When you campaign for Clark there will be multiple opportunities to speak on behalf of Clark. Whether you speak one on one, in a small group, or to a local crowd, you will need communication skills. This tool will give you pointers on how to be an effective communicator no matter what the situation.

The best thing you can do to ensure you are an effective communicator is to prepare ahead of time. Preparation for a speaking engagement ensures that you are less likely to feel nervous and more likely to feel confident in what you say. Read General Clark’s biography and where he stands on the issues. Be sure to read Clark talking points, too! Understand who he is and what he stands for. The more you know, the better able you will be to answer questions on Clark and speak on his behalf.

There are a lot of great things you can say about Clark, so many that you won’t have enough time to say them all! Try to pick the top three or four things you want to say. Organize them in a logical order and make sure you state and explain each point well.

Before you head out to speak on behalf of Clark, think about what you want to say. What are the three things about Clark that make you want to vote for him? What are three things are about Clark that will make others want to vote for him? Memorize a few things and be able to explain them well.

There might be opportunities for you to speak to a group you belong to or know about. If you are given this opportunity, make sure you prepare ahead of time. Some public speeches will be more informal than others. A good rule for any public speech is to have an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion to the speech. The more organized your speech is the easier it will be for your audience to understand you.

“There are a lot of candidates in the election for president but there is only one clear choice for me-General Wesley Clark. I am very pleased to speak with you today about Wes Clark and his plan for a New American Patriotism. I hope that I can inform you about why I support Clark and why I am asking you to support him, too. First, Clark is the kind of leader we need for America. He is a four star general with a distinguished military record. He was the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO who saved more than 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing, all without loosing one allied life. He is a successful businessman and a recognized expert on foreign policy. In this world of insecurity, Wes Clark is a leader that can provide us real security both at home and abroad without recklessly endangering our troops in needless conflicts. But his leadership ability isn’t the only reason you should vote for him. Clark is also a strong Democrat committed to American values. Clark’s Vision for a New American Patriotism is founded on the values of responsibility and service. Clark is pro-health care, pro-environment, pro-affirmative action, pro-labor, and pro-choice. He spent years in the military tirelessly working to provide adequate education, health care and retirement for America’s soldiers. He will continue this commitment to American values when elected president. Finally, I am supporting Clark because he is a man of character and integrity. He is a person of strength that works for all Americans. He is a person of courage that isn’t afraid of hard work. He is a person of character who isn’t afraid to say what he believes. In conclusion, Clark is a candidate with the leadership, character, and courage we need in the White House. His proven record of service combined with his vision for a New American Patriotism make him the most qualified candidate for president. Please join me in supporting Wes Clark for President.”

When you write a speech or think of what you want to say when speaking with someone, always consider the audience you are speaking to. What issues will concern them the most? Try to adapt your speech to the audience you are giving it to. Remember, there’s a lot to say about Clark and very little time to say it in. Pick the issues that will be most important to the group you speak to.

Conclusion

The power to change America is in your hands. The Clark for President Grassroots 101 tool is only a small part of the process. Your initiative and time will decide the direction of this country now and in the future. Be empowered by this tool to organize your community and let your voice be heard!