While campaign slogans often appear to simply be funny, memorable lines, they prove are much more than that. These sort phrases are agonized over by political campaigns because they can define a candidate. Politicians have just one line to succinctly and clearly portray the message of their campaign. With such a wide audience, they have to find one line that can appeal to as many Americans as possible.
Influence is an idea that is vital for podcasts and politicians, but more generally for anyone who holds a platform and is informing others. In both fields, the idea of truth and being specific with language are vital to a podcaster or politician's success.
The words we use and how we use them is the most vital piece of how we communicate with others.
Episode 6 of Making: Obama is titled, Yes We Can. In this episode, the hosts discuss the origins of this iconic campaign slogan of the 44th president. Summarizing it wouldn't do it justice, so I'll include the segment from the episode here:
"He finished the first take and he got to 'yes we can.' And he said, 'Yes we can,' and he said, 'Is that too corny?' My heart is sinking because I was so invested in that. It was optimistic and it was not about him — it was about what we could do together.
He turned to Michelle and he said, '[Michelle], what do you think?' I remember she had her chin in her hand and she just slowly shook her head and said, 'Not corny.'"