Psychological strategies for President Obama and the Democrats in Congress

[Uncle Joe]

On edit this message is also intended for the Democrats in Congress.

On a thread by Cali_Democrat.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014608833

Sen. Elizabeth Warren railed against Republican "hostage tactics" during a speech on the government shutdown.

"In a democracy, hostage tactics are the last resort for those who can’t otherwise win their fights through elections, can’t win their fights in Congress, can’t win their fights for the Presidency, and can’t win their fights in Courts," Warren said. "For this right-wing minority, hostage-taking is all they have left – a last gasp of those who cannot cope with the realities of our democracy."

This is also an answer as to why Obama met with the Republicans at the White House.

http://www.policeone.com/standoff/articles/1247470-Hostage-negotiations-Psychological-strategies-for-resolving-crises/

Speak slowly and calmly. People’s speech patterns tend to mirror the tone of the dominant conversation, so provide a model of slow, calm, clear communication from the outset. This doesn’t mean speaking in a mechanical, droning monotone, but avoid letting your pitch rise or your speech rate quicken excessively in response to frustration, irritation, or provocation. Set the standard of mature, adult conversation from the outset.

Adapt your conversation to HT’s vocabulary level. You want to avoid either talking over the head of the HT or talking down to him or trying to mimic his pattern or level of speech too closely. A few minutes of conversation should allow you to adapt your own speech to his style and rhythm. Of course, if the HT’s native language is not your own, a negotiator fluent in his language would be ideal, but if this is not possible, a skilled interpreter should be available.

Even with foul-mouthed HTs, avoid using unnecessary profanity yourself. Remember that people who are stressed or angry are more likely to use profanity. You are trying to model mature, adult speech and behavior in order to calm the situation. So, just as you modulate your voice tone in the direction of greater control and rationality, do the same with your speech content. This doesn’t mean you have to orate like a church pastor: you can keep it real, just use a bit of verbal decorum and respect.

For emotional HTs, allow productive venting, but deflect dangerous escalation of speech tone and content. In many instances, the whole rationale for the hostage situation is so the HT can “make a point” or “tell my story.” Good. If that’s what he wants, allow him to freely express his frustrations and disappointments, but don’t let venting become ranting or spewing, which can lead to further loss of control. Instead, modulate your own speech style and content in a calming direction.

There is much more on the link.

[frazzled]

1. A little presumptuous, doncha think?

First of all, the White House was the first to use the "hostage" metaphor, long before the shutdown--at the first demand they made regarding Obamacare.

Second, you think this president needs advice to "speak slowly and calmly"? Really? Have you ever listened to him?

[Uncle Joe]

2. Not really, and I'm not referring to Obama speech patterns to the nation so much

as to his meetings with the hostage takers.

No doubt that and future meetings will be loaded with stress and emotion, this is just reinforcement.

However you have given me an idea on how to edit my post.