{"id":23563,"date":"2019-02-12T06:24:33","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T11:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/?page_id=23563"},"modified":"2023-12-07T10:07:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T15:07:57","slug":"polioptics-in-presidential-announcements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/polioptics-in-presidential-announcements\/","title":{"rendered":"PoliOptics In Presidential Announcements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Location, Location, Location: Poli-optics In Presidential Campaign Announcements
\n<\/strong>Help Build Students Visual Literacy Awareness in Political Events
\nFebruary 12, 2019 (revised July 9, 2019)
\nby Frank W Baker<\/a> [NOTE: Bolded words in this column are intended for students to define for understanding.]\n

Real estate has a mantra: \u201clocation is everything.\u201d\u00a0 That applies to homes and to businesses. Today, it also applies to politics.<\/p>\n

Just as important as having the right home or business being located in the right place,\u00a0the same can be said of the person running for president.<\/p>\n

Months prior to a candidate announcing his\/her candidacy for the Presidency of the United States, much time and thought will have been devoted by the campaign as to what the right location means and communicates.<\/p>\n

In June 2015 Donald Trump rode an escalator at Trump Tower in New York City as he proceeded to a podium to make the announcement. Hillary Clinton conversely used social media, namely YouTube, to make and distribute her announcement. [The best might have been Ronald Reagan<\/a>, whose chief aide, Michael Deaver, turned photo-ops<\/strong> into an art form.]\n

Campaign and public relations consultants tell us that visuals are vital and so where<\/span> a candidate announces speaks loudly to their message. The word stagecraft<\/strong>, common in many drama\/theatre settings, has also been used to describe the process of setting up the stage, visuals and sound not only for the audience watching, but perhaps more importantly, for the media which is present to document and deliver it to TV, radio and web audiences.<\/p>\n

In more recent times, a \u00a0new word, poli-optics<\/strong><\/a>, has been used (coined by Josh King, Director of Production in President Clinton\u2019s administration) to describe the important role that visuals plays in today\u2019s politics. King explains: \u201cThe creation, production and distribution of image to persuade audiences in one direction or another is happening all around us.\u201d (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0Daniel Schill, associate professor in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University, \u201cCandidates will strategically select locations that articulate the themes of the campaign and reinforce the issues and arguments that will serve as their rationale for running.\u201d\u00a0 (<\/em>Source<\/a>)\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em>Increasingly those locations involve appearing on late night TV, which attracts a large number of young people.<\/p>\n

Increasingly, we, as educators, need to help students develop and hone their “visual literacy” skills.\u00a0 Visual literacy implies that they can “read” and analyze images. Unfortunately many have not developed these skills.
\n
\nThey\u2019re off & running<\/strong>
\n<\/u>If your students have been following the news, perhaps they are aware that many Democrats<\/a> have already thrown their “hats in the ring,\u201d announcing in the first quarter of 2019 their intention to seek their party\u2019s nomination for the presidency.<\/p>\n

The announcement is the beginning of \u201cthe race\u201d– to borrow a word from the sports world. And it is a race because it\u2019s a long time between now (Winter\/Spring 2019) and the Democratic Party\u2019s Convention in July 2020.<\/p>\n

Do your students know, for example, that special sections are often roped off and set aside specifically for the media? Campaign consultants will often require photographers and other photojournalists<\/strong> to remain in that area so as to get just the right angle of their candidate.<\/p>\n

Consider the images of candidates (below) I have culled from various news sources. Ask your students initially: what do you see?\u00a0 Without a caption to inform them, they may have some trouble. But my past experience tells me that when students are given opportunities to conduct a \u201cclose read\u201d of an image (even without the caption) they can infer much, simply from what they do see. [The excellent video Explain The Image<\/a> might be used prior to starting these visual literacy exercises.]\n

Compare & Contrast
\n<\/strong>Ask students to compare and contrast each of the photos in this post. What is the same; what is different?\u00a0 Did your students notice, for example, that all of the images are HORIZONTAL. Do they know why?\u00a0 Ask them to think about the photos they take with their mobile phone. Are they mostly horizontal or vertical?<\/p>\n

Candidate Photos & Locations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Senator Cory Booker<\/a> (below left), used an unusual setting for his announcement. As HuffPost reported<\/a>: \u201cNotwithstanding the below-freezing temperatures, Booker\u2019s decision to address reporters outside his Newark home in a working-class neighborhood provided an opportunity to showcase his status as a hometown favorite. (Booker served as mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013, before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014.)\u201d In the photo, a large number of media microphones are visible and the Senator appears relaxed, without a tie, and is looking at something or someone off camera. [Later, Booker kicked off his campaign with a campaign rally: look for that photo at the bottom of this column.]\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Senator Elizabeth Warren<\/a> (above right) \u201cchose Lawrence (Massachusetts), an old mill town about 30 miles outside Boston, with a more obscure, but very telling history: Just over 100 years ago in the factory buildings that served as a backdrop for Warren’s speech, women textile workers defied bosses and bayonets to start a strike, that as Warren said, \u2018changed America.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 (Source<\/a>) In her photo, she is seen waving to supporters while the American flag is strategically visible in the background. [Note: students need to be aware that props, like the American flag, are deliberately placed there so that they WILL get in a photojournalist’s frame.]\n

Senator Kamala Harris<\/a> (below left) used the holiday of Martin Luther King Jr\u2019s birthday \u00a0to make her announcement in her hometown of Oakland California. In this wide shot photo, she speaks from a podium while a large group of supporters is situated behind her many holding campaign signs. She also appeared on ABC\u2019s “Good Morning America”\u2014which is seen by millions of TV viewers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand<\/a> (above right) kicked off her campaign by criticizing the President with a rally in front of a Trump hotel in New York City. In the photo,\u00a0the American flag is used as the primary background, but the hotel can also be seen. Previously she had appeared\u00a0 on late night TV (Stephen Colbert) and released an announcement video on social media.<\/p>\n

Representative Tulsi Gabbard<\/a> of Hawaii (below left) made a short announcement on CNN and later appeared at a rally in Honolulu. Telepromoters and flags are prominent in the picture while the candidate is at a podium. Young people appear to be in the background sporting T shirts in support of the candidate. Senator Amy Klobuchar<\/a> of Minnesota (below right), made her announcement during a snow storm. She “opted for an outdoor rally at Boom Island Park, near the site of the 2007 Interstate 35W bridge collapse”(source<\/a>)–which she was instrumental in fighting for dollars to rebuild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Julian Castro<\/a> (below left) formally announced in his hometown of San Antonio Texas, hoping to become the nation\u2019s first Hispanic president. In this image, he stands at a podium, with a select group of supporters standing behind him, many holding campaign signs. Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney<\/a> (below right) made his announcement via an op-ed<\/a> in the Washington Post newspaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Senator Bernie Sanders<\/a> made his announcement in an email to supporters and during an interview on Vermont Public Radio.
\nThen, he held campaign rallies, (below right) not in his home state of Vermont, but rather in Brooklyn, NY–where he grew up and attended his first year of college. “Sanders contrasted his spare upbringing with Republican President Donald Trump’s privileged youth as the son of a New York real estate developer.” (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee<\/a> (above left) threw his hat into the ring by releasing an ad focused on climate change, which included menacing music, and a stand-up with darkening clouds in the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper<\/a> (above left) released an ad on YouTube to make his announcement official.\u00a0 The ad highlighted his accomplishments as a Colorado businessman-turned-politician while at the same time criticizing President Trump.\u00a0 Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke<\/a> (above right) also released a video, showing him seated alongside his wife in a living room setting. That setting is meant to convey comfort and relaxation.\u200b<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan<\/a> (above left) also used television– using an appearance on ABC’s “The View” to make his announcement. California Congressman Eric Swalwell<\/a> (above right) made it official on CBS’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
\n\"\" \"\"
\nSouth Bend Indiana Mayor Pete<\/a> Buttigieg <\/a>(above left) kicked off his formal campaign with a rally in his hometown.\u00a0 Notice the backdrop directly behind him. Because many people have trouble pronouncing his last name, he has used his first name in large letters as part of the backdrop.\u00a0 Senator Cory Booker, (above right) who had previously kicked off his campaign outside his home, held a rally in Newark NJ that emphasized social\u00a0 justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/a>
\nOn the Republican side, former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld<\/a> (pictured above) announced that he would challenge President Trump for his party’s nomination on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper.\u00a0 Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton<\/a> (above right) also jumped into the race on the Democratic side, making his intentions known on ABC’s “Good Morning America” broadcast.<\/p>\n

Former Vice President Joe Biden<\/a> (below left) jumped into the race (April 25) posting a video on Twitter<\/a>. In the video he is informally dressed, in a living room type setting, speaking directly to the camera.\u00a0 On May 1, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet<\/a> (below right) announced during an appearance on “CBS This Morning.”
\n\"\"<\/a> \u00a0 \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

On May 14, Montana Governor Steve Bullock<\/a> (below left) announced his intention via a video to gain the nomination for the Democratic Party.
\nHe speaks directed to the camera; is also dressed informally in a comfortable living room type setting. On May 16, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio<\/a>,(below right), a Democrat, made his announcement by posting a video online.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"
\nOn July 9, billionaire Tom Steyer tossed his hat into the ring, posting a video on YouTube.<\/p>\n

Other announced democratic candidates include: former Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak<\/a>, entrepreneur Andrew Yang<\/a>, author\/activist Marianne Williamson <\/a>,\u00a0<\/a>and Miramar Florida Mayor Wayne Massam<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In November 2019, Michael Boomberg<\/a> (former New York City major) announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination. And Deval Patrick<\/a> (former Massachusetts governor) also threw his hat into the ring.<\/p>\n

Reading The Images: Advice & Guidance for Students<\/strong>
\n<\/u>\u00a0Obviously your students could go online and not only locate alternative images (from the ones I\u2019ve posted here) but also read the transcripts of what each candidate said in their announcement speeches.\u00a0 At the same time, students can locate news stories about the candidates\u2019 announcements and discuss what the news media found newsworthy from the speech.<\/p>\n

If you print out each image as a handout or\u00a0 project an image for all students to see, you can help them begin to identify such things as symbolism<\/strong>, colors, clothes<\/a>, the use of social media in signage<\/strong>, diversity<\/strong> of audience and much more.<\/p>\n

The following questions might also be used to guide student thinking and understanding:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What is the setting? Why do you think that location was chosen?<\/li>\n
  2. What is prominent in the image? What is missing?<\/li>\n
  3. Where is the camera positioned that took this image? Why do you think it has been placed there? What is shown and what is not?<\/li>\n
  4. What color or colors, and symbols are visible?<\/li>\n
  5. Is the candidate\u2019s name, slogan or other message visible? If so, what is it?<\/li>\n
  6. Why are people pictured behind the candidate holding signs? Where did they get those signs?<\/li>\n
  7. In video announcements: note where the candidate is seen. Who is he\/she with?\u00a0 Why do you think they chose those people to interact with? What possible message might that send about the candidate?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If time, your students could go to the website for a specific candidate (or YouTube.com) and both watch\/listen to the campaign speech. Students could be tasked with taking notes on what they thought was the most salient thing to come from the speech. They could then compare their notes with what the news media reported. Was it the same, was it different?<\/p>\n

    On each of the candidate\u2019s websites students, can also be assigned to read any one of the many position statements. Topics like climate change, education, the economy, foreign affairs and more are likely to be found.\u00a0 Students can listen for how each of those positions is emphasized (if, at all) in their campaign announcement speeches.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Conclusion<\/strong><\/span>
    \nAs the race for the presidency heats up, the use of stagecraft and poli-optics will continue to be an important part of everything we see and hear. When we take the time to ask our students to conduct \u201cclose readings\u201d of political campaign images and events, we are helping to \u201cpull back the curtain\u201d on the techniques used by the image manipulators. In essence, this \u201cvisual literacy\u201d activity is an important part of not only their digital citizenship skills, but also their media literacy skills too.<\/p>\n


    \nRecommended Readings<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

    Visual Literacy (chapter from the first edition of my book “Media Literacy in the K-12 Classroom”)
    \n    https:\/\/www.iste.org\/docs\/excerpts\/MEDLIT-excerpt.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

    Common Core in Action: 10 Visual Literacy Strategies
    \n    https:\/\/www.edutopia.org\/blog\/ccia-10-visual-literacy-strategies-todd-finley<\/a><\/p>\n

    The Art of the Presidential Announcement from Lincoln to Obama
    \n    https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Politics\/art-presidential-announcement-lincoln-obama\/story?id=28699010<\/a><\/p>\n

    Photo-ops: From Reagan to Paul Ryan
    \n    https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/blogs\/reliable-source\/post\/political-photo-ops-from-reagan-to-paul-ryan-the-game-every-candidate-plays\/2012\/10\/17\/abc87aae-18ac-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_blog.html<\/a><\/p>\n

    The High Art\u2014and Power\u2014Of Political Stagecraft In The Age of Optics
    \n    https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/show\/the-high-art-and-power-of-political-stagecraft-in-the-age-of-optics<\/a><\/p>\n

    BOOK: “Off Script: An Advance Man’s Guide to White House Stagecraft, Campaign Spectacle, and Political Suicide.”\u00a0 https:\/\/us.macmillan.com\/books\/9781137280060\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

    BOOK: “Political Campaigns & Political Advertising: A Media Literacy Guide” <\/a>(excerpt)<\/p>\n

    The Art of Political Stagecraft\u00a0 \u00a0TIME magazine examines an array of stages at conventions from 1868 to present, where evolutions in technology, fashion and architecture have all played a role in how a candidate is portrayed.
    \n    http:\/\/swampland.time.com\/2012\/08\/29\/the-art-of-political-stagecraft\/<\/a><\/p>\n

    How Candidates Announce Can Say A Lot About Their Campaigns
    \n    https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/itsallpolitics\/2015\/04\/14\/399595210\/how-a-candidate-announces-can-say-a-lot-about-their-campaign<\/a><\/p>\n

    Visual Literacy: ideas for 21st Century Schools
    \n    http:\/\/www.21stcenturyschools.com\/visual-literacy.html<\/a><\/p>\n

    ————————————————————————————————————————————————-<\/p>\n

    Frank W Baker is a lifetime member of the National Association of Media Literacy Education<\/a> (NAMLE.) He maintains the popular education resource web site Media Literacy Clearinghouse<\/a>.\u00a0 His book, Political Campaigns & Political Advertising: A Media Literacy Guide<\/a> (ABC-CLIO) explores the role of the media in presidential politics. His most recent book, Close Reading The Media<\/a> (Routledge) dives deeper into how educators can help today’s students understand how media works and how to apply “close reading” skills to all media messages. He is a featured blogger about media literacy at Middleweb<\/a>.\u00a0 He is available to conduct hands-on, interactive workshops with teachers and students. He can be reached via email: fbaker1346@gmail.com<\/a> or via Twitter @fbaker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Location, Location, Location: Poli-optics In Presidential Campaign Announcements Help Build…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23563"}],"version-history":[{"count":110,"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24616,"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23563\/revisions\/24616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}