Let’s say that you are going to go to the Political Bazaar to buy a rug. There are a number of approaches that you can use to buy that rug.
You go to the Bazaar and pick out your favorite rug in a beautiful blue. You determine that the rug is MARKED at $500. You have $300 in your pocket, and no way to get more money.
Obama’s approach to buying a rug: “I really like that rug. I don’t think that I have ever seen a more beautiful one. I have $300. Since your rug is so beautiful, can we make a deal? I’m not leaving until I get that rug! There is no other that will do.”
For those of you who have ever bought a rug at a bazaar (or a car or anything involving negotiation), you immediately realize that Obama will never get that rug. He has violated several rules for bargaining – you don’t praise the rug, you don’t start where you want to finish, and YOU ALWAYS leave the option of walking away open.
Here’s how an experienced negociator would start: “I see you have a rug. It has no rips or tears, but seems a little dirty. Is it used? I think that the price is way too high for a small, damaged used rug like that. I have $100. I had planned on lunch, but might consider your rug if it was priced better. Can we work together? I’ve got an appointment in 10 minutes; what do you think?”
Obama needs badly someone to explain how to negotiate.
