How to Handle Yourself at a Candidate Forum

My wife and I attend many candidate forums and sometimes we want to scream. It's not that we disagree that much with what the candidates are saying, since in MoCo the answers on the issues are pretty much the same. But sometimes candidates seem to not know anything about how to act.

First and foremost, speak loudly. over and over, including at tonight's Board of Ed forum, some candidates speak so quietly that most people can't hear them. They might as well not be there.

Next, learn how to handle a microphone. You wouldn't believe how many candidates move their heads to look in different directions while keeping the microphone in the same place, away from their mouths. A related problem is candidates who move their hands when talking, including moving the microphone all over, everywhere except where their mouths are.

And how many candidates have you heard who seem to be bored, speaking in monotones. If they're excited about asking for our votes, why don't they demonstrate that by speaking excitedly to us?

Another issue involves body language. Some candidates seem to think that when they're not speaking no one can see them. They look all around, seem to be sleeping, putting their hands all over their faces. We can see all this and it doesn't make us want to have you as our enthusiastic representative.

And then there are the moderators. The first rule for moderators is STOP talking. Too often the moderators talk endlessly about how many seconds each candidates will have to speak. We don't care. Tell the candidates before the forum. And don't try to be funny or impose you opinions. We're there to hear the candidates. Say "Welcome to this candidate forum" and then immediately ask the candidates to give their opening statements. And keep track of who is to be called on, so you're not saying, "Who are we up to?" That just makes you look lazy.

Candidate forums can be interesting, but the candidates and moderators have to help make them so.