You’re hearing about ‘warriors,’ maybe, when you’re tuning into the news?
Some of the politicians running for office are ‘warriors,’ the candidates’ supporters are exclaiming.
But then, political hopefuls are seen ducking reporters’ questions, or not even allowing reporters – except a chosen few – any access to campaign events.
Just recently, one of the big political parties, holding a big fundraising event for a big southern state governor, refused to let a substantial number of journalists attend the event. Party officials declined to issue press credentials, a particular group of journalists needed to have, in order to attend the gathering.
Who would think a reporter’s questions might be more frightening than, let’s say, fending off enemy soldiers on a battlefield?
For many decades, my colleagues and I, in the PR profession, often got bombarded with reporters’ tough questions.
Having experienced 30-caliber machine gun rounds buzzing overhead, and explosives blasting, nearby, in military warfare training exercises, let me tell you, there’s no comparison between battlefield conditions and a reporter’s questions.
So, I’m pretty amazed by these big political warriors’ apparent fears.
This is not to suggest that people in the public eye should throw caution to the wind. Like many things in life, thorough preparation can be the key to one’s success, whether one is responding to a journalist’s questions, or fending off enemy soldiers.
Speaking of that, as I was heading out the door to help a neighbor, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was taking questions – tough ones – from broadcast journalist Savannah Guthrie.
Had she ever had occasion to interview me, I would have been preparing myself, like the devil, because Ms. Guthrie is really good at asking challenging questions about almost anything.
National Security Advisor Sullivan came across as thoroughly prepared, and he surely seemed quite brave.
Kind of like a real warrior?
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.