" stuff also re-enforces the stereotypes. Are women like Hillary adults capable of dealing with losing or not? Is Hillary and her supporters incapable or losing with grace? I'd put money that if Obama would've lost, he'd been infinately more graceful than Hillary and her supporters. Why is it everyone else that needs to speak up about sexism and not Hillary? Obama spoke up about racism?

And until there are more women living in poverty and in jail and on drugs than blacks, please stop saying sexism is worse. Although it may be more acceptable, it's obviously nowhere near as damaging right now as racism is.

[Freesia2]

This can't be based soley on sexism. I can tell you that. I'm a woman.

I've found this thread very disturbing, because I now realize there will always be a "Reardon" saying that Obama supporters should compliment. Should persuade. And I think that for a job they want Hillary to have - one heartbeat from the presidency - it's her own supporters who need to do some persuading.

I saw a campaign, during this economy; world chaos, that began with a 10-stride lead in money and super-delegates, that proceeded to derail before our very eyes. No plan beyond February 5, staff hired for loyalty not competence, caucus states with delegates for taking, ignored. Rounds of applause for keeping on keeping on. Kept on by not paying her bills.

If her supporters had wanted to persuade me she was the best for the job, it would have helped if you'd done more than just told me she's the BEST. It would have helped if I'd seen a person applying for the job of Chief Executive who had not just run her campaign into the ground. I can't see that person running our government. I wasn't drinking the kool-aid when Obama clearly demonstrated he knows how to hire, manage, set goals, and achieve them. Neither you, nor she, persuaded me otherwise.

I know that you will never understand that another woman looks right through your argument and believes you're wrong. And I can't dissuade you. But you didn't "persuade" me either.

[Janskats]

My dear..you are not alone! Sixty-two year old married white woman here..Berkeley graduate who lived through and fully participated in decades of fighting for "the cause". I am disgusted to the point of impatience with these females..brats, in my estimation, who so blindly support Hillary..only because she's a woman. Hey..why not draft Sen. Barbara Boxer? She's been steadfast and in-your-face, more than most women in Congress. Hillary and Bill fell off my list when I learned how they've made millions from the Indian outsourcing industry. She's no friend of the worker, in my mind. I can take those who differ with me on some positions, but I'm truly sick of liars.

[debwarot]

Thanks - Well said!

I am 57 years young, an aging hippie and an ardent feminist and I am thoroughly tired of and discouraged by all the talk of sexism and and gender bias as rationale for Hillary losing the primary. Hillary did not lose because of sexism - Hillary lost because of HILLARY. She ran a campaign based on her sense of entitlement which was advised by incompetents and made no provisions for caucuses or continuing the race after Super Tuesday. Her campaign used negative ads and tried changing the rules when they began losing. She kept spending money when she had none, encouraging her supporters to continue giving when she had no chance of winning.

Real women - strong women - wise women - will vote for the best available candidate. I apologize in advance for the next sentence - it is very trite but also quite appropriate. STOP THE DRAMA, VOTE OBAMA!

[ohmercy]

Cass Sunstein is a very smart, well educated, experienced with Washington man who spent about 10 years as a colleague of Barack Obama at the University Of Chicago. He is now an adviser to Obama.
The following comes from an interview of CassSunstein at the NationMagazine.

Q. "What dynamics are at work with Hillary Clinton, the way she's treated...?"

A. "I think she has been turned into a cartoon by people who dislike her, and the cartoon really does involve an information cascade. There are things said about her character, her conduct, her plans, which have no basis. Once they start circulating they start being widely believed. Even if the particular fact isn't believed, there's a kind of odor that its dissemination produces.

There are legitimate questions that can be raised about anybody. The polarization with respect to her has something to do with her, but has a lot more to do with how information travels. An empirical answer would involve work that I haven't done. But, offhand, talk radio, Fox News and some parts of the blogosphere are responsible for the cartoonization of Hillary Clinton.

It's always easier to spread a simple story than a complicated story. With politics and with products, if there's a simple narrative that can take hold, it's very powerful. *******The people who hate Hillary Clinton have a narrative of her that is hateful, and the simplicity of it allows it to travel.********

I

[Tulka2]

If a person never watched Fox, they got none of that. Chris Mathews, of course is a school boy about all women, but he was just as adamant that no one in his old neighborhood would ever vote for an African American. Keith Olbermann is effective and he liked Obama better than Clinton, but if you ever saw him talk to Huffinton or Maddow, you cannot claim he has a problem with powerful women. You never actually thought anyone who watches Fox would ever vote for a Democrat, did you?

Deluded worldling.

The reason Hillary Clinton lost is because she was not the right woman for the job of being the first woman president of the United States. She wasn't or she would be. The right woman will sail right in like Obama is sailing in because she will be the ONE the people have chosen. Get up. Let's go. We have work to do.

[pleeezzze]

....are you sailing or soaring ?
Nothing like being in Love ,is there ?

[billw8017]

If Barack Obama is assasinated, Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic alternative. Supposing civil order and the rule of law, Obama will be the Democratic nominee. I remember the assasinations and assasination attempts of the 1960s, and they were altogether pathetic, insane mostly, and deep wounds upon America's better conduct.

Whether you like him or -- for whatever reason I can't imagine -- prayer that nothing like that happens would be a good use of prayer.

[gabbyone]

You can argue Pelosi is right or wrong but the important thing is what her comments will cause......more disunity. Pelosi and Obama supporters have two choices....you can.be right or win.
You all need to stop digging. Every time another article comes out like this, the anti- Obama forces
get more people to join them. It's a free country, you can say what you want, but if Obama loses,,,
you will be part of the reason. I have never known any kind of big cat that doesn't get angry when
every day you poke it with a stick. PUMA has grown from 7 groups to over 250 in about a month.

[Tulka2]

I begin to think you will never vote for Barak Obama. Examine your heart.

[Janskats]

So..if you're so unhappy..just GO! Gawd! I am so sick of this pouty, petulance! GO!!!!!!!!