Comments on: Speech! Speech! http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:46:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: legion http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/comment-page-1/#comment-13393 legion Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 /?p=5287#comment-13393 Well, technically, you and Josh and John are right - that sort of "fireside chat" thing is _exactly_ the sort of thing that could allow GW to re-connect with the Average Joe and throw contrast on Kerry's roots. I could sit here and make snarky comments all day on whether Bush is physically capable of making addresses like that, but the real rub is that it would provide huge amounts of ammo to the Dems to fire back on. If I were Terry Mac, I would purchase national air time, as quickly as possible after any of these "chats" and Fisk every single point Bush made. It all goes back to the old adage - Keep silent & be thought a fool or open your mouth & remove all doubt. As long as Bush keeps his mouth shut, it's harder for the Dems to attack him. Well, technically, you and Josh and John are right - that sort of "fireside chat" thing is _exactly_ the sort of thing that could allow GW to re-connect with the Average Joe and throw contrast on Kerry's roots.

I could sit here and make snarky comments all day on whether Bush is physically capable of making addresses like that, but the real rub is that it would provide huge amounts of ammo to the Dems to fire back on. If I were Terry Mac, I would purchase national air time, as quickly as possible after any of these "chats" and Fisk every single point Bush made.

It all goes back to the old adage - Keep silent & be thought a fool or open your mouth & remove all doubt. As long as Bush keeps his mouth shut, it's harder for the Dems to attack him.

]]> By: McGehee http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/comment-page-1/#comment-13394 McGehee Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 /?p=5287#comment-13394 Legion, I rather suspect that strategy would prove to be as effective as the Dems' "response" to the SOTU speeches (i.e., not very). Legion, I rather suspect that strategy would prove to be as effective as the Dems' "response" to the SOTU speeches (i.e., not very).

]]> By: Eddie Thomas http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/comment-page-1/#comment-13395 Eddie Thomas Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 /?p=5287#comment-13395 I remember Bill Clinton as being a terrible orator - his speeches always ran long and consisted mainly of petty throwaways to different interest groups. His strength, like W.'s, is with informal speaking. Speaking of Reagan's oratory, about six months ago I saw a replay of a debate between Reagan and Mondale. Reagan was good, but so was Mondale, at least by today's standards. Perhaps this was before poll-testing became so dominant. Anyway, it is amazing how much oratory has declined even in my lifetime. I remember Bill Clinton as being a terrible orator - his speeches always ran long and consisted mainly of petty throwaways to different interest groups. His strength, like W.'s, is with informal speaking.

Speaking of Reagan's oratory, about six months ago I saw a replay of a debate between Reagan and Mondale. Reagan was good, but so was Mondale, at least by today's standards. Perhaps this was before poll-testing became so dominant. Anyway, it is amazing how much oratory has declined even in my lifetime.

]]> By: James Joyner http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/comment-page-1/#comment-13396 James Joyner Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 /?p=5287#comment-13396 I think it's a function of 24/7 news television and talk radio. With everything so over-analyzed, most politicians learn to talk without saying anything. I think it's a function of 24/7 news television and talk radio. With everything so over-analyzed, most politicians learn to talk without saying anything.

]]> By: legion http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/comment-page-1/#comment-13397 legion Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 /?p=5287#comment-13397 McG - When I say 'as soon as possible', I'm actually assuming at least a day or so's lead time. You're right that SOTU responses are pretty worthelss... but since they come on immediately after the prez stops talking, they have to be mostly-written before he ever takes the stage. That greatly limits the ability to de-bunk anything in the SOTU, and turns the response into an extended "oh yeah?". I'm thinking of something a little more researched, substantive, and frankly mature than a simple partisan shot. That's the Dems' biggest threat right now as I see it - misjudging what the voters care about, hitting Bush too hard on the wrong issue, and causing enormous backlash. McG - When I say 'as soon as possible', I'm actually assuming at least a day or so's lead time. You're right that SOTU responses are pretty worthelss... but since they come on immediately after the prez stops talking, they have to be mostly-written before he ever takes the stage. That greatly limits the ability to de-bunk anything in the SOTU, and turns the response into an extended "oh yeah?". I'm thinking of something a little more researched, substantive, and frankly mature than a simple partisan shot. That's the Dems' biggest threat right now as I see it - misjudging what the voters care about, hitting Bush too hard on the wrong issue, and causing enormous backlash.

]]> By: McGehee http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/speech_speech/comment-page-1/#comment-13398 McGehee Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 /?p=5287#comment-13398 You may be right, L, but I really haven't seen evidence that they can do better even with a couple of days to work on it. Ever since 9/11, tin ear, they name is Democrat. --- You may be right, L, but I really haven't seen evidence that they can do better even with a couple of days to work on it. Ever since 9/11, tin ear, they name is Democrat.

---

]]>