Difference between Kerry/ Bush stump speech

[jjskribs]

Political junkie that I am I have been watching CNN for the past several hours as they cover both Bush and Kerry on the campaign trail. Kerry holds the microphone in his hand and walks back and forth on the stage" talking" to the people. Bush stands behind a podium "reading" a speech. Are his advisors afraid to have him speak without a script? Why can't you come out from behind that podium Mr. President and speak for yourself ???

I can't wait for the debates..........

 

[jrydberg]

Just an observation, but that's generally been the case with incumbents vs. challengers. The incumbent tends to stay behind a podium -- something about appearing "presidential"...

There are exceptions, of course, but by and large it's more a matter of who's in the office vs. who's challenging for the office. The challenger needs to convince people to change, whereas the incumbent needs to convince people he's done a good job. Thus the different approaches, I think.

 

[peachgirl]

Bush stands behind a podium "reading" a speech. Are his advisors afraid to have him speak without a script?

I don't think they're afraid, they just know he can't do it, at least not effectively. Bush is not good at speaking off the cuff and apparently he can't memorize speeches either. He very much needs a written script.

I much prefer listening to a speaker who is talking to me rather than reading to me.

 

[luvmk]

To me, it doesn't matter what style is used as long as the speaker is able to get their point across effectively.



Rachel

 

[Olaf]

He wasn't reading when I saw him yesterday. Loved that "Hollywood" line. Bullseye!

 

[jjskribs]

I guess part of what troubles me luvmk...... is that I'm not quite sure if it is really Bush's point that he is trying to get across. I seem to see two different George Bushes. When he talks "off the cuff" at his farm in Crawford he sounds completely different from the George Bush that "reads" a campaign speech or answers questions at a press conference. He doesn't even use the same vocabulary. I know all these politicians have speech writers but I always get the feeling with Bush that he's just reading someone else's thoughts and words. Maybe it doesn't bother anyone else but it's one reason that I have problems with him.

 

[luvmk]

I can see your point. It seems to me that some people are not good at speaking "off the cuff." Their thoughts and words sometimes don't come out as they intended or they use words that don't best fit the situation. I have listened to his speech that he gave yesterday. I didn't find anything in it that I thought didn't sound like his beliefs. I tend to be cynical of any speech given by a politician during election time. The way I see it, they can tell the public what they want to hear whether it's an off the cuff speech or a written one. Anyway, I hope that President Bush uses the written speeches because he knows that he isn't a good impromptu speech giver rather than wanting to use someone elses thoughts rather than his own.


Rachel

 

[Nancy]

It doesn't matter to me at all. I can't speak off the cuff at all...I get all tongue tied. If I have to make an announcement over the intercom you better have it written for me because I'll screw it up.

 

[swea_pea1]

Originally posted by jrydberg
Just an observation, but that's generally been the case with incumbents vs. challengers. The incumbent tends to stay behind a podium -- something about appearing "presidential"...

Even though I cringe every time Bush speaks, this actually makes a lot of sense. Good point!

 

[jjskribs]

Nancy..... I think many people certainly have trouble talking "off the cuff" as you do ..... however...... wouldn't you expect the President of the United States to have that skill? JMHO....

 

[Nancy]

You would think so, wouldn't you.

But in the whole scheme of things I just don't think it matters all that much. I don't pay that much attention to speaking styles. What they are saying (or not saying) is more important.