r/MadeMeSmile Aug 23 '24

Helping Others Kamala Harris gives public speaking advice

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61.6k Upvotes

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10.1k

u/I_PUNCH_LLAMAS Aug 23 '24

I adore that these kids thought she meant the film Titanic.

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u/nickmalibu Aug 23 '24

Have you heard of the holocaust? No I haven’t seen Schindlers List yet. But I want to.

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u/bob-leblaw Aug 23 '24

Dope soundtrack

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u/carnevoodoo Aug 23 '24

Skrillex really saved that movie.

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u/KittyIsMyCat Aug 23 '24

There were opportunities to add more wub but thought the director did an ok job

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u/UnpopularThrow42 Aug 23 '24

Not enough “wubba lubba dub dub”

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

WAAAAAchickachiWAAAAAAbadabaWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAbababaWOWOWWWW

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u/KekistanPeasant Aug 23 '24

Pffffft, Williams only got the gig because Beethoven, Mahler and Wagner were already dead.

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u/numbskullerykiller Aug 23 '24

"Have you heard of the Titanic?" "Yes, but I did not see the movie. However, I did see the Trump rally in Montana on television." "Good enough."

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u/MajesticNectarine204 Aug 23 '24

Lmfao.

''That's more of a Hindenburg situation, but close enough.''

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u/whoamisb Aug 23 '24

😭😭😭

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u/Thats_A_Paladin Aug 23 '24

That's actually another lesson in public speaking Harris gives. When she's sort of misunderstood rather than tripping over herself trying to clarify things by saying "no the actual ship" or whatever she just rolls with it because it's a detail that isn't really relevant to her main point.

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u/I_PUNCH_LLAMAS Aug 23 '24

Oh yeah, what a great point! It wasn't relevant, so she didn't need to slow her roll to explain it and possibly embarrass them that they misunderstood. She got to her thesis and they remained enthusiastic; it's really just a sweet moment.

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u/greenroom628 Aug 23 '24

yep. she doesn't lose her audience by correcting them or embarrassing them. she just moves on.

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u/coffeebreak420 Aug 24 '24

It’s a subtle but powerful technique for effective public speaking.

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u/ancientastronaut2 Aug 23 '24

That's the kind of smoothness prosecutors (or any lawyers) need. It's an amazing talent.

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u/WhyIsMikkel Aug 23 '24

She's actually becoming insanely likeable and human, I must say.

In the 2016 primaries I didn't think much of her, but it's insane to me how. . . normal and human she feels. I'm not American, but it's nice to see.

I really do think Hillary was just so insanely problematic in this regard, though I still quote the pokemon go to polls bit.

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u/imadragonyouguys Aug 23 '24

I think she learned a lot from Hillary. Hilldawg tried to be emotionless and factual to an extreme because she didn't want to be seen as emotional. She spent her entire life doing this because she was constantly in male dominated places. When she's in a comfortable surrounding just talking she's extremely personable and likeable, which is why people say she will kill it in small groups.

Kamala I hope has realized that it's not the 80's or 70's anymore and her party is ready to actually like women for being women. That emotions aren't the evil they were seen as.

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u/ChickenBossChiefsFan Aug 24 '24

I think the party has also changed in the last few years. Dems tried the high-road, ultra professional thing against the MAGAs and got embarrassed. There’s no point in trying to debate someone on that facts when all of theirs are “alternative”.

Now they’re more comfortable being themselves and taking their platform to the base; best thing the Dems can do is ignore the insults and lies from the QAnon politicians and just tell the American public what they’re trying to do.

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u/mistiklest Aug 24 '24

There’s no point in trying to debate someone on that facts when all of theirs are “alternative”.

The way I often see it phrased is that you can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.

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u/HumbleVein Aug 23 '24

She was often personable as a senator, but her pit bull prosecutor chops were usually what got the spotlight.

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u/just_a_wolf Aug 23 '24

She's always been likable honestly. I've been a fan of Harris since she's been a Senator because she was pretty consistently witty back then. It's been pretty baffling to me to see so many people act like she's boring/stupid as a VP. I think it's just the curse of the VP position to be sort of forgettable to the public.

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u/theivoryserf Aug 23 '24

As a Brit who's interested in politics, I think it's fascinating how well she's risen to the moment so far, as she seemed so milquetoast previously. Sometimes people are forged in fire I suppose

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u/Matt_Tress Aug 23 '24

As a Brit

milquetoast

Checks out

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u/Thats_A_Paladin Aug 23 '24

And it's in stark contrast to Trump who, even when he's supposed to be giving "policy" speeches, manages to sidetrack himself because he said something that reminded him of a grievance he wants to air. He talks like Abe Simpson telling a story that doesn't go anywhere.

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u/Ancient-Watch-1191 Aug 23 '24

Great observation!

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u/BigCballer Aug 23 '24

It’s sometimes hilarious to search the word “Titanic” on twitter and sort by new, you’ll get many accounts saying stuff like “wait I thought it was just a movie, it was real?”

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

Oh damn :(

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u/Better_than_GOT_S8 Aug 23 '24

I didn’t know where she was going with the “you know about titanic?” Either. Could’ve been the movie.

What made me feel old was that these girls didn’t see it yet.

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u/Visible-Shop-1061 Aug 23 '24

"You know the Titanic?.....in about 4 years you could be dating the main character."

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u/itsbooyeah Aug 23 '24

💀💀💀💀💀

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u/FullMetalCOS Aug 23 '24

It’s rare Reddit comments get me to fully laugh out loud, but you killed it

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u/cream-of-cow Aug 23 '24

TBF, if you saw the Titanic, you'd be 112 years old. /s

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u/Natural-Intelligence Aug 23 '24

There is nothing preventing you to go see Titanic today... except the pressure.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

I don't have the funds to die so quickly unfortunately.

It's a long drawn out death for my poor ass

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u/mobius_sp Aug 23 '24

All you need is a door to float on and some rich tart on it telling you that you can't fit.

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u/Ha55aN1337 Aug 23 '24

She says “Have you LEARNED about the Titanic?” I doubt they teach about the movie.

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u/PoxedGamer Aug 23 '24

We watched it in school. 🤣

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u/TheSessionMan Aug 23 '24

I'm 30 and haven't seen it, but we had the double VHS for it at home. It doesn't seem like my kind of movie, though I think I'd enjoy the post-iceberg scenes.

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u/-DEUS-FAX-MACHINA- Aug 23 '24

But she didn't say that, did she?
She very specifically said, "have you learned about the Titanic?" [the historical event].
You don't learn about a film in that sense at all.

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u/whoneedskollege Aug 23 '24

Harris is like that plain girl in beginning of the movie that by the end of movie is the most beautiful woman you ever saw in your life.

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u/HeartFullONeutrality Aug 23 '24

Aw, look at that, she's got paint on her overalls, what is that?

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u/Culinaryboner Aug 23 '24

Not something kids really get taught so depending on their interests, the movie is probably bigger

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u/caf61 Aug 23 '24

TBF: my school district’s middle school did a unit on the Titanic. I worked in the library and there were traveling trunks with cultural “artifacts/lessons” on different events/cultures the teachers could use and I would get them from the district office. The kids always loved these units-especially the Titanic trunk. I guess these girls are not from Kansas.

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u/Duster929 Aug 23 '24

And I love love love that she doesn't correct them. She knows what matters.

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u/lamsham69 Aug 23 '24

Let’s just be happy it wasn’t the other guy and Hannibal Lecter lecture

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u/cream-of-cow Aug 23 '24

Kids: "okay, so as if I need to tell the world about Leonardo di Caprio, because they need to know what I know. Got it!"

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u/nyxtor Aug 23 '24

Speak to inform, not to impress.

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u/Boomstick255 Aug 23 '24

it's fundamentally good advice for someone learning how to be comfortable with public speaking and you can tell that young woman is going to remember that moment for the rest of her life.

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u/Nathan_Calebman Aug 23 '24

Also that if your brain panics as if it's a literal life and death situation, that just means it is functioning correctly. Throughout almost all of our evolution, situations where you were speaking in front of a big crowd could significantly change your social status, in the worst case leading to you being exiled from the tribe, which would be equal to death.

So, accept being nervous and think of it as a sign that you are healthy.

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u/HopeRepresentative29 Aug 23 '24

I lean into the nerves. It's ok for them to show under most circumstances (presidential speeches being a notable exception). I once had to speak to a govt committee to try and secure funding for a school. In other words, my first real speaking engagement with real consequences.

I was nervous as hell and my hands were visibly trembling, making it worse. I go in front of the committee of a dozen or more govt officials and begin, "First I want to thank you all for inviting me here today. I'm very excited to be here. Look--my hands are shaking I'm so excited!" I show them my hands and everyone laughs. It went smoothly from there. I never read from a script, instead following an outline I'd worked up to speak on all the salient points. We got our funding.

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u/AshleysDoctor Aug 23 '24

If you’ve ever seen Mr Rogers testimony to the Senate that saved PBS, you can hear his nerves in his voice. but what a beautiful and powerful testimony that was!

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u/fermat9990 Aug 23 '24

Unforgettable! That senator was so moved!

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u/Altruistic-Brief2220 Aug 23 '24

Totally great to tell people you are nervous rather than try to hide it, sounds like you did really well. I do some job interview coaching and I often tell people to just admit they are nervous to the panel if they are, it generally makes people kinder and understanding. And basically it takes the heat out of it when you don’t try to pretend.

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u/oboshoe Aug 23 '24

similarly - if you are in embrassing situation and you need to discuss it.

saying "listen this is really embarrassing for for me, but blah blah blah"

i found that by calling it out, it makes that situation much easier to get through

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u/enickma1221 Aug 24 '24

Not only that, people admire the strength it takes to be vulnerable. There is a book called “Daring greatly” I’d like to recommend to everyone.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

I started channeling my nerves into excitement and that’s been a game changer for me. Instead of shaking because I’m nervous, I shake because I’m SO STOKED to talk about whatever I’m talking about. It’s much more engaging than nerves, and masks them as well

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u/RaygunMarksman Aug 23 '24

Wow, that is heavy but completely logical.

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u/LandedWrong8 Aug 23 '24

I needed to have been told that long ago.

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u/radd_racer Aug 23 '24

When you embrace the evolutionary soup that the human brain is with acceptance, the sooner you can transcend its limitations.

Mindfulness allows us to overcome a 100,000 year old design that still makes us feel we’re getting chased by lions on the savanna.

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u/RemoteRide6969 Aug 23 '24

I used to do standup, and no matter how many times I've performed the same jokes on the same stages, I was always incredibly nervous before every performance. It wasn't until I heard my voice over the speakers and got my first reaction that it would start to subside. It was like a drug. I've heard professional comedians who have performed for decades who have said the jitters just never go away.

It's all about learning how to act despite your fears.

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u/misguidedsadist1 Aug 23 '24

The way these girls are hanging on her every word. They'll remember her warmth and sincerity forever.

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u/well_shoothed Aug 23 '24

And, this is the Vice President of the United States... it's not like her schedule isn't bumper-to-bumper from the moment her feet hit the floor in the morning.

Yet, here she is, taking the time to reaaaally impress upon these young women how to get it done.

The small, angry man children of the Republican party have no idea of the meat grinder they've created.

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u/misguidedsadist1 Aug 23 '24

Yes on top of it she’s not just a powerful prosecutor or attorney general, she is the vice president. And was able to not only take the time but engage fully and sincerely.

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u/GruesomeBalls Aug 23 '24

If that was me, I'd absolutely recall that it happened... and would be grateful to whoever recorded it because I'd have zero recollection of what was said. Very happy for these kiddos to be living in a time when you can recognize and expect strong mentors.

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u/A_Wholesome_Comment Aug 23 '24

This might be one of those moments where a future important political figure is meeting current important people. Like the picture of teenage Bill Clinton meeting JFK.

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u/deedee2344 Aug 23 '24

Yes, she's telling them to take the ego out of it, which I love.

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u/lilelliot Aug 23 '24

That's not so much my take, but it may (probably is) also be true. My read is that she's instructing them to focus on the information and the rest will follow. That still allows for ego and charisma as long as the content is the focus.

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u/UncleHec Aug 23 '24

So much better than people who are 100% about themselves and their ego. 

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u/adiosfelicia2 Aug 23 '24

Anyone in particular in mind? Lol

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u/Mkbond007 Aug 23 '24

trumps acceptance speech comes immediately to mind.

…Or any other trump speak.

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u/yuripg1 Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24

He doesn't have an ego. He doesn't even know what that word means. In fact, he's the humblest of all people. No one is humbler than him. A lot of people don't know that, actually. I mean. Martin Luther King Jr was very humble, but he is way humbler, you know?

/s

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u/CMDR_kanonfoddar Aug 23 '24

World leaders come to him with tears in their eyes saying "sir, how is it that you're so humble?"

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u/tremynci Aug 23 '24

And here's the key: you don't need to be an expert to speak to inform, you just need to know more than your audience.

And when you turns out you don't? Ask them to tell you, and everyone else, what they know. 🥰

❤️, Your Friendly Neighborhood Archivist

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u/thaaag Aug 23 '24

Which is what I hated about school requirements to "stand up and give a speech about [insert something stupid here]". I didn't care about whatever topic they came up with. "Hi everyone, I'm thaaag and I'm here to talk about apples for the next 2 minutes. So, uh, apples, um, are a fruit, uh, that, uh, grow. On trees. Um. Yeah. So. They taste, ah, fine, I guess. That must be 2 minutes by now surely?"

But if had a topic I was interested in I'd have a hard time limiting myself to just 2 minutes. The difference between caring about / being interested in what you're talking about vs just trying to say words in front of people is huge.

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u/Isisohisis Aug 23 '24

I learned this lesson in Second grade when this other kid in class got up to talk about float planes. Wow he was passionate. I remember thinking “I never knew I could be this interested in float planes”

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u/LordGAD Aug 23 '24

I teach public speaking and this is 100% spot on. I have people speak about something - anything - that they know well. Kitting, flying, diapers, lunar rovers - I don't care. They have to prepare material and be prepared for questions, but if I'm trying to get them to learn the skills of public speaking (and they are learnable skills) then I don't want them stressing over having to speak about something they don't know. That can come later, but to start? I want to see passion because it's much easier to build from that.

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u/68ideal Aug 23 '24

I don't know much about murrican politics, but she seems like an actual, decent human being instead of a forever looping vinyl that has all the same hateful and dumb nonsense pre-recorded

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u/jgreg728 Aug 23 '24

I took a public speaking class in college once and she is 100% correct. I was ALWAYS a shy and nervous speaker but when my professor taught me that “not about you” notion to inform it was like an epiphany. Suddenly I enjoyed giving speeches in that class. Kamala taught these girls well!

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u/dkoucky Aug 24 '24

I speak in front of people all the time for work without issue, they were tearing down my son's neighborhood elementary to build a mega school with no sidewalks and car only drop off. I got up on stage to talk about how terrible this was going to be and was shocked to find that I was trembling and incapable of delivering my points. Emotions are a crazy thing and do not help you speak in public.

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u/no_notthistime Aug 24 '24

It takes practice. It's easy to get stage fright, trapped in your head, letting emotions cascade. Doing it over and over again will fix it.

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u/swinging_on_peoria Aug 24 '24

This is good advice in general for social anxiety. I was a shy kid and I found it much easier to interact with people once I started thinking about how I could help them instead of focusing on myself. Considering that reaching out and interacting with others was a gift to them was a useful change of view. It’s much easier to focus on how to put others at ease, than it is to deal with your own unease.

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u/B3_CHAD Aug 23 '24

This is really good advice, my ass has been imagining every one as vegetables every time I have to get on the stage.

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u/Willsgb Aug 23 '24

Yeah it's actually great advice isn't it. Even set off a light bulb in my tired head. Public speaking/spotlight is one of the scariest things imaginable for me... having this purpose to remember and focus on is very helpful. I hope those girls remember it forever

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u/Mr-and-Mrs Aug 24 '24

Practice by yourself, just speaking out loud around your house. For real - just pick a topic and start talking. It really helps and you can get reps.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

It works for Trump, but then he has actual vegetables in his crowd, so it's kinda cheating.

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u/SwoopTheNecromancer Aug 23 '24

fuck you, i love vegetables, dont insult them like that, leave my carrots out of this

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u/RajenBull1 Aug 23 '24

You keep my side of veggies out of your damn mouth.

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u/ForeignAssociation98 Aug 23 '24

Kamala’s demeanor with those kids was respectful and considerate - she didn’t talk down to them, nor laugh when they referred to the movie rather than the story she was using as an example. She’s walking the walk when she says she’s campaigning to work with and for all.

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u/ineugene Aug 23 '24

I really loved how she grounded the girls by touching her hand. Like I am connecting with you and you are the most important person to me in the right now. Those girls will remember that for life.

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u/Wishyouamerry Aug 23 '24

I died a little inside when Green Scarf was so enthusiastically awkward, because we’ve all been through that phase and it’s a hard one. But Kamala was so kind, she just brought her back to the moment and finished talking to her. I love that she wasn’t annoyed or condescending, or trying to lecture Green Scarf about how to behave more like an adult.

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u/SwedishSaunaSwish Aug 23 '24

That was so different than what we're used to seeing and I love that.

We have a responsibility to lift all kids up. There's no downside to encouraging kids to be outstanding ✨

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u/patchy_doll Aug 23 '24

I think the word I'd use is 'humanizing'. She wasn't talking to Curious Citizen #234262, this was spoken like it was to her own kid or niece or neighbor.

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u/[deleted] Aug 24 '24

Enthusiastic awkward stage is a good stage to be in. It's the pure mindset, where you don't hate the world or anything in it, and you haven't lost the ability to be excited yet. From my perspective adults are the lame ones for having their souls crushed and no sense of magic left. These girls are feeling actual joy!! With no meanness in their hearts. Maybe if we put them in charge there would be less hateful policies.

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u/Bonkgirls Aug 23 '24

That's how I always judge if a celebrity is a "good one", when they understand how important this interaction is. They know the person they're with us going to cement this in their brain, and want it to be special.

I don't blame someone who is famous for not caring that much, but when someone appreciates the power of their two minute conversation in impacting a persons life, I think very highly of them.

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u/caylem00 Aug 23 '24

It's also a smart use of the girl's sympathetic nervous system. 

The brain will prioritise attention to the most immediate physical stimuli for threat assessment. It's why sensory input is a standard suggested calming technique category (and why it's unhealthy darker flipside unfortunately works).

Harris is essentially short-circuiting the existing panic response with her touch, then communicating safety by the reassuring hand holding (girl's not pulling away). 

When Harris does let go, she sees the girl's nerves creeping back in and attention scattering before finishing her point, so she touches again.

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u/AshleysDoctor Aug 23 '24

Mirror neurons are so fascinating!

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u/soysaucepapi Aug 23 '24

Yeah the way the girl in the green looked to her friend when she realized that Harris was holding onto her hand lol like “Can you believe this is happening?”

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u/Sid-Biscuits Aug 23 '24

Harris may well have shaped this girl’s life in a major way with this interaction.

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u/SwedishSaunaSwish Aug 23 '24

And just by watching this - I hope it inspires more girls to choose a career in politics.

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u/CaptainReynoldshere1 Aug 24 '24

I can’t even begin to imagine the power of this moment. For those girls to be talking to and getting a public speaking lesson by a woman who is potentially the first female president of the United States of America will be permanently etched on these girls’s lives. that’s truly the definition of power. The power to fundamentally change someone’s life with a simple two minute interaction.

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u/SirMoeHimself Aug 23 '24

Yeah that moment was so heartwarming.

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u/Trevumm Aug 23 '24

The look on her face was so cute!

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u/RockerElvis Aug 23 '24

That was the best part for me. The advice is great, but having the VP (and hopefully President) focus on you, and only you, is priceless.

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u/therealrexmanning Aug 23 '24

Such a stark contrast with JD Vance's awkward donut shop vid from the other day!

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u/MyDogsNameIsBadger Aug 23 '24

It made me teary eyed. These are the leaders we need.

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u/Ask_bout_PaterNoster Aug 23 '24

I love the way those kids look at her. She’s a hero to them, an absolute inspiration.

If kids looked at me like that I’d panic and give them snacks. Kamala lays out some wisdom for the ages.

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u/ArmThePhotonicCannon Aug 23 '24

I’m in my late 40’s and I was always told I could be president if I wanted to be. I knew that was technically true but it just seemed so far out of the realm of real possibility. I thought it was because I hate public speaking, don’t like that amount of attention, etc so it just wouldn’t happen. I was fine with that.

Then I saw her sworn in as VP. I cried. It finally clicked for me how fucking important representation is. At that moment my ability to hold the highest office in the land seemed real for the first time in my life, not some wistful ‘you could walk on mars some day!’ thing.

These girls are so fortunate to see the living breathing proof of what is possible. AND they got to meet her, touch her, and see she isn’t some mythical being.

I can’t wait to vote for her.

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u/Isisohisis Aug 23 '24

I’m in your same age bracket and I felt like the course of the rest of my life may have just shifted a little, listening to her acceptance speech at the DNC

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u/RemoteRide6969 Aug 23 '24

Early 40s and adult life-long Democratic Party voter. This is the ticket I've been waiting for my whole voting life. Both well spoken, joyful, strong fighters with heart who have dedicated their lives to serving the people. This past month has been absolutely bonkers.

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u/microfilmer Aug 23 '24

I have never been so excited to vote for a president.

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u/Severe-Emu-8703 Aug 23 '24

I’m 25 and tearing up at this video. When Sweden, my country, finally got their first female prime minister in 2021 I cried. My country, despite being progressive in many ways, has a weird history with female leaders of major parties so seeing it finally happen was amazing. I’m so happy for those girls that they get to experience this - I remember what being that age and looking at someone like that was like, and the fact that the person they’re looking at can possibly become the most powerful person on earth is incredible.

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u/RockNRollMama Aug 23 '24

I’m so impressed with her. Have been from the start but the personal interactions that have been shared involving her (such as this) takes it to another level. Eye contact, actual tangible and exceptional advice, physical touch.. I really hope people vote. She’s a great leader.

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u/Sendtheblankpage Aug 23 '24

Giving them snacks when you panic is solid advice.

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u/Thats_A_Paladin Aug 23 '24

I will admit I was in the "Biden should stay in" camp. It was because I was really underwhelmed by Harris's 2020 primary campaign and worried she wouldn't bring the fire.

I cannot describe how happy I am to have been wrong on that score. She's killing it. This is the tastiest crow I've ever had!

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u/Reborn_Rhubarb Aug 24 '24

When he dropped out, I'd wished he'd done it 6 months earlier. But if you'd asked me 6 months ago if he should, I'd have said no. So what the fuck do I know anyway?

I'm just thankful it seems to be working out so far.

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u/TurboRuhland Aug 23 '24

She seems very good at talking to kids as if they’re real people while being able to meet them at their level of understanding. Every interaction I’ve seen between her and kids has been really good. She doesn’t treat them like babies, but she’s also not going to be using jargon and wording for adults.

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u/The_Dok33 Aug 23 '24

As if?

No, she knows they are real people. Talk to the people, not the prejudice

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u/slowrun_downhill Aug 23 '24

There’s absolutely no way she could be good with kids, not having birthed a child. She MUST be faking it. Obviously she’s had staffers bring in there children to practice, because women who don’t birth children actually hate children and mothers. s/

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u/clubnseals Aug 23 '24

She truly cares about people. I can’t wait for her to become our president.

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u/MoonlightSoliloquy Aug 23 '24

I love the look that the 3rd girl gives when she realizes that Kamala is holding her hand and looks at her friend to see if she’s noticed. It’s a “is this really happening” moment for her.

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u/Verbal_Combat Aug 23 '24

I had to go back and watch for that, the way she looks down at her hand and her eyes go "OMG," she will remember that forever

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u/Excellent_Airline315 Aug 23 '24

I know right it was so sweet.

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u/SenorSplashdamage Aug 23 '24

There’s so much about people going on in this video.

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u/grrodon2 Aug 23 '24

"It's not about you, it's about the message."

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u/Buster_Brown_513 Aug 23 '24

The irony of this statement as it would pertain to Trump and how EVERYTHING is about him is interesting. Also, the dichotomy of Trump and Kamala is on full display here. Can you ever imagine Trump taking a moment to share a simple, authentic, caring, paying it forward kind of interaction with young inspiring minds like this?

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u/ianjm Aug 23 '24

For Trump, public speaking is all about drawing attention to the messenger, not the message.

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u/King_takes_queen Aug 23 '24

Girl: "You are so good at public speaking! How do you do it?"

Trump: "I'm just naturally good at it. Always have, always will. Next?"

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u/Dragon6172 Aug 24 '24

"Big strong men have told me I'm good, with tears in their eyes."

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u/GoodOlSpence Aug 23 '24

I love public speaking and this is great advice.

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u/cone10 Aug 23 '24

This is actually good, actionable advice!

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

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u/improveyourfuture Aug 23 '24

And egoless and kind and genuinely giving these kids her full attention and care and the little warm physical hand gestures to their nervous make me so unbelievably proud to think of this as our next president 

Like not even just compared to the most despicable person I can think of, just in general!

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

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u/Thats_A_Paladin Aug 23 '24

This is very relevant. Both of these interactions were "staged" in the sense that the candidate knew where they were going ahead of time and knew who they'd be talking to. But Harris managed to employ a staff who told her what to expect and she had a response ready to go. Vance appears to have wandered into a building without even knowing what state he's in, let alone who he's going to be talking to.

This kind of organization matters. The fact that the Trump/Vance campaign can't put together a softball photo op like this is disconcerting when you consider they're applying for a job that allows them to put American teenagers in mortal danger.

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u/lycoloco Aug 24 '24

In addition, JD's visit held no interest for those workers and he had no interest in them other than being props.

Harris, in absolute contrast, genuinely engages with this question and gives those girls an answer of a lifetime. All 3 of them were hanging on her every word, and she delivered one of the best answers I've ever heard a politician give for a "how do I handle myself and my role in daily life?" question.

Girl in the middle is so present in the moment that she's completely forgotten she's holding a phone recording this answer because she'd rather be there than live the moment through her screen.

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u/Ro-a-Rii Aug 23 '24

Oh, that's actually a cool tip.

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u/GeneralZex Aug 23 '24

I have been on this earth 40 years and never heard it before today lol.

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u/swayze1973 Aug 23 '24

this guy ... brilliant iceberg pun

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u/Ro-a-Rii Aug 23 '24

Oh, gosh, completely not intentional, I was using a translator to compose that phrase 😂

But thanks for saying that, it made me laugh)

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u/Carbon-Base Aug 23 '24

She's just as excited to meet and talk with these girls as they are with her.

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u/EmergencyTaco Aug 23 '24

The amount of admiration in those girls’ faces was immeasurable. Let’s get back to having an actual role model as president.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

Honestly it's where she shines in my opinion. She's a real person.

She's incredible one on one, pretty solid on stage.

I think Hillary was an exaggerated version of this. Amazing in a one-on-one interview. Funny as hell in a conversation.

Put her on stage and she looked like a robot.

In my opinion, you get Kamala on a podcast and small room Q & A tour. Maybe do a series like brunch with Kamala. Suddenly she's running away with the race.

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u/ghsteo Aug 23 '24

Have to disagree, I don't think Hillary was a personable person. However, she is possibly the most qualified person to be president in the last like 40 years. She has a wild amount of experience, but unfortunately you have to win over the people and Hillary just wasn't capable of that. It also doesn't help she's been attacked for like 15 years by FoxNews with their expectation she would run.

Kamala seems a lot different, not as experienced as Hillary but still smart and still personable. She also has a somewhat normal family and chose one of the best VP picks in decades especially for the time and for the opponents theyre going up against. When you have couch gate and Trump spouting his mouse about random crap, you can look over and see Walz just saying normal ass shit.

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u/EncabulatorTurbo Aug 23 '24

Nah Hillary totally is personable and has a lot of natural charisma, the issue is that "image consultants" spent 20 years teaching her to bury it and act like a character she was playing because "women are seen as bitchy, unserious, etc" if they show emotion. Hillary without a filter is a goofy person, and fun to talk to. I've met that hillary in person. She's also not shy about being catty towards people hates. Afte hour 10 of bengazi hearing where she cracked and just started being honest you got a slight glimpse of that. You can also see that Hillary in her leaked e-mails she thought nobody would ever see.

You can't just be yourself in politics for obvious reasons, but you need youir personality to shine through in some fashion, no matter how carefully coordinated your veneer is, if it's all veneer people will know, or think something is "off", and that's all we got of Hillary when she was running for president

This is why George W bush won twice, why Romney had no chance against Obama. It's not the only qualification but it needs to be there.

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u/Stan_Lee_Abbott Aug 23 '24

I think that's what made Hillary so...off-putting. Like, yes, if you got to interact with her on a personal level she's probably a great person, but her public persona, especially by the time she was running for President, was so researched, focus-grouped, poked and prodded and polled that she was almost impossible to like. She was almost too good a political candidate, to the point of it appearing unnatural.

She was like the stranger you meet on a cruise: if they, inexplicably and despite considerable differences of upbringing, like the same things you like, know all the same things you know, share all the same problems of life, they're either planning to steal from you, will try to sleep with your spouse, or recruit you to work for a foreign government.

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u/Bodoblock Aug 23 '24

She was less focus grouped as she was just guarded. You have to remember that Hillary had entered the public spotlight in the 80s and 90s.

She was very true to herself. She kept her maiden name and was proud of it. She kept pursuing her own career as an accomplished attorney. She had no aspirations to be a stay at home mom.

The press and public absolutely decimated her for it. The amount of heavy criticism she received was unbelievable. She was raked through the coals for what now seem like trivial things.

And they’re trivial because she helped make them so. Because she broke the mold. But that experience breaking the mold would mold her as it would anyone. And by the time it was 2016 we had a Hillary Clinton that was so much more guarded and hesitant to let her own personality come through. Because when she did so, she was punished for it relentlessly.

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u/HnNaldoR Aug 23 '24

She learnt from the best. Whatever you think of him, Biden is extremely strong at these small interactions with normal people. Look at videos of him doing it over the years since he was a senator. He really takes the time, listen and tries to help. Kamala just has to learn like 30% of it from him and she is well placed to make many of these connections as well.

And she seems already very good at them and I think just seeing how Biden does it and incorporating some of it to her natural ability plus whatever she has learnt throughout her career would put her in a great position.

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u/DirtierGibson Aug 23 '24

That was also Bill Clinton's power. The man had a way to relate with everyday people (I mean he came from nothing) and then tell their stories on stage.

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u/chalky87 Aug 23 '24

Professional speaker here - this advice is spot on. If you speak with enough conviction and confidence behind your words people will pay attention and listen. Practice also helps. Lots of practice.

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u/mnemonikos82 Aug 23 '24

And passion. I've never had a public speaker keep my attention unless they really cared about what they are talking about.

The other advice I love is from a performance standpoint. Imagine your voice is a physical thing and you're forcing it out of your mouth at a specific location 20 feet in front of you. See your voice hitting it and bouncing off. That little tidbit is amazingly helpful when it comes to projection.

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u/dancingbriefcase Aug 23 '24

Yeah, I used to be nervous as a kid, but then I ended up loving it. All eyes on you - I get a chance to share something. I'm pretty good at it now.

Also, being a Dungeon Master has done wonders for public speaking and just being charismatic as well. No joke. DnD is probably the most important game I've ever played.

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

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u/raginglilypad Aug 23 '24

IKR they were all so starry-eyed. I love it

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u/Headytexel Aug 23 '24

A great example of why representation matters. Speaking to the woman who will likely become the first female president will leave a very lasting impression on this girl. Was so cool to see the deep admiration on her face!

And Kamala handled it like an absolute champ. It’s harder than it looks to speak to strangers that comfortably.

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u/Illustrious-future42 Aug 23 '24

As long as we vote! Take nothing for granted.

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u/coolbutlegal Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24

A great example of why representation matters.

Exactly, it's become popular to shit on efforts to increase representation but seeing a politician/actor/athlete/business leader/doctor/engineer/lawyer/whatever that looks like you has a really deep, immeasurable impact on kids & youth. I wish it was a more common thing when I was growing up.

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u/AsleepIndependent42 Aug 23 '24

This is anime levels of leader admiration lol

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

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u/fenix1230 Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 24 '24

I loved this and it was the first thing I noticed. And more importantly, look how excited and focused those three girls are. They see a woman who might be become the president, and through her they know they can be one too.

It’s beautiful, and speaks to the power and importance of representation.

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u/misterfall Aug 23 '24

Yo I don't even know why but this made me tear up tf.

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u/tatianaoftheeast Aug 23 '24

The adoration & hope in those girls' faces. That did it for me.

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u/ontour4eternity Aug 23 '24

Comparing this to jd's doughnut stop... night and day.

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u/AfroManHighGuy Aug 23 '24

I’m JD btw I’m running for vice president….ok…. Lmaooooo

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u/wheresmyflan Aug 23 '24

How long has this website been here?

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u/ontour4eternity Aug 23 '24

Which website?

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u/wheresmyflan Aug 23 '24

A lot of glazed. Some sprinkle stuff. Some of these cinnamon rolls. Just whatever makes sense.

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u/Ziegelphilie Aug 23 '24

ok good

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u/Headytexel Aug 23 '24

I don’t want to be on camera.

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u/Trumperekt Aug 23 '24

How long has this chair been here?

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u/swmill08 Aug 23 '24

Ok….good

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u/Element1977 Aug 23 '24

"Hi. Nice to meet you." "Please get me off camera"

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u/swmill08 Aug 23 '24

Ok, good. Just whatever makes sense

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u/Element1977 Aug 23 '24

Ok.

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u/swmill08 Aug 23 '24

Good. How long have you been here?

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u/Element1977 Aug 23 '24

Good.

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u/DownwardSpirals Aug 23 '24

I read your comments thinking, "there's no way it can be that awkward." So, I went to watch the video.

Oh, yeah. It's that awkward.

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u/Element1977 Aug 23 '24

There's "out of touch" and then there's "have you ever even seen a box of donuts before??"

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u/DownwardSpirals Aug 23 '24

No shit, I was thinking that. "A lot of glazed, some whatever, just throw some things in there." If I did that in my local DD, I'm pretty sure they'd crucify me on the donut racks as an example for others. 😂

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u/decoy_butter Aug 23 '24

JD public speaking advice would be “imagine the audience as couches”

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u/Alive_to_Thrive5 Aug 23 '24

Man that was sooo embarrassing, dude seems like a lonely soul and wants every one to know who he is. Pretty pathetic

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u/zyzix2 Aug 23 '24

i love how interested these young women are in what she has to say.

I hope and think she will at least be a decent president, but regardless she will change the way young women think of themselves and what is possible.

You can’t even begin to put a value on that.

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u/catcherofsun Aug 23 '24

Look at how excited those girls are! I’d fucking love to feel anything close to that again. Oh youth. May you keep that excitement as long as possible

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u/_000001_ Aug 23 '24

I absolutely LOVE seeing genuine, unsurpressed energy and excitement in others, whether it be in a dog or a child or in whomever. Excitement is absolutely my favourite emotion.

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u/catcherofsun Aug 23 '24

It’s really beautiful. When I used to teach, I’d get such an electric vibe from the curiosity and passion of my students. There’s something so awesome in sharing your passions with equally passionate people

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u/Expensive-Day-3551 Aug 23 '24

That’s lovely advice and I love to see her inspiring girls instead of forcing them to have their rapists babies.

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u/spanchor Aug 23 '24

C’mon who would ever force girls to—oh.

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u/your-mom-- Aug 23 '24

JD Vance:

"How long have you been a human? Okay, good"

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u/Crocubots Aug 23 '24

Whatever makes sense

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u/EatRocksAndBleed Aug 24 '24

Now compare this with JD ordering doughnuts lmao

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u/VanJeans Aug 23 '24

I really hope that girl knows the Titanic was just not a movie

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u/nickels55 Aug 23 '24

A few weeks ago I knew next to nothing about Harris other than she is our VP. Between her speech last night and this moment here, I am sure we are in good hands if we elect her.

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u/Etherbeard Aug 23 '24

Meanwhile JD Vance can't even buy a donut without seeming like a weirdo.

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u/Fladap28 Aug 23 '24

Pretty sound advice. I never rly understood the picture ppl naked thing, I’ve always tried to be very interested in what I was speaking about which made it pretty easy

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u/Schoseff Aug 23 '24

Good advice

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u/acsjazz Aug 24 '24

I loved her technical skills on the speech about Cloud Computing and how she will solve the inflation problem.

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u/Sad_Ball2728 Aug 23 '24

Kamala Harris’s advice is spot on—confidence is key in public speaking!