White Gloves Off™
Program Goal: Provide a national, in-depth look at women performances in political debates and develop a training program to improve the performance of female candidates.
Why White Gloves Off is needed
Debates are an integral aspect of any political race and are one of the most crucial tools candidates have to distinguish themselves from the opposition. Debates are one of the few times where female candidates are simultaneously judged on presentation and style, toughness and strength, and message and positioning. And debating skills translate directly to media skills, public speaking, personal interviews and appearances, and a campaign’s willingness to engage away from the debate podium. Women who are better prepared to debate are more likely to be perceived as substantive and strong.
Yet, this communication arena remains a largely unexplored setting for female candidates to pass the test of leadership. Some campaign consultants and managers even advise their female candidates to avoid debates because of the damaging effect they have on their candidacy – and many of them choose not to debate.
Debates are such untested waters that women receive different and even contradictory advice among seasoned professionals—because many times, these professionals simply coach women with the strategies and tools that help men win. Clear, evidence-based research and proven training tools, strategies, and methods specifically targeted toward women and debates are sorely needed. WCF Foundation views this as an important opportunity with enormous potential to help women candidates position themselves for success, and increase their voices in key roles.
Objectives and Strategies: Our goal is to transform debates from ruining a woman’s campaign to a tool for success by measuring the differences in viewer gender perceptions of candidates before, during and after debates, as well as delineate areas, if any, where women differ from men in their debate styles.
We will:
Conduct comprehensive research and dial-group testing
Create a comprehensive training program designed to increase leadership and civic engagement
among women.
The training resources and tools will be available to a broad spectrum of women of all ages from candidates and elected officials to pollsters, campaign managers, and more, both nationally and locally. Also, the resources will be offered to all women, regardless of party affiliation or level of office—from local school board bids to presidential runs. This aggressive outreach will be accomplished, in part, through publishing, press releases and other media promotions, and mutual women’s organizations partnerships.