My gawd! I WISH Obama would learn how to speak!

[Lauri]

scarletwoman 
My gawd! I WISH Obama would learn how to speak!
   
Just caught a clip of him on the Jim Lehrer News Hour, talking about what a completely bad idea the "gas tax holiday" thing -- making arguments that I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH, btw -- and it drove me ****ing nuts.

He was terrible getting at his message across -- stumbling, stuttering, "uuum"-ing, pausing. Come ON! If you believe what you're saying, you sing it out! It was so frustrating to watch!

It was like he had only just NOW caught onto the thought that making a contrary argument might be a good idea.

The night Obama appeared on Jay Leno in 2006 (His very first appearance on Leno, shortly before he officially announced his candidacy for president), I purposely stayed up late to watch it. (Watching Leno being something I had long studiously avoided.)

What struck me most was how easily and smoothly his speech flowed out when he was answering Leno's queries about his book and his life. As long as Obama was talking about himself, there were no "um"s, no "uh"s, no long pauses. He was talking about something that really mattered to him.

And whenever Jay steered the conversation into matters of policies and political philosophy, the stutters and stammers and "uh"s came back.

I was NOT impressed, and I posted about it several times back when it occurred. Obama loves himself more than you and me. I don't care, really. I pretty much assume that only heavy-duty narcissists are going to go through all the shit that running for U.S. president involves, anyway.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5773552


wow.. so, the thrust of their argument is Obama is a 'thinker' and pauses between his words.. but Bush is an idiot.. because.. he pauses between his words? 

[Lauri]

mystieus 
2. Its a good sign that one is giving great thought to their words.

   
   
 

mrone2
16. With the media ready to pounce on his every word he has no choice but to parse every word before uttering it.

   
 

   
 

1776Forever
72. You got it - Who can blame him for that! Anyone that has half a brain should know that!   
   
:thumbsup:

[dutch508]

roguevalley  (1000+ posts)       Thu May-01-08 09:37 PM
Response to Reply #2
61. some people have lived half their lives thinking that presidents talk
 like that twat in the white house. actually having measured words, to insure your remarks are thoughtful and complete is a new thing for some. He knows how to speak. He isn't willing however to just shoot off his mouth. Go, Obama. Give me an educated person any day.

 

Two Americas  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-02-08 12:12 AM
Response to Reply #61
94. very similar, actually
 I have always noticed that when Bush talks about himself, he is much more fluent.

This is a tell tale sign that reveals what a person's true priorities are. When Obama talks about politics, he is more afraid of making a mistake than anything else. picking his words laboriously and hesitatingly. There is no fire there at all and words do not come smoothly. He is afraid that he might say something that will hurt him.

With great leaders who have a clear and selfless vision, the reverse is true. They hem and haw when asked about themselves, but on matters of public interest the words flow naturally and smoothly, and are infused with great passion.

 

scarletwoman  (1000+ posts)      Thu May-01-08 09:25 PM
Response to Reply #23
48. The thing is, I've done public speaking.
 Edited on Thu May-01-08 09:26 PM by scarletwoman
I know what it's like to present a position and bring the audience along with me. I've been a performing artist for a very large part of my life. I know what it takes to win over an audience, to pull them so far into your experience that they lose their own sense of themselves and are pulled along into a current that they never would have experienced otherwise.

Effective political advocacy is no different; you pull people out of themselves. You lure them into an expanded worldview by the power of your convictions.

I still haven't seen anything that leads me to believe that Obama has the power of very many convictions besides his own ambition and self-love.

I've given public speeches, just gave one today, in fact. It's NOT difficult to speak about the things that really matter to you -- not if you've been thinking about them for awhile.

sw

Is the redwhich dating TiT?

Two Americas  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-02-08 12:51 AM
Response to Reply #60
101. those are completely opposite
 Struggling, or making mistakes is one thing. Having the confidence to correct oneself, pause for reflection - those are signs of confidence and strength. Hesitating and being cautious is another thing - fear of making a mistake, fear of losing control.

The contrast between the two is very clear, though superficially they can seem similar, and this reveals what a person is passionate about, what they are willing to give themselves over to. Obama is very fluent and flowing and comfortable talking about himself and his career and campaign. He is very cautious, hesitant and fearful when talking about issues. In this he is not any different than most politicians, so it is not some terrible slam against him. But we should pay attention to this, and not get too carried away with the comparisons to RFK, etc.

Someone who has studied public speaking may err on the side of seeing caution as a good thing. The best speakers don't study it, they speak from the heart and their passion is what is communicated, not their skill.

 :thatsright:Taking a class in junior college does not make one 'studied' at public speaking.

TahitiNut  (1000+ posts)       Thu May-01-08 08:50 PM
Response to Original message
12. He's a silver-tongued orator compared to Chimpy
 I find his delivery to be contemplative, cautious, and pleasant. (It's a bit like I talk when being thoughtful.)

 


 

[USA4ME]

Republicans/conservatives speak and say "Umm" and "Uhh" = idiot

Democrats/liberals speak and say "Umm" and "Uhh" = thoughtful

And then they're stupid enough to believe that when we call them "elitists" it can't possibly apply to them because that word has to do with income level.

Here DUmmies, let me say it in words that even simpleminded fools like you can understand:  You falsely believe you're intelligent, but you're more dumb than a bag of hammers.

.

[jukin]

Republicans/conservatives speak and say "Umm" and "Uhh" = idiot

Democrats/liberals speak and say "Umm" and "Uhh" = thoughtful

And then they're stupid enough to believe that when we call them "elitists" it can't possibly apply to them because that word has to do with income level.

Here DUmmies, let me say it in words that even simpleminded fools like you can understand:  You falsely believe you're intelligent, but you're more dumb than a bag of hammers.

.

HI5 Beat me to it.

My dad sold cars for a living and he always said the easiest people to con or manipulate are those that think they are smart.  The reason the DUmbasses are constantly getting screwed.