Interesting Slate article on Kerry's inability to stick to the script

[dolstein]

I always thought Kerry was long-winded, but the excerpts in this article are almost too painful to read:

http://www.slate.com/id/2108429/

Kerry vs. His Script
Why can't the man read a simple speech?
By Chris Suellentrop

WATERLOO, Iowa—Since the final presidential debate, John Kerry has traveled around the country delivering a series of speeches that his campaign calls his "closing argument." The topics vary, but the theme is always the same, the "Fresh Start for America": Friday in Milwaukee, a "fresh start" for jobs; Monday in Tampa, a "fresh start" for health care; Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a "fresh start" for fiscal responsibility and Social Security. The speeches are supposed to convince Americans of Kerry's fitness for the presidency, but a side effect has been to demonstrate how inept he is at delivering prepared remarks.

The campaign gives reporters the text of each of Kerry's speeches "as prepared for delivery," apparently to show how much Kerry diverges from them. . . .

Kerry proves incapable of reading simple declarative sentences. He inserts dependent clauses and prepositional phrases until every sentence is a watery mess. . . .

. . .

Kerry's Script: Most of all, I will always level with the American people.

Actual Kerry: Most of all, my fellow Americans, I pledge to you that I will always level with the American people, because it's only by leveling and telling the truth that you build the legitimacy and gain the consent of the people who ultimately we are accountable to. I will level with the American people.

Kerry's Script: I will work with Republicans and Democrats on this health care plan, and we will pass it.

Actual Kerry: I will work with Republicans and Democrats across the aisle, openly, not with an ideological, driven, fixed, rigid concept, but much like Franklin Roosevelt said, I don't care whether a good idea is a Republican idea or a Democrat idea. I just care whether or not it's gonna work for Americans and help make our country stronger. And we will pass this bill. I'll tell you a little bit about it in a minute, and I'll tell you why we'll pass it, because it's different from anything we've ever done before, despite what the Republicans want to try to tell you.

. . .

Kerry's Script: And if there was any doubt before, his response to the shortage of flu vaccines put it to rest.

Actual Kerry: Now, if you had any doubts at all about anything that I've just said to you, anybody who's listening can go to johnkerry.com or you can go to other independent sources and you can track down the truth of what I've just said. But if you had any doubts about it at all, his response to the shortage of the flu vaccine ought to put them all to rest.

. . . .

Kerry's Script: Ladies and Gentlemen, here's the Bush Health Care Plan: Don't get a flu shot, don't import less-expensive drugs, don't negotiate for lower prices, and most of all, don't get sick.

Actual Kerry: So, Ladies and Gentlemen, if you had doubts about it at all, here's the Bush Health Care Plan: Don't get a flu shot, don't import less-expensive drugs from Canada, don't negotiate for lower prices on prescription drugs. And don't get sick. Just pray, stand up and hope, wait—whatever. We are all left wondering and hoping. That's it.

[TrogL]

1. I like Kerry's versions better

America is fed up with dummies.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. agreed. to each his own . eom

[dolstein]

4. Nobody ever won an election by overestimating the intelligence . . .

of the American voter.

[flpoljunkie]

9. Me, too. Looking to criticize our candidate...yet again.

[lukasahero]

17. That's what I thought

while I was reading it. The short versions are just words - his versions give the meaning and substance behind the words. "Here's what I believe" and "this is why I believe it". That works much better for me than shrubbies "I believe it and you don't need to know anything else" approach.

[SoCalDemocrat]

2. weakness

It's definitely a weakness for Kerry. I wish he would be more succinct and on message. He's rambling right over the heads of many average Americans.

[fugop]

7. All in the delivery

I've found that Kerry speaking is great to listen to. Reading anyone is not quite the same experience. Does he go on a bit long from time to time? Yep. Doesn't bother me a bit. I like knowing that my guy in this race has too much to say rather than not enough - which seems to be a certain other candidate's problem

[LuminousX]

8. Time and Place

Kerry doesn't seem to realize there is a time and place for this kind of style of speaking. State of the Union addresses are a prime example. That which makes him less-than-perfect as a campaigner, will make him a good president.

[Trahurn]

10. I understood perfectly

I understood Kerry perfectly. I recommend some remedial reading courses if you cant seem to follow what is very clear. You don't want anyone strapped in to a word for word script. Look what it has done to Bush.

[RafterMan]

5. WTF?

Negging on Kerry for his speaking style when the other guy is a talking monkey?

Please.

[requiem99]

6. This is a political weakness, but a character strength.

[Beetwasher]

11. That's Not An "Inability" Or Even A Bad Thing

It's called being spontaneous and intelligent enough to build on an outline instead of reading a script spelled out phonetically like a fucking moron.

Maybe you're happy with an idiot who spouts cliched one liners like a moronic puppet and that's what you look for in a candidate. I like someone who can expand on an idea and speak spontaneously, it's the sign of intelligence and excellent communication skills. Clinton did it all the time. As a matter of fact, Clinton often spoke just off the cuff WITHOUT a script. I expect Kerry is more than capable of that as well. Imagine that.

[Silent3]

12. Actually, I like his ad-libbing

It shows he's got more going on than just a script to recite. Kerry's wording shows both knowledge and passion about the issues as far as I'm concerned.

Let's leave pre-digested soundbites to the Bushies. Maybe Kerry gets himself into an occasional syntactical tangle this way, but Bush gets himself into worse tangles with short, simple declarative sentences that he's already repeated a thousand times.

[popstalin]

13. Something I found interesting spoken by one of his consultants

They guy said there was a discussion about sticking to 3 or 4 points but Kerry always has 20 to 30 in his head. He thinks of all the possibilities of something, kinda like a good chess player, they are always thinking through all the steps that can win them the game.

I'd much rather have a President who can think of all the possibilities and has the ability to see how one may be better than another and admit it. Our current Pres has a one track mind, kinda like a dog playing fetch. Get the ball, get the ball, get the ball. That's Georgie, Get Saddam, Get Saddam, Get Saddam.

[KC21304]

14. I was at the Appleton rally, right after Milwaukee, and

he gave a GREAT speech. We felt he was having a conversation with us and it was great.

[Chiyo-chichi]

15. Ultimately

he should do what he is most comfortable with. He is making every point in the scripted speech -- but in a way that better fits his conversational style.

Perhaps the speechwriters need to do a better job of incorporating Kerry's style.

...or maybe they should get one of those wireless transmitter/receivers...

[Rambis]

16. Weak, really weak attack n/t

xxx

[Lex]

18. I like that Kerry can use whole sentences correctly.

It's so refreshing after having Mr. Stupid as president for 4 years.

[progressivebydesign]

19. That is the STUPIDEST FUCKING ARTICLE I"VE EVER SEEN!

Seriously!! So.. Kerry doesn't use fucking CUE CARDS?? He's ACTUALLY able to elaborate on an idea, rather than saying a pre-written line? Is THAT supposed to be BAD??? WTF has happened to AMERICA??? I want our brains back!!

Sheesh. we know measure candidates on how closely they follow a script. HE'S NOT AN ACTOR!!!!!

Why do people post that tripe here?

[sherilocks]

20. The wind blew away JK's script when he

was in Orlando the other day. JK just laughed and said, I don't need it and went on to make an excellent speech.

[stray cat]

21. Serious lack of sleep always messes my speech up too

nt