Sun 18 Jan 2009
Why do some Americans seem to want to elect a motivational speaker into the White House?
Posted by echan76 under Elections
Ohio_Voter asked:
Obama is a great motivational speaker with NO pre-campaign leadership accomplishments and alot of Democrats actually want him in the White House.
Obama is a great motivational speaker with NO pre-campaign leadership accomplishments and alot of Democrats actually want him in the White House.
Wouldn’t Obama make a better high school motivational speaker?
His speaking ability with a teleprompter is excellent, while his leadership accomplishments are limited (college newspaper editor, community organizer).
To poster “takfam”: Senator is a voting position, not a leadership position. A lawyer leads a very small team, not a major leadership position.
A good speaker is not always a good leader.
That’s the point of speeches, is to get people to vote for the person.
They’re voting for him because he offers a change from one of the most disastrous presidencies in living memory.
You also forgot his ability to vote present on the tough issues.
Because “some” want free handouts and reparations.
Because after 8 years of Bush, we need it.
He knows his stuff…he’s qualified.
Because they are pathetic little creatures who have been raised to think the government should make all their decisions for them and that they will still get a blue ribbon no matter what. Every one is a winner. (except for our national security and economy).
Obama should do informercials or be on the home shopping network..that he would be good at!
Your only posting this because it has become very clear and evident that McCain cannot speak in public.
he is awkward, nervous, lacks eye contact, drifts off.
He is too old, and too awkward to be meeting with world leaders.
I would rather have someone with a great poker face, then a wandering willie…. politics aside..
A degree in constitutional law from Harvard University qualifies someone to only be a motivational speaker?
Ex Crack heads are motivational speakers…maybe Cindy should go speak at a few high schools
You left Senator and Lawyer off of your list of leadership accomplishments. Hard for you to suggest the best career for the guy when you don’t know, or choose to ignore, some of his resume items.
EDIT: Oh, I’m sorry, I was under the impression that a Senator had a hand in leading the people of his state so that he could carry their thoughts and feelings to the congress. Furthermore I thought that a lawyer was a career which required meticulous organization and critical thought which are both leadership qualities. My mistake.
would you prefer him to bumble and fumble around? are you amongst the persons who attack bush for being a less than eloquent speaker? I think his ability to speak is a good quality… why are you using that against him?
What qualifications do you have to judge someone who has already amounted to more than you ever will, that is the question.
But I have an important question of my own, why is it that McCain supporters feel the need to tear down Obama rather than build up their own candidate?
McCain is still down in the polls - if I were you I’d be out trying to build up my candidate rather than make myself look ignorant by repeating BS you’ve heard on Faux News.
Sort of reminds you of Abraham Lincoln. Not a lot of experience, but intelligent, of good judgment and excellent oratory skills. I would be satisfied with a President who could speak and pronounce and enunciate words at this point in time.
Speaking ability is an outstanding qualification for a president..
In actuality, it is probably the MAIN qualification.. As the president is the representation for the U.S. to the rest of the world.
But Obama lays out all of his policies, and he does it far more than Mccain does.. Mccain completely avoids middle class policy, while sticking to false attacks on Obama..
This choice is very easy… Though, Mccain would be ok, Obama would be great…
BTW - I only say Mccain will be ok, because I believe he’ll back down from his economic policy.. No doubt that his tax cuts are simply pandering, they aren’t realistic at this time..
What was your excuse when Bush got into office?
Americans seem to want a Democrat President.
By your own argument, McCain as a Senator also is no leader…just a voter.
But more to your question, a motivational speaker might actually motivate people to do things.
Think of the Win one for the Gipper Speech.
Think of john Belushi in Animal House.
What actually is leadership? It’s speaking to people and persuading them to follow your ideas.
Kennedy, FDR, Woodrow Wilson, John Adams, and others didn’t have much experience either, and look at all the good things they ended up doing.
Abraham Lincoln’s only experience was in the Illinois legislature before becoming president…..and he was lawyer before that. He did a pretty good job once in office!
Great public speaking skills can be a presidents (or any leaders) greatest tool. It has the power to persuade, it’s useful with foreign matters, and so on.
Sometimes it takes a newcomer to open peoples eyes and have new ways of getting things done. Proof of this can be seen in the history with past U.S. presidents.
I don’t think McCain would be a horrible leader or anything, but he gives people the impression that he would be another “politics as usual” type of leader, and his voting records have typically shown that to be true for the most part.