Yesterday, I posted a video of a confrontation between Rep. Paul Ryan and some activists at a Labor Day parade. (I’ve embedded the video again at the bottom of this post.) Today, I’ll offer tips for how Ryan, or any politician, can avoid embarrassing encounters with protesters at parades, grocery stores, etc.
For those who take umbrage that anyone would dare offer suggestions to Ryan: although he’s now chair of the House Budget Committee, he wouldn’t need tips from bloggers if he handled these situations more effectively.
(Some on the left think that they can beat Ryan next year; I don’t see how. I do see, though, that he looks awkward, uncomfortable, and bothered around opponents.)
Rep. Ryan didn’t do well at the labor day parade, but remedial suggestions are at hand.
1. Public spaces mean public questions. One can’t go to a Labor Day parade and credibly assert that it’s not the time for labor-related issues. Saying as much makes a politician look arrogant or weak. One’s supporters may accept that contention, but it’s the uncommitted middle that matters most, not one’s supporters.
2. Always assume you’re being recorded. It’s a prudent assumption.
3. Don’t mug for the camera. You’re not Bill Murray, and you’ll not be so skillful in the delivery of a snarky line. Don’t offer candy or Packers schedules to protesters.
4. Be prepared, for goodness’ sake. If it’s a Labor Day parade, your aides should have a closely-typed, single sheet, double-sided list of your labor-related proposals. Hand them to protesters. Always add some new material, so when the protester says he’s seen it all, you can reply that he hasn’t, and that you’ve something new on offer.
If the protester balks at taking the sheet, question his sincerity to his professed cause.
5. Never let a softball or ludicrous question go unanswered. If someone asks you if the only way to stay competitive is to make a dollar an hour like in China, respond to that absurd claim. Many on the left dislike free trade, despite the global prosperity free trade assures participating nations.
If you can’t respond to that question then and there, you’re failing the good cause of economic liberalization and freely functioning markets.
6. Respond to obnoxious questions directly and assertively. Don’t just answer, answer assertively. Be blunt, and answer in a single sentence.
7. Don’t make silly offers to mock or tease.
8. Don’t look away from a protester. They’ll sense weakness, and others will sense weakness or indifference.
9. Offer your hand. Be outgoing. Wade into crowds, draw close to people.
10. During a confrontation, never take direction from a spouse or relative. Husband, wife, child, parent – it doesn’t matter. You ran, you won; it’s you’re decision, not a family decision. They weren’t on the ballot. Exception: it’s sometimes advantageous to let an aide be the heavy, but only occasionally (and never with ordinary people in public).
11. Don’t tell the protester the purpose of a parade. You’re not Emily Post, or a mother lecturing children about what’s appropriate, etc. Saying ‘it’s not the right time’ or ‘it’s not the right place’ at a parade makes you look skittish or stodgy.
A parade is not off limits; a wake is off limits.
12. Even when walking somewhere (other than parades), give at least a minute. Adjust your schedule accordingly, for additional time in public spaces. Have a card to give, and if possible take down an activist’s number on one of your cards.
Encounters with protesters aren’t going away, on left or right: adjust or look foolish for failure to do so.
