Not the scholastic kind, where it comes through the front door and hits you over the head via a teacher, but via a Springsteen concert – in Brooks’s experience.

I can substitute dozens of other second education experiences, mostly stolen from my wife, who specializes in this kind of thing with young people. She calls it social-emotional learning and writes about it at http://adolescentwork.wordpress.com/.

You can find this education on the athletic field, in the art gallery, on stage, Hell – after hours under the stadium bleachers – anywhere but having it jammed down your throat in standardized testing prep sessions.

This kind of learning affects everything in politics and communications. The social emotional types – you know them when you see or hear them – have a leg up on the rest of the field. Think Obama, not Al Gore. Think George Bush (yes, go ahead) not Mitt Romney or John McCain. The ultimates – of course – were Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.

For Vermont political readers, the Democratic primary field for governor is pretty socially-emotionally strong, with Sen. Peter Shumlin a standout. Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie – with perceived weaknesses on policy and public speaking – is actually very strong in this department.

These are people who know who they are. They are people comfortable in social situations. They don’t need scripting by staff. They put a room at ease and can make a meeting sing, or inspire a kid in trouble.