Power Play Worksheet
Power Play
Politician Persona & Strategy Lab
Candidate:
Date:
1
The Persona Profile
Full Campaign Name
Party Affiliation & Slogan
Primary Platform (The "One Issue")
Candidate Sketch / Logo
2
The Stanislavski Briefing
Answer the 7 core questions to find the internal truth of your politician persona.
1. Who am I?
Status, background, and values.
2. Where am I?
Physical space and atmosphere.
3. When is it?
Point in history or the election cycle.
4. What do I want? (Objective)
Your specific goal for this scene.
TO:
5. Why do I want it? (Motivation)
The stakes - what happens if you fail?
6. How will I get it? (Tactics)
General approach or psychological plan.
7. What must I overcome? (Obstacle)
The person, event, or internal fear standing in your way.
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3
The Tactic Toolbox Reference
Use this "verb menu" to choose the specific psychological actions your candidate will use during the Town Hall. A tactic is always an active verb directed at the other person.
Offensive
- TO BULLY Intimidate with volume or physical presence.
- TO EXPOSE Force a secret or weakness into the light.
- TO MOCK Make the opponent's idea seem ridiculous.
- TO CORNER Use logic to leave them with no way out.
Charismatic
- TO CHARM Win them over with a smile and warmth.
- TO INSPIRE Paint a picture of a better future.
- TO FLATTER Tell the audience exactly how great they are.
- TO BOND Prove that you are "just like them."
Defensive
- TO DEFLECT Answer a different question entirely.
- TO MINIMIZE Make a major problem sound like a tiny error.
- TO MARTYR Make yourself look like the victim of a "hit job."
- TO STALL Use filler and long sentences to waste time.
Logical
- TO EDUCATE Overwhelm with facts and complex data.
- TO WARN Explain the "catastrophe" if your plan isn't followed.
- TO CLARIFY Restate their argument to make it sound stupid.
- TO REASSURE Calm the fears of the audience with authority.
Custom Tactics Brainstorm
The menu above is just a start. What unique verbs fit your candidate? Think: To Dismiss, To Overpower, To Seduce, To Guilt-trip, etc.
TO:
TO:
TO:
TO:
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4
The Strategy Plan
Based on your briefing and the reference menu, plan your three core tactics. How will you physically and vocally execute these actions?
Action Verb
TO:
From the Toolbox Reference.
Execution Plan
Action Verb
TO:
Execution Plan
Action Verb
TO:
Execution Plan
Remember Stanislavski's "Magic If": Do not try to act like a politician you've seen on TV. Ask yourself: "How would I act IF I were this candidate in this specific crisis?"
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