Comments on: President Obama’s speech on health care

By: admin

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:53:14 +0000

On the contrary, my comments had nothing to do with me agreeing or disagreeing with what President Obama said. Rather, I was speaking about the qualities of the speech as a speech. I think that my comments reflect that clearly. When the President speaks on a major issue of the day, it’s appropriate for the presentation community to comment and analyze.

I’d like to say one more thing. When a presenter presents, it’s the responsibility of members of the audience to speak (let’s say during the Q&A period) about their disagreements in a polite, not an angry manner, no matter what the topic and their opinion. Likewise, if a member of the audience disagrees with the presenter, it’s the responsibility of the presenter (and an important skill) to respond in a courteous, considerate manner, without anger.

By: Misourian

Misourian — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:29:07 +0000

I am quite disturbed that you even put information on Obama’s speech on your site. It has nothing to do with PowerPoint and everything to do with you pushing his socialist agenda. Yes, good American’s are being forced out of their insurance. This is wrong and something needs to be done about it. But, I refuse to pay even one more penny for those who aren’t willing to work and are just living off the system as I currently already do for millions of people. You get people up off their lazy butts and I will be happy to teach them what to do. I came here for those tips – how I can better present what I want to teach – not your socialist commentary.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:09:08 +0000

Judie,
I’m not sure I noticed that. I think I was listening pretty hard to the content. You’ll notice that I gave credit to the speechwriter, whomever he/she may be, at the end, because it was so well-crafted. Of course, I’m sure Pres. Obama controlled what was said…

I think overall that I found his delivery powerful, perhaps because I tend to focus on content. I certainly do notice the left-right movement as he looks at the teleprompters. One thing that’s important to remember is that he’s speaking to real people in the room, not just us at home. So, our point of view is just from a TV camera, but people in the room might feel that he’s looking at them.

Occasionally, even with excellent speakers, I feel that they’re just reciting something they’ve practiced. It’s not easy to bring up the necessary emotion again and again. Actors do it all the time, but speakers can’t always do it.

By: Judie Knoerle

Judie Knoerle — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:08:06 +0000

I read your analysis of President Obama’s speech and while I agree with almost every paragraph in terms of his great transitions, his wording, his eye contact (although I’m finding the left right movement a bit repetitive these days – I know, teleprompters) his structure and captivating elements. I found something he does with his voice so distracting that I couldn’t concentrate on his every word.

Like you, I can hardly listen to a speaker without critiquing. I started getting anxious with his cadence. George Bush used to do this to a greater degree. He bunches his words into three or four clusters and then almost inevitably ends on a down tone. It starts to feel like you’re climbing a mountain with him then coming down the other side on every sentence.

I’ve always said in my seminars that you must concentrate on being interesting; wording, gestures, and voice patterns. Otherwise, the audience tunes out. Have you noticed this trait during Obama’s speeches?

By: admin

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:47:58 +0000

Trainerdave,
That’s an interesting point. I guess my point of view is that nothing was missing and no elements caused it to fail. I think that many people who disagree with him would not be swayed by any speech. In fact, research shows that people listen to what they agree with, and many people who are against his health care proposal probably didn’t listen.

In a smaller, more interactive environment, it is possible to change people’s opinions, but it’s much harder when you’re speaking to millions, not in person, and without interaction. But the experience that members of Congress had with the town hall meetings shows that even then, it’s hard to change people’s minds when they feel strongly about an issue. Unfortunately, people in the U.S. are polarized on this issue.

What would you suggest?

By: trainerdave

trainerdave — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:50:45 +0000

Indeed it has all the elements Ellen lists; nonetheless, it didn’t sell his package to the nonbelievers. Days later polls showed no persistent change in opinion on healthcare (“health insurance”) reform.

A valuable followup article might be an analysis of what elements were missing from this speech, or what elements within it caused it to fail to move the needle on mass opinion.

By: Sander Reijn | de Presentatie Architect

Sander Reijn | de Presentatie Architect — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:09:16 +0000

Ellen, thank you for sharing this.

By: Judith Kingsbury

Judith Kingsbury — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:37:57 +0000

Ellen, this is an amazing analysis of Obama’s speech! It should be part of college curriculums everywhere! You are BRILLIANT!

By: Public Speaking Tips [2009-09-12]

Public Speaking Tips [2009-09-12] — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:34:44 +0000

[...] Finkelstein analyzes Barack Obama’s speech on health care. This speech is also a good reminder of the importance [...]