I am listening to George Bush right now during the live speech part of tonight's presentation and I can't shake how similar it is to listening to the English lyrics sung by Swedish pop bands like ABBA or Ace of Bass. It is not what he is saying (I don't care much about debating that) but how he says it: slightly disjointed sentences one following another, within each sentence cliché and familiar word groupings. But no flow...so what comes across to me is grip rather than comfort. But when he starts answering questions his accent reappears, the cadance reappears.
Who was the best public speaker you have heard, the best speech written? What would Trudeau be saying - "just watch me". Thatcher would be scary, Old Testament. Ronnie Ray Gun would say "weeeell" too often with that little head shake.
Comments
Arthur - April 13, 2004 10:42 PM
slightly disjointed sentences one following another, within each sentence cliché and familiar word groupings.
There's one good technique that punches holes in argumentations: Repeat the question. After tonight, I can only conclude that the president isn't really answering questions.
Arthur - April 13, 2004 10:45 PM
Who was the best public speaker you have heard, the best speech written
I have always been impressed with Nelson Mandela's speeches.
Alan - April 13, 2004 10:46 PM
I was pretty pleased after I wrote that when the last questioner an hour later (the guy from NPR) asked why his speeches are do dull.
Alan - April 13, 2004 10:46 PM
Quite right on Mandela. The happy voice and the moral foothold.
Robert Paterson - April 14, 2004 7:41 AM
As a boy at school I heard Harold MacMillan who moved most of us cynical folks to tears
Mike - April 14, 2004 8:19 AM
You won't be surprised to hear that I'd say Churchill. What's a speechwriter?? Churchill spent hours and hours drafting his speeches, working out the sounds of the language and honing the delivery, which was often understated relative to the message. There was no such thing as dumbing it down.
Alan - April 14, 2004 8:22 AM
Mike - I understand that the voice we know as Churchill from his war speeches was actually not him. Is that an urban (or perhaps urbane) myth?
Mike - April 14, 2004 4:53 PM
It is an urban(e) myth ~ David Irving claims that actor Norman Shelley performed Churchill's speeches several times during 1940. It's been widely debunked, including by BBC History. There had been a Sept07'42 labeled recording, but it had to do with events in North Africa, however the recording doesn't match with the text of any of Churchill's speeches or writings.
Wayne - April 14, 2004 9:51 PM
``I have a dream...`` still gives me goosebumps.