Wednesday, August 23, 2006

By George, I think he got it!

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the Plain.
I'm sure that George Bush doesn't care where in Spain the rain falls, but in Texas he probably knows. And most likely he would be able to tell you with a high degree of communication skill, if he was speaking Texan!

Bush bashing is the fastest growing sport of this millennium. The moment he won the Presidency, every Republican hater and America hater was getting stuck into him.
And he didn't disappoint.
Late show host David Letterman has lived off George Bush's speaking faux pas' from day one. A night does not go by when a George Bush speech is not dissected for the amusement of millions around the world.
But for those who are lucky enough to listen to George talk in an un-televised or unofficial event, the difference is considerable. People are delightfully surprised by what they hear and many have changed their opinion of the man.

A close friend of mine had the opportunity to hear one of these "unofficial" speeches and even spoke to the President personally. I asked him what impression he had of the man, close up. I was surprised how glowing my friend was of the way George Bush spoke. My friend said, in no uncertain terms, ( and his not one to put up with crap speeches ) that George Bush was a brilliant speaker who had a large audience in the palm of his hands.
I said, '"really"?
He said, "yeah, he is a lot different than when he speaks on television".
When he was the Governor of Texas, he never seemed to fluff words or make embarrassing statements.

So it seems the problem is that he can't talk "Washington speak". Clinton was a master of talking in the language of Politics. Kennedy was famous for losing a debate to radio listeners, but won the same debate amongst television viewers.
On the other hand Reagan appeared like a goof when making Presidential speeches, but was a fine talker when speaking naturally.

Maybe Bush should say "What the heck!" and start talking normally.
Sure the sophisticated types might hate him more, but surely he would win a few more hearts being himself? I'm not sure who invented the credo that you have to act like a tight ass newsreader when you speak on television, but I for one would like to see more "real" people than "television" people going around. Do not doubt for one minute that television makes people fake. If anybody thinks that a regular television performer is the same in real life then you should get a grip.

So George. My message to you.
Break the mould!
Be yourself!

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