As we prepare to watch the primetime Kaine-Kilgore debate tomorrow at 7 pm, we should consider that positions on the issues are important, but ultimately meaningless without able leadership to turn them into actual policy. For all the Bush voters in 2000 and 2004 who imagined fiscal discipline and conservative social reform, they got back wild spending, increased abortion rates, and two potentially moderate Supreme Court appointees. In contrast, for all the Warner voters in 2001 who imagined that fiscal discipline and economic growth would save us from a $6 billion Gilmore deficit, they got exactly that, plus more jobs, a $2 billion surplus, and unprecedented investments in children?s health care and education. So with that, I suggest 5 key indicators to watch for in tomorrow?s debate. These indicators should help you decide whether the guy you plan to vote for will turn out more like Mark Warner, who HAD the leadership skills to implement his vision and lead Virginia effectively, or more like Jim Gilmore and George W. Bush, ineffective leaders who failed to turn their visions into reality.
1) Can they think on their feet?
It is important for leaders to think on their feet and get off-message if necessary. In a debate, everything is in real-time, so tough questions require more than what?s said in a stump speech. A good leader will answer all questions posed to them and will not back away from a challenge. A poor leader will refuse to go off-message and avoid responding to challenges by giving vague responses.Will the candidates think outside their stock responses and actually give people straight answers to the questions that are asked? Will the candidates defend themselves from attacks they know to be spurious? We?ll see on Sunday night.
2) Will they stand up for their records?
Leaders need to show confidence in the choices they have made in their political career. Good leaders will be proud of their accomplishments and be able to defend them. They will defend unpopular decisions, admit mistakes, and demonstrate how those mistakes have been addressed. They will display a deep involvement in the decision-making process, and show how they have fought for policies they believe in. Poor leaders defer decisions to others and generally don?t understand their choices enough to defend them. They waver on their positions and try to duck questions regarding controversial decisions they have made.Will the candidates stand up for their records, and explain their positions on issues that have caused public concern, or will they give vague responses? We?ll see on Sunday night.
3) Do they have a positive attitude?
Leaders should be positive about the future. Good leaders will be excited to be given the chance to lead because they feel that they are equipped to make Virginia a better place. Good leaders know where they stand, and focus on their abilities before targeting their opponent?s. They will go on the attack only when necessary to convey why their ideas have been proven to work effectively, and how their opponent has challenged those proposals. Poor leaders will stay negative, focusing on how their opponent will screw up. They?ll be spirit breakers who will try to make the voters feel like everything is in chaos, while claiming that they are the only ones who can fix it.Will the candidates be positive about the future, or complain about how the other one will fail? We?ll see on Sunday night.
4) Are they an effective communicator?
Leaders should be able to explain complex concepts in a way that all people can understand. Good leaders are able to lay out a vision that clearly identifies what they will do if elected. To do this takes more than being on message. It takes comprehension of how they plan to accomplish specific goals and priorities. Poor leaders are unable to explain how they will implement their vision. They are forced to rely on catch phrases, sound bites, and scare tactics. Poor leaders cannot defend their vision, so they must cast doubt about their opponent?s. They struggle with questions that force them to get off message and give vague, incomplete answers.After the debate, will voters leave with an understanding of what the candidates will do if elected? Will they leave with a sense of where they stand on the issues? Will they be confident that the initiatives they laid out will be passed by the legislature? We?ll see on Sunday night.
5) Do they display integrity?
Effective leadership requires a commitment to the principles of good government. Good leaders will show concern for the problems facing Virginia. They will show pride in their accomplishments that have made life better for all people in Virginia. They will convey the passion that has led to their commitment to public service. They will acknowledge that being Governor isn?t easy and will be honest about the challenges they face. They won?t promise any quick fixes. Poor leaders will make grand promises they can?t keep. They will try to diminish the accomplishments of their opponent, and possibly make snide remarks.Will the candidates show that their main priority is to make Virginia a better place for all Virginia?s? Will they dump on Virginians with beliefs different than their own? We?ll see on Sunday night.
While some of you may think the attributes I described about ?good leaders? refer directly to Tim Kaine, you are wrong. Believe it or not, many people in the Kilgore camp think HE has the attributes of a good leader, and that Tim Kaine is the one who has shown the negative attributes of a ?poor leader." The great thing about this debate is that even the most ardent Kilgore supporter will be able to watch him on display and truly answer these questions for themselves.
Will Kilgore be able to think on his feet? Will he stand up for his record? Will he share a hopeful, positive attitude for the future? Will he effectively communicate his vision? Will he show the integrity that perhaps eluded him in the previous debate? It remains to be seen. And although I am confident Tim Kaine will display strength in these 5 categories, and dubious that Jerry Kilgore will do the same, I will leave that for the viewers to decide.
That being said, I would appreciate it if people who watch the debate can give us their thoughts on how each candidate performed in these 5 categories. I look forward to hearing your thoughts after the debate concludes. See you on Sunday night!