What you can learn from Newsom/ Hannity

Governor Newsom’s interview with Fox talking head Sean Hannity is full of lessons for those who work with the media. From a policy standpoint, there would be no tougher audience or interviewer, but he is receiving rave reviews for handling this conversation.?

Here are my top takeaways from the conversation.??

Set the terms of the debate.

The Newsom team did a great job negotiating how the interview was done. It was live, so Newsom’s full answers would be heard. (Even though I watched the reply since it was up against the NBA Finals.) Setting it in the Governor’s mansion, not a studio. Finally, the length and importance that was given to the interview. These were all key to the interview's success for Newsom, and all terms agreed to in advance.?

Know your audience and goals

In politics, media outreach supports advancing policy. Governor Newsom is launching an effort in Red States, no better audience for this initiative than Fox. His goals were clear: define a progressive framework based on solutions, not morality.?

You play as you practice?

The Governor was ready with key stats(more about that later) at his command. A well-reasoned defense of the president and clear answers to the questions anyone who is paying attention would know are coming, like immigration and homelessness.?

Numbers are not about numbers.

Even back when I ran his first campaign for Mayor of San Francisco, I was impressed by his ability to carry data around in his head and deploy it when most effective. But the key here is that it doesn’t take an overwhelming amount of data to prove a point. Just one or two figures can illustrate an issue. The numbers are there to show you are an expert.?

Coverage is key

The coverage of an interview like this is more important than the interview itself. An interview like this will get reported on by other outlets, and how that coverage is spun will be how most people perceive it.?

This interview creates buzz and moves policy. It is just one event. The most important thing is, what does Governor Newsom do next? In politics, you always have to be looking forward.