CAMPAIGN TRAIL SIDELIGHTS: USING THE ART OF PERSUASION

In the past, I have repeatedly corrected my political leaders who kept on isolating people who were perceived to be supporting the other group, excluding them from the political meetings and caucuses which we conducted to discuss important issues.

I kept reminding them that politics is a contest of gaining the greater number of people to believe in your program of governance.

Hence, it is always important to reach out to people from the other side of the political fence hoping that by doing so, you will reduce the number of supporters of your political opponent while at the same time increase yours.

That is the object of the game.

I am never bothered when I see in the crowd of people listening to me wearing indifferent faces. In fact, I would purposely observe them as I go on with my political presentation.

Yesterday, during a small town hall-type gathering in Kidapawan City, I noticed a woman wearing the signature green t-shirt of my political opponent.

She was indifferent at first but as my lecture touched on issues which I felt affected her life, she slowly opened up.

First, it was a smile then later it became a loud laughter.

When I left, the woman in green told me she just wore the T-shirt printed with my political opponent’s name because it was given to her.

Once more, the art of persuasion worked wonders.