Winning Edge

Commonwealth Partners

Giving you the tools to lead and influence in the policy arena.

  1. 18H AGO

    #70 One-minute Reps

    The Wax Museum Lesson: Fourth graders memorized 90-second speeches about historical figuresKids rushed, focused on exact wording rather than audienceSounded like recordings, not natural communicationSimilar to how many adults approach public speakingThe Problem with Traditional Advice: Memorizing scripts makes speeches sound roboticMost real speaking happens off the cuff: town halls, Q&A, conversationsNeed to speak naturally from bullet points, not scriptsFour Key Principles: 1. Stop Thinking of Speech as "Right Words" Confidence, tone, and clarity matter as much as wordsKnow what you're trying to say, not perfect phrasing2. Think of It as a Conversation Best presentations feel like talking with audience, not delivering memorized lines3. Talk to Audience, Not at Them Lead audience somewhere, don't create distancePick friendly faces and explain like you're across a table4. Try the One-Minute Rep Practice first minute without notesPick one thing to improve and run again (4 times, 5 minutes total)Next day: work on next minuteBy end of week: connect sections for full repsMore comfortable than memorizing everythingAction Steps: Treat every speech like a conversationPractice one minute at a time with no notesDon't worry about saying it the same way twiceFocus on finding your most natural deliveryFor more tips on natural speaking techniques, refer to the accompanying one-page PDF. Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    4 min

  2. FEB 18

    #69 Breaking a Wave

    In 1950, two French engineers faced a problem they couldn’t solve the old way. They didn’t have the resources to build bigger seawalls, so instead of trying to stop the wave, they asked how to break it apart. The result was the tetrapod, a simple design that disperses force from any direction. It doesn’t fight the wave head-on. It absorbs and breaks it. Campaigns face storms, too. Negative adsOutside moneySagging turnoutTough interviewsA fight for voter attentionWhen pressure hits, many candidates default to what they are most comfortable with. They knock more doors. They attend more events. They try to outwork the storm in one area. But resilience in a campaign comes from strength across four areas. Build Your Campaign Tetrapod: A clear stump speech that explains why you are running. Learn more with the links to other episodes below#68- The Gas Station Pitch#57 - Say It Until It Sticks#48 - 5-Part Persuasive Speech#31 - The Lego Man Stump SpeechAnswering tough questions with confidence#24 - Answering Tough Questions#25 - Mastering Unscripted AnswersA consistent, disciplined fundraising system#20 - Overcoming Fundraising Fear#66 - Create a Fundraising System, Not a Goal#46 - 10 Call Rule#18 - Start Your Campaign FundraisingShort, memorable stories voters repeat to others#64 - Start a Story People Want to Hear#50 - Tell the Second Story#22 - Creating Your Character StoryYou don’t need to improve all four at once. Just pick one arm this week. Because when the next wave hits, preparation is what breaks its force. Click here for a one-pager handout.  Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    4 min

  3. FEB 4

    #68 The Gas Station Pitch

    Every candidate needs a short gas station pitch: the 60–90 second version of why you’re running. It’s the answer you give at a gas station, a coffee shop, or the church lobby when someone asks, “So why are you running?” The challenge is there’s not much time. Do you talk about issues? Yourself? Them? Do you ask a question? Here’s a simple formula that keeps your pitch friendly and conversational. The Gas Station Pitch Say your name and the office you’re running for.Name one problem you’re running to fix.Ask an open-ended question.For example: “Hi, I’m John Smith, running for State Representative. I’m running to fix the roads here, they’ve become a real problem the last couple of years. What’s the one issue you’d like to see fixed at the Capitol?” The goal here is to be remembered. Most people make a quick gut decision about whether they like you. Being friendly helps, but it’s not enough. When they talk about you later, they don’t want to say, “I just liked him.” They want to say: “He seemed nice and I liked what he said about fixing the roads.” By naming one specific problem you want to fix, you give people a reason for why they liked you. The pitch worked if someone remembers you an hour later. If they can’t finish the sentence, “He’s the candidate who wants to fix ___” your pitch isn’t ready. As you’re running for office, spend time on your Gas Station Pitch. Pick one issue with broad appeal. Practice saying it clearly, and end with a question. Checkout our one page PDF  Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    3 min

  4. JAN 21

    #67 Workout Your Stump Speech

    After ending Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld threw out his old material and rebuilt a stand-up act from scratch. In the documentary Comedian, you see even a legend bomb, forget punchlines, and get heckled—then keep going. That’s the lesson for candidates: speeches don’t get good by thinking. They get good by reps. Your stump speech needs a gym. Over the next few months, every event—Lincoln Day dinners, Rotary clubs, community meetings—is a chance to test what works. The Hand Approach (from Winning Edge #48) Hook – Story, statistic, or questionHold – 3 things, 2 contrasts, or 1 big ideaHurdle – Address the objection people won’t say out loudHandoff – Clear call to actionWhat to practice Hook: why you’re running, character stories, questions, statsHold: 3 priorities, 2 reasons, 1 defining issueHurdle: name and answer the concern in their headHandoff: sign up, give, volunteerTreat every speaking opportunity as an experiment. Keep what lands. Cut what doesn’t. By spring, you’ll have a clear, tested stump speech that works. Check out our free one page [Free PDF Here] Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    4 min

  5. JAN 7

    #66 Create a Fundraising System, Not a Goal

    Most candidates don’t fail at fundraising because they can’t do it. They fail because they never get started. In this episode, we break down why systems beat goals when it comes to raising money—and how a small, repeatable fundraising system compounds fast over a campaign cycle. Key takeaways: Why 50–100 focused fundraising hours is usually enough to winThe hidden flaw in “goal-first” fundraising plansHow a systems-first approach removes friction and procrastinationTwo simple fundraising systems that work:Time-based: 1–2 hours per week (or per day for statewide races)Activity-based: 10 calls per week (or 20 calls per day)How systems shift your identity—from “someone who needs to fundraise” to a good fundraiserRelated episodes: The 10-Call Rule – Winning Edge #464 Steps to Start Your Fundraising – Winning Edge #18Download the one-page summary: [PDF Link Here] Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    4 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    #65 The Middle of a Good Story

    Most people know how to start a story. But few know how to keep people listening once they’re in it.  In this episode, we break down what actually makes the middle of a story work, using a Nate Bargatze clip (played in the episode) as the case study. Key ideas: Why great storytellers rely heavily on dialogueHow two or three details can paint an entire sceneWhy stories move through action and reaction, not timelinesThe difference between a story and a Wikipedia entryHow cause-and-effect keeps listeners engagedA simple framework to use immediately: Open strongAdd dialogueAdd a few detailsShow action then reactionGood stories are never great the first time. You need to test it, revise it, and tell it again. [Free PDF Here for Making a Story Using the Tools Discussed Here] Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    4 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    #64 How to Start a Story People Want to Hear

    The hardest part of storytelling is knowing where to begin.Most people start with way too much setup… or none at all.Use one simple formula to fix it:“So…” + Specific Time + Person + Action + Place + Goal/TensionWhy it works: your listener instantly knows what’s happening and why it matters.A good opening line buys you attention for the next 90 seconds.Keep stories tight: 90–120 seconds is enough to land a point.Script your first line, test it, tweak it, and use it everywhere.Download the one-page summary: [PDF Link Here] Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    4 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    #63 Focus on What We Control

    Summary Over the last 25 years, American politics has swung back and forth like a pendulum—every “permanent majority” has proven temporary. From Bush’s “thumpin’” in 2006 to Trump’s return in 2024, one truth stands out: no single win defines the next one. This episode is a reminder to focus on what we can control. Key Points 2000: Florida recount and a divided nation.2004: Talk of a “permanent Republican majority.”2006–2008: Democrats surge back under Bush and Obama.2010–2024: Power ping-pongs between parties nearly every cycle.Lesson: Politics never stays still, and neither should your campaign strategy.Takeaway The best strategy isn’t predicting the future, it’s preparing for it. You control how many fundraising calls you make.You control how well you prepare and practice. You control how deeply you connect.Quote of the Week “Work with what you have control of and you’ll have your hands full.” — Admiral James StockdaleSource: Stockdale, Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus’s Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays Book 6), pp. 7–8. Listen or download the one-page summary: [PDF Link] Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion. For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

    3 min
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Giving you the tools to lead and influence in the policy arena.

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  • Creator
    Commonwealth Partners
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2026 Winning Edge
  • Show Website
    Winning Edge