After Sarah Palin’s “pit bull” speech and many other harsh words spoken by former Republican presidential candidates on what turned out to be a Wednesday night full of red meat, McCain’s speech last night was less than impressive from a performance standpoint.
In comparison to Obama, who shares the gift of powerful speech with Martin Luther King Jr., McCain’s speeches almost always fall flat. The Washington Post today reports:
“McCain freely acknowledges that oratory is not his greatest talent, and his speech lacked the flourishes and drama of two others delivered during the conventions.”
But what’s a more important quality in a potential president’s speech: the power of his delivery or the power of his message?
While Obama criticizes the Republicans, Palin criticizes Obama and every other speaker finds fault with the other side, McCain is the only one who takes a stand against his own party. During his speech, he said:
“I don't work for a party. I don't work for a special interest. I don't work for myself. I work for you.”
Sure, a lot of vagaries pepper the speeches of both candidates, and McCain could have been more effectively critical of the current administration if he hadn’t tried so hard to avoid mentioning President Bush’s role in the party’s downhill slide. But I respect the wisdom he did show in resisting the temptation to place total blame on the opposing party, as so many others did.
Just for fun, Colbert's opinion of political speeches.
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