Maverick is a word we’ve been hearing a lot of lately. John McCain and Sara Palin have both used this word to describe themselves. Why, then, after the 1st Presidential debate, did a Google blog reveal that they had an increase in people searching for the definition of maverick online?
As a writer and communicator, I see two problems with this. First of all, we’re an educated nation. I’m dismayed that people don’t know what “maverick” means. Just observe John McCain’s actions throughout his political career and the meaning of the word should be crystal clear. Secondly, the McCain camp must stay more aware of how they’re communicating with voters. Do people understand what they’re saying? Literally.
Using plain, simple language that describes “maverick” may hit home with more voters. The Senator and Governor could simply say, for example, “we don’t go with the trends…we have our own opinions and act accordingly…sometimes we buck the system.” People can identify with these words; they can understand them.
This is going to be a close election. Time is short. Patience is short. Crystal clear, concise messages delivered in plain, easy to understand language, is the key to getting their message across.
Mark Twain, a great American treasure, said it best: “To get the right word in the right place is a great achievement…Anybody can have ideas…the difficulty is to express them…”
