Hardball+Lesson+4

=Hardball Lesson #4: Hang a Lantern on Your Problems=


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** DEFINTION: **   Hanging a lantern on your problem is easier said than done. As Jimmy Carter’s press secretary said, “it goes against human nature, to stand up of your own free will and volunteer information that is bound to cause nothing but trouble.” So what exactly does this term mean? **To hang a lantern on your problem is to take a situation that would appear as a disadvantage and to bring attention to it. By acknowleging possible concerns, you take full responsibility and give assurance to the public that there's no reason to worry.**Chris Matthews points out a general rule to follow in politics: “It’s always better to be the bearer of your own bad news,” which has proved true (Matthews 156).

__** An Example from //Hardball:// ** __ Ronald Regan' s performance in the 1984 first presidential debate raised concerns about his ability to serve as president. The concerns were centered on his age, and some said that he appea red shaky and that the oldest U.S. president was beginning to show his age. Everyone was aware that in the next debate age would be the major issue, and Regan needed to push the issue away and restore the people's confidence in him. When the debate began, Regan was asked if he felt tha t he would be able to function in high stress circumstances. Regan replied, " I will not make my age an issue in this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience." Afterwards, Regan was able to move forward and demonstrated the lesson of hanging a lantern on you problems. He let the public know that the issue was of no concern and that he was able to handle his responsibilities as President (Matthews 156-158). media type="youtube" key="LoPu1UIBkBc&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"

__** John McCain: Old Enough to Have Great-Great Grandchildren? ** __ Amid talk of being the oldest President in history, John McCain chose to **respond** quickly to the public's hesitance about his age issue. While Barack Obama is 46, McCain is 72 years old and facing an age barrier. By booking himself for //Saturday Night Live// to **poke fun** at his own age, McCain is sending a **message** loud and clear to his supporters: he has a young soul and his age has nothing to do with his presidency.

[|**Click here to see McCain on SNL**]

__** John Edwards: Too Ashamed to Hang a Lantern? ** __ A recent ex-Presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator for North Carolina, Edwards **lied** about having an affair to the press while running for President. Recent confessions, however, have shed light on Edwards’ affair with Rielle Hunter, and he has personally **acknowledged** and apologized for the issue **pub licly** within the last month. media type="youtube" key="nZ5RfNTCf60&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"

**WORKS CITED:** Dick Polman. "The American Debate: The Age Factor." __The Philadelphia Inquirer__. 25 May 2008. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 23 August 2008. .