Talk About Staying On Message

Talk about staying on message...

I had the privilege of joining 2 million other Americans on the National Mall yesterday to watch the swearing in of Barack Obama as our 44th President.

My son I rode our bicycles to the mall and stood in the shadow of the Washington Monument for almost 3 hours in 20 degree temperatures to witness history.

By now, most of you have read, watched, and/or listened to the inaugural address. Fast forward to 12:30 a.m. at Union Station and President Obama and the First Lady show up.

While they both looked a little tired, his message was very consistent with the inaugural speech and the other public statements. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. Government has a role, but it's up to individuals to get involved and not wait for government to come up with all of the answers.

Add in a little James Taylor as the opening act for the new President at this event and you could say it was a great day.

What did you think of the messages from the speech and other first day events?

"Ask not for what your country can do for you?" What will be the most quotable line?

We're 9 days away from the Inauguration of Barack Obama. Whether (weather) or not you brave the chilly January day to show up in DC at the live event, the swearing in ceremony and the speech will have global coverage.

What are the chances of a line as memorable as John F. Kennedy's in 1961? For 48 years this has been a tough speech writing act to follow. Back in November, we posed the question as to what the themes will be. The Kennedy line was memorable because of its simplicity…and also the way it was delivered.

Ironically, a non-inaugural, Republican line was recycled by Democrats during the election campaign. Ronald Reagan's "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" was an oft-used theme and phrase (four became eight and occasionally 2 months.)

So, reusing a theme will not be surprising.

I do believe that there will be a call for citizen participation and involvement. What type of rhetoric or what words will be used will make a difference? Do you have any thoughts for what phrase or word will make it for posterity?

Advice for the incoming Communicator-In-Chief?

With just a few days left before the presidential election it's time to consider one of the most important tasks facing the President-Elect: taking on the role of Communicator-In-Chief.

Barack Obama and John McCain have revealed different styles, attributes and messages in a tough campaign.

How either Obama or McCain presents himself in their victory speeches, during the transition and at the inaugural speech will make a big difference in how a new admistration will be able to lead and govern. Its difficult to imagine a time when more Americans will be scrutinizing every word, nuance and gesture of a president-elect

Given what we know how do you see the communications challenges facing the winner? What advice would you give? Should they stick to what got them here, or adjust and adapt their communication strategy, tactics and tone? And what about the loser? Will boilerplate congratulations and pledges of bi-partisanship suffice, or is something more and different required in these times?