This past week has brought us President Obama’s first major post-inaugural address to the nation, Gov. Jindal’s response, as well as a multitude of speeches from the leading luminaries of the American Conservative Movement at CPAC. These highly watched and highly anticipated public addresses really made me think about the importance of being an effective public speaker when deciding upon my candidate for the 2012 primaries.
After watching Obama’s speech, I can to this conclusion: the primary criteria that I will use decide who I will support for the 2012 Republican nomination will be who I believe to me the most effective and eloquent communicator of Conservative ideals–especially as delivered on television.
I am not going to go down with the ship willingly one more time with a candidate who cannot eloquently and persuasively communicate to the American Public why conservative principles will work best at solving the dire problems that face our country.
Fortunately, I believe that all of the Top Tier candidates-Palin, Romney, and Huckabee-have tremendous skills in this respect. So for me, I will be watching their performances closely as time goes by to judge who I feel will be the best choice in this respect for 2012.
Make no mistake people; no matter how badly the economy is doing, or how badly foreign affairs have been mismanaged, the American People will simply no longer place someone at the apex of power unless they can eloquently and persuasively speak to them.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I like your quote of less than an hour ago better Kavon. “This was a really excellent speech. Mitt really is in a class of his own when it comes to effectively communicating conservative ideals.”
February 27th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Then how do you explain Bush Jr.
Okay, a lot of conservatives have pipe dreams of candidates. Huckabee/Palin are non starters. Jindal is years away. Right now that leaves Romney and ?
February 27th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Frankly, it is a very sad sign of the times when that is true but it is. People like Ron Paul for Libertarians, or the Coburns of the world, etc. simply have no way to advance “pure” platforms. Obama got elected because he was anointed by the media and because he can give a real nice yet still meaningless speech. The top three can all inspire the crowds and that is something we will need to fight the “Obamaist Manifesto” and his radical friends.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
But I also like your initial heartfelt quote about Mitt.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
It is his presidency that has made this an absolute necessity.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Well, it was watching that speech that cemented this for me. But that doesn’t mean that Mitt is the only one who is capable of meeting this requirement. For some people, Mitt comes off as too polished. For those folks, he doesn’t really connect with them on a personal level.
Palin gave the best convention speech in history and is without equal on the GOP side in inspiring crowds. But some found her performances in one-on-one interviews as less than ideal.
Huckabee is all about connecting with people personally and is adept at using humor to reinforce his point and bring down his detractors. Although certainly capable, he is not at his best when behind a podium.
So, thankfully, all among our top-tier have this characteristic. I just want to see who performs the best on the trail from this point forward.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Kavon, you seem to be backtracking. I think anyone who watched the speech can see Romney really is in a class by himself. You were exactly right. I think you’re just trying to maintain impartiality because of your position at Race2012. Fine.
Also, Palin’s convention speech was written for her. I didn’t think it was the best ever given, either. Even if it were, she’s not capable of actually writing the kind of speech Romney just gave. Not even close, therefore I don’t put her into the credible category. We need substance AS MUCH as speaking ability.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I agree that all three of them have great strengths as speakers (and some weaknesses). On the second tier (in my rating system), I have seen Sanford in one-on-one interviews and he is great, but I haven’t seen or heard anything about how he is in a larger setting. Pawlenty — I’ve heard god things about him as a communicator, but I know nothing personally.
Jindal has obviously damaged himself in this category, but he has plenty of time to get coaching if he decides he wants to make a run.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
So what? So, has every word that Barack Obama has ever said publicly.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Oh my god — do you have proof of this?!?!?! Such things should not be allowed!
Clap her in irons! Burn her at the stake!
February 27th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Obama brought a teleprompter into a rodeo arena for goshsakes!
February 27th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Kavon, yes Obama and Palin have a lot in common, do they not? Both have cult followings, both were identity picks, neither are qualfied for pres, etc.
It’s pretty clear that Palin could not write a such a speech as Romney’s, she cannot perform in interviews, and does not have substantive thoughts or ideas on the issues. She does not seem to have the initiative to even want to! She relies on her identity alone.
In serious times, we cannot afford to put our party into the hands of someone so superficial and ignorant.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Obviously speech writers have a place in politics. What I think Martha is trying to say is she believes that 1)Palin wouldn’t be credible delivering the speech we just saw, and 2)Palin would not have the wealth of knowledge to be able to come up with the speech we just saw. I liked Palin’s speech but I don’t like a lot of the ridiculously folksy stuff she does. Then again I don’t find Obama to be credible either in a lot of his speeches…
February 27th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Bob – Do you want a POTUS who can think? I do. We need to run a serious candidate in 2012.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Calling Adam Graham:
What is your response to Romney’s speech?
February 27th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
It’s pretty scary Martha that you have the grapes to sit in judgment of a woman that rose from humble beginnings to become a governor or a US State. What on earth have you ever accomplished in your life in comparison that qualifies you to look down your nose in disdain at Sarah Palin?
I mean, I didn’t feel that Barack Obama possessed adequate experience to become President. But he was, in fact, a sitting US Senator. I never had the balls to say some of the demeaning and condescending things that you have said about Sarah. Nor would any person who had any self respect either, frankly.
It is this kind of rhetoric by Mitt’s contingent of insane supporters that totally turn off those of us on the fence.
To be honest Martha, I am not sure that I would ever want to belong to a club that would have someone so snide and arrogant as you for a member.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Further scariness from Martha.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
The mass of voters don’t take CPAC seriously anyway. CPAC USED to be the place where Reagan gave his ‘shiny city on a hill’ speech. Now it’s the place of intolerance where Ann Coulter gave her ‘faggot’ speech. I wouldn’t put too much stock in the speeches given at CPAC.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Unfortunately, that is not quite true.
How Obama Writes His Speeches
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837368,00.html
Analysis: Obama’s Acceptance Speech
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/08/23/DI2008082300772.html
Helping to Write History
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/17/AR2008121703903_pf.html
Obama’s Lincoln moment
Never before has a candidate for national office spoken so frankly about race in America.
By Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times
http://www.profbob.com/A%20National%20Media%20Reactions%20page.htm
Speechwriter Of One
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/speechwriter_of_one.php
February 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
if obama writes his own speeches he’s a plagiarist of that idiot governor from Massachusetts. I would have LOVED to ask Biden why he wasn’t allowed to plagiarize during his first run for president when no one cared when Obama did.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
You’re telling me that he was so strapped for time that he couldn’t even finish his waffles, yet he has time to write is speeches
? Not buying it.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Actually, it’s not that difficult for me to believe he wrote his race speech, in which he shamelessly threw his own white grandmother under the bus. I can’t imagine Favreau or any other speechwriter having such audacity.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Kavon, you mistake me completely. Palin is considering running for POTUS of MY country. (You know, the one that is presently going down the toilet because we chose the wrong guy?) It is my obligation to judge her fitness for office. I’m not running for anything, and I don’t pretend to have more qualifications than Palin, but I do love my country and want the best possible nominee. That doesn’t make me snide or arrogant. When a person runs for office they put themselves up for evaluation.
BTW – Don’t you think it’s a little ironic that you are accusing me of being snide and arrogant in light of your comments to me?
February 27th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Martha,
Are you of the belief that MItt Romney wrote his own speeches?
That’s an essential function of any major campaign. Especially a viable, cash-abundant Presidential campaign.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
D’oh.
Meant to say speechwriters are an essential function…
February 27th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Kavon ROFLHAO…
February 27th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
our president’s brilliant speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5GMmynh4ac
February 27th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Robbie, absolutely. He does write his own speeches. Maybe not all, but I do know that he does, for the most part.
Do you think someone else wrote his speech today? Now that’s funny. What about his speech to House repubs a couple weeks ago? Yes, Romney can talk and chew gum at the same time.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
It’s just not right for you, Knickers, and Matthew to be able continue to dump your horrible comments on Palin and her children unchallenged. You guys top Kos when it comes to your rhetoric half the time.
I just don’t think its fair to all normal Romney supporters to have you three paint them in such a horrible light day in and day out.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
So, in light of the CNN poll and the GOP constellations diagram the other day, are any of the Romney fans warming up to the idea of an early alliance?
Mitt, and to a lesser degree Mike, are in the most ‘need’ to win the nomination in 2012 due to age and the youth of Palin, Jindal, etc. Mitt & Mike ‘making friendly’ could send out a signal to everyone else to stand down.
Martha, no crap sandwiches or ‘satan in a parka’ bombs please;).
February 27th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Does anyone know what mormon cricket control is on McCain’s top 10 pork list?
#6. $1 million for mormon cricket control in Utah – is that the species of cricket or a game played by the brits?
February 27th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
“Both have cult followings, both were identity picks, neither are qualfied for pres, etc.”
You don’t think you and Illinoisguy qualify as a Mittcult?
“One of us… one of us…”
Freaky.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
i digress (31). I didn’t know Mormons had a cricket named after them..
February 27th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
McCain, Montana and Mormon Crickets
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0209/McCain_Montana_and_Mormon_Crickets.html?showall
Northeastern NV gearing up for cricket invasion
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/22/northeastern-nv-gearing-up-for-cricket-invasion/
February 27th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Robbie,
Honestly, I don’t think it is as important that a politician write his/her speeches as it is that they be credible in delivering said speeches. Romney was entirely credible in his speech. I simply can’t imagine Palin being credible giving the type of speech, one with intellectual depth, that Romney gave. I’ll go out on a limb and say most others on here would reluctantly agree. I think Palin has potential in the future but very very few people out there would call her an intellectual heavy weight. Sure she can connect with Joe six-pack but somehow I don’t see that ability helping us reform government or defend our country. I seem to recall a Texas governor connecting with the folksy types and the religious wing of the party but with no one else. How did that go for us?
February 27th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
From what I understand, Palin writes a lot of the speeches she gives in Alaska. She wrote most of her “state of the state” speech, for example.
Romney can talk in complete sentences, but he is an uninspiring speaker. His speech at the RNC was widely considered a flop, just like his campaign.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Kavon, I’ve never said a word about Palin’s children – not one. I don’t dump on Palin, I say what I think from what I’ve seen of her. I evaluate her, just like I do all the other candidates. The desire to protect Palin from criticism at all costs is ridiculous and sexist. She needs to face scrutiny just like all the men running.
And, I don’t speak for anyone but myself. This whole thing about making Romney look bad is without merit.
mac – ? What satan in a parka?
February 27th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I think Kavon’s post highlights the failure of Jindal. His rebuttal to the SOTU was so awful that I wonder whether he has the communication skills to give a great speech on the stump.
Remember, McCain always did pretty well on “Meet the Press” but he couldn’t give a good speech to save his life. Jindal may be the same way.
It’s sad that Jindal’s career is over before it even had a chance to begin.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
36- Flip, did you watch Palin’s state of the state? It was rather pathetic, and obvious that she authored it. She is one who simply must have a speechwriter.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Flip, enough already about Jindal’s speech – it wasn’t that bad. His career is not over, far from it.
Perhaps you should watch Romney’s CPAC speech before you pronounce him as uninspiring.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
speeches are overrated bill clinton almost got booed off the DNC stage in 88. palin soared, then ultimately hurt the ticket.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Really Flip? What are your sources for that understanding of her writing her own speeches?
Give me a link or something. Your credibility with pretty much everyone on here is near zero.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Kavon, I take that back. I have talked about Trig. I disagree with Palin on putting her career first over caring for him. But, I’ve never said a critical word about her children.
Agreed?
February 27th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Martha,
Just a spin on your ‘hell freezes over’ quip the other night.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Illinoisguy, the only credibility problem I have on this site is with the Rom-bots, who have zero credibility themselves.
From Alaska Dispatch:
On Thursday, you will hear Palin in her own words, spokesman Bill McAllister said in an email Wednesday.
“The governor is the author of the speech,” McAllister said. “She has spent much of the past week working on it solo.
“That said, the State of the State always involves collaboration, at least at the outset. The governor received lots of talking points from all of the state agencies as well from her own staff. There were drafting suggestions offered from some veteran speechwriters outside of the administration, on a volunteer basis. After that, though, the speech came to the governors’ office for more fine-tuning before it was turned over to her for what I understand is a fairly substantial rewrite.
“So the bottom line is, it’s her speech.”
February 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
No, actually, you have no credibility with anyone. You bash all four of the front runners. My assumption is that you are a troll, albeit a female one. Are female trolls still trolls or do we have a special name like trollette, trolloin, or some like that?
February 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I like Jindal, and I originally thought he was the best young talent of the party.
But unless he improves his speaking performance dramatically, he is finished. I just don’t think he can teach himself to be charismatic, anymore than Palin can teach herself to be articulate.
Jindal is so young, he can afford to wait 8-12 years before making a run. And that is exactly what he should do.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Illinoisguy, with charming supporters like you and Martha, does Romney need enemies?
February 27th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Kavon’s criteria: “the most effective and eloquent communicator of Conservative ideals–especially as delivered on television.”
I think that is usually who we pick. The problem is getting better conservatives to run in the first place.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I do not know who wrote, Alaska’s state of the State speech, but I for one enjoyed it.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
She has her work cut out for her if the oil prices stay low. They will have a huge deficit this next fiscal year. It will be interesting to see how she handles it.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Romney would kick Barracks can all over in 2012, I wonder if he’ll still wanna try for office then?
February 27th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
That is all fine and well Illinoisguy, but I still liked the speech. Yes, we shall see how the cookie crumble with regards to Alaska’s economy.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Well, yes, you’re right. But actually, Flip’s pretty much the flip side (so to speak) of you and Martha and Knickers and MatthewK. And for much the same reason — she is unable to recognize any good in Mitt Romney, and therefore her endless criticisms of him are ignored, just as y’all are unable to recognize any flaws, and therefore your endless praise has no value.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Way to show off the bias bobby. “y’all”? I’m quite sure the vast majority of Romney supporters are rational and level headed. I seem to recall saying exactly what you said about Flippy, knickers, et al already earlier today. Illinoisguy certainly doesn’t belong in that group.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
If Romney writes his own speeches, why was he trying to hire Peggy Noonan in 2007?
http://www.humanevents.com/rightangle/index.php?id=21547&title=noonan_to_write_for_romney&c=1
February 27th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I use y’all on a regular basis — I find it preferable to an indefinite “you” which can be misinterpreted as either singular or plural, or “you guys” or “youse”. I lived in Texas for a number of years. Strange that you would think it demonstrates a bias.
Illinoisguy is as unbalanced in his viewpoint as Flip and the others, and as incapable of assessing Romney’s strengths and weaknesses. Certainly he is quite pleasant, and does not share Martha’s and Knickers offensive manner.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Hi Martha,
Has our man-with-the-hair denounced eternal polygamy yet?
February 27th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
“Has our man-with-the-hair denounced eternal polygamy yet?”
Oh, geez — just kill me now.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I disagree BobH. I’ve stated many times positive things about other candidates. And, i have stated things I believe Mitt could have done differently. Its difficult for me to fault him mucho on his position, because I am aligned with him nearly perfectly. I’m not going to create some fault I don’t see just to satisfy you.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Illinoisguy is quite fair and says respectful things about the other candidates. Why should he tear down his candidate to make you happy? It is certainly his prerogative, along with many other reasonable folks here, to defend Romney from the vitriol displayed by the likes of Knepper and Flip.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
What Is He Up To?
By Jennifer Rubin
February 27th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I hardly saw any coverage of the CPAC on MSNBC, and when I did, it was all partisan and slammed every speaker. Looks like MSNBC is more like the: http://i42.tinypic.com/2hi3387.jpg (MSDNC)
February 27th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Certainly neither Illinoisguy nor anyone else has any obligation to make me happy. My point, though, was that a person who never criticizes anything about a candidate and who thinks that candidate is right on every issue, has no more credibility on that subject than does a person who constantly criticizes the candidate and who thinks the candidate is wrong about everything.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:28 am
“After watching Obama’s speech, I can to this conclusion: the primary criteria that I will use decide who I will support for the 2012 Republican nomination will be who I believe to me the most effective and eloquent communicator of Conservative ideals–especially as delivered on television.”
I had two criteria for who i was going to support in 08: 1 communication ability 2 competence.
This is why I still support Romney.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:48 am
I came in late on this one but I cannot believe the audacity of some people? How can you claim, without any knowledge, that Palin does not write any of her own speeches but Romney definitely writes most of his speeches…do you listen to yourself? Do you read what you write? It reminds me of that old saying…the person who yells the loudest in the room, has the least to say. You claim to have studied Palin in depthly, yet you display the same old, tired, rhetoric and lies as truths. Isn’t lying and bearing false witness a sin in your religion?
February 28th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Lucky for us Romney has the competence AND the speaking ability.
He has it all. No need to look anywhere else.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
You know, Romney does have competence and speaking ability. Unfortunately he has no personality, or if he does it comes across negatively. I will never vote for Romney. Something about him comes across as disingenuous and phony. Like a used car salesman.
He could be the most genuinely likable man in the world but until he can cancel out image it just isn’t going to happen. I don’t care how many flannel shirts he wears.
Is it rational? Nope, I know that. Can I overcome the feeling? No. Add to that the fact I support gay marriage and abortion rights, he also lost me at his first flip.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Did Romney write his “religion” speech?
February 28th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Casey, it is true that Mr. Romney’s speaking personality is lacking, but he did show personality in this particular speech. Who knows, he may actually be able to develop a personality, especially if he keeps this up.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:09 am
BJWitts, yes.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:09 am
69 – yes, he wrote “Faith in America.”
68 – He never supported gay marriage, he supported anti-housing and workplace discrimination legislation, so he lost you before his abortion flip.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:22 am
#54, I’m certainly not the flip side of Illinoisguy and Martha and that crowd. I am pretty objective about Romney and have said a number of positive things about him. The Rom-bots say NOTHING negative about Romney, it is simply not allowed.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Casey #68: I agree with your assessment of Romney’s biggest problem, though it wouldn’t stop me from supporting him against Obama. The reason it might stop me from supporting him in the primaries is that I think it may make him unelectable — people don’t vote for someone they feel (fairly or not) they can’t trust.
However, Romney has time to work on the problem, and I imagine he hired consultants to help him with it on the day he withdrew last year.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
This whole- slick car salesman mantra against Romney is getting old.
What it is at its heart is that as a nation we have fallen to the point of wanting people like us or who talk like us to be our leaders. We got it with W and we have it with Obama. I would contest that outside of the war in Iraq, W was useless to our conservative ideals. He, and no one else is the reason we got Obama. Obama is the same.
Jefferson said it best when he spoke of a natural aristocracy that would rise in this nation from its common people. People who understand the divinely appointed destiny that is the USA.
People like Newt, Romney, Jindal, Pawlenty are these type of people. But because they actually attempt to educate us and inform us versus just talking like us they are viewed as either “slick” or “uninspiring”. Whereas others who are truly substanceless are viewed as heroes or hailed as the future of our party and nation.
I think that Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Washington, Lincoln, would have a hard time being elected in todays “worship first, evaluate for substance later” political realm
February 28th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
A: Franklin was never president
B: Washington was worshipped
C: Lincoln was only qualified to be president based on his speeches
February 28th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Romney doesn’t have to “be like me”. I didn’t like Bush either, although I liked his dad just fine. But I want someone I feel like I can trust, someone that will put the country ahead of his own ambitions, and I don’t get that with Romney.
I’ve tried to be rational about it, look at it bit by bit to see just what puts me off, but I can’t. I think everyone here has met someone they don’t trust on site. It’s like that.
The thing is, I’m not alone. No one I know likes him, not even the strong GOP branch of my family, and trust me religion isn’t an issue.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
#77, I’ve had the same experience with my friends and family. NONE of them like Romney, there’s something about him that puts people off. He seems to put off women especially, which is odd since he’s such a good looking guy.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Very interesting comments here. Confused why so many of us are fighting amongst ourselves instead of concentrating more against fighting socialism and liberalism.
Reminds me of people who are obsessed about putting down religions more than fighting against drugs, alcohol, and violence in neighborhoods.
I hope we unify as a group in a big hurry, or else 2012 might not turn out the right way, nominee wise.
I like Romney, but Palin, Huckabee, and Jindal would make good presidents by varying degrees. I prefer to look at it this way.
March 1st, 2009 at 12:39 am
#77 & #78
This can be said about all the candidates. I have friends/family who dislike Romney, Huckabee and Palin all for different reasons. What does that mean?
March 1st, 2009 at 1:42 am
80 – It means smooth sailing for Obama in 2012. I don’t know why a significant portion of conservative voters want to make their picks using the same technique liberals use to form policy – what makes them feel good, and not what makes sense.