Rating the speakers: DNC Day 1

Compiled by Carrie Porter, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 26, 2008 at midnight

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Our panel of experts rates three of Monday’s DNC speakers.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

1. What was the overall message or theme?

*Susan Sterett: He emphasized the importance of policies that are both pro-environment and pro-business. He welcomed delegates to Denver.

*Kurt MacDonald: Hickenlooper focused on the positive theme of “change” to illustrate the promise of the future and the possibilities that exist with a new administration. He also integrated an “introduction to Colorado” as a major element in his speech.

*Matt Murphy: The promise of the West -- using an appropriate metaphor to the ever-stagnant ideology of the our current Old World political system, Hickenlooper spoke of the need for a leader like Obama who embodies the sprit of the Old West; innovation, change and idealism.

2. How was the speech delivered?

*Sterett: He was gracious and warm as always.

*MacDonald: The speech was delivered in a conversational, energetic tone. He displayed good enthusiasm, especially at the beginning and conclusion. During the intermediate segments of the speech, Hickenlooper fell more into the less-vibrant tone of a person actively recalling a prewritten speech. His posture and engagement with the audience through eye contact was very strong. A minimal number of stumbles and misspeaks.

*Murphy: Hickenlooper's delivery was a little less than perfect; it was not the most exciting speech of the night, and he seemed to stutter a bit, faltering under his rich metaphoric prose. His strength was in his seemingly genuine smirk and the tone of authentic love for our beautiful state. Hickenlooper gave a clear, fresh, honest speech with fantastic images of Colorado and passionate response as being the host mayor of the DNC.

3. What was the most memorable moment?

*Sterett: Remember that there were more barn-raisings than shoot-outs in the West.

*MacDonald: Hickenlooper’s exploration of the theme “change” immediately after the speech’s introduction (“In this region that has seen so much, so much change, we gather here to say that we as a country need that change. Change is what happens when we all unite…”) was the most memorable because of the passion inherent in the delivery and the emotive nature of the theme. It also evoked clear imagery that translated the ambiguous notion of “change” into something tangible. Finally, it was the most genuine segment of the speech.

*Murphy: The best moment was Hickenlooper’s personal testimony of the great changes he made in his life, from an oil-seeking geologist, to an unemployed American, to a budding entrepreneur. His testimony made him a relatable and valued source to cite that Obama's mantra of change is the only way to progress. By making his speech personal, Hickenlooper allowed us to identify him as a real person and an individual whom we can relate to. This is something I always tell my students, "personal stories help expose us as fallible, honest, genuine people."

4. Rate the speech 1-4 (4 being the best).

*Sterett: 4

*MacDonald: 3 because of the lowered energy in the intermediate components of the speech and the few slight stumbles that existed in his delivery

*Murphy: 2.5 due to poor articulation and awkward pacing.

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U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

1. What was the overall message or theme?

*Sterett: Obama is a good man who has worked hard for Americans.

*MacDonald: Jackson presented a theme of “One America,” exploring how Obama is the leader who has and will continue to bring the American dream to fruition for all Americans.

*Murphy: In sight of the mountaintop. Citing great battles such as Lexington and Concord and the powerful nonviolent metaphor of Selma, Ala., Jackson clearly spelled out the message of his speech that this moment (Obama’s nomination) is our modern-day American Revolution, that this instant in our history is a birth pang of great Americans who preached unity, hope and freedom. His message was that of an America that rises and falls together, prompting him to proclaim Obama as a man who will fuse the diversity of America into an egalitarian group of people with conviction looking for a positive transformation.

2. How was the speech delivered?

*Sterett: Polished and professional

*MacDonald: Jackson’s speech was sermon-like in its tone and punctuated pronunciation. The highly structured, lecture-like style of his presentation was less like an intimate conversation with his audience and more like a unidirectional address. His body language and movements mirrored the stiffness inherent in his speech’s structure.

*Murphy: Jackson's delivery was powerful, bold, clear and never faltering; his gestures were descriptive and forceful. His ability to channel past public-speaking giants such as his father was to be expected or rather hoped for.

3. What was the most memorable moment of the speech?

*Sterett: His explanation of how hard Obama worked for Americans in Illinois.

*MacDonald: The most memorable moment was the segment where Jackson created a rapid refrain of “I know…,” discussing both the positive promise of America and the challenges that face the country. Specifically, he remarked, “I know his stories of struggle and sacrifice, of fear and division. I know America is still a place where dreams are too often deferred and opportunities too often denied. But here’s what I also know. I know that while America may not be perfect, our union can always be perfected. I know what we can achieve when good people with strong convictions come together around a common purpose. And I know what a great leader can do to help us find common ground.”

*Murphy: The best moment began when Jackson spoke of the union, expressing in an eloquent way that the union is not perfect but can be perfected. This moment came about with an explosion of beautiful vernacular calling for a more united country that is aching to heal wounds from past presidential mistakes and harnessing the incredible power of good people coming together for a common purpose. With this string of potent phrases Jackson paid homage to the Mile High City, proclaiming it to be the place where freedom will ring from the highest point in history.

4. Rate the speech 1-4.

*Sterett: 4

*MacDonald: 2.5

*Murphy: 4 due to his confidence, poise, expression and literary merit

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Michelle Obama

1. What was the overall message or theme?

*Sterett: She introduced her parents and her husband as hard-working. She emphasized hope for working Americans.

*MacDonald: Michelle Obama explored “America’s promise” by using personal and anecdotal stories that typify the experiences of everyday Americans and illustrate the common thread uniting us all.

*Murphy: Hard work and dreams are what America is all about. Michelle Obama jammed her speech with the oldest and most effect rhetoric convention: ethos. With the beginning of her speech solely dedicated to establishing her character as a wife, mother and American dedicated to seeing America as the country that "could be." Her speech touched on the idea that she and her husband are products of great men and women and are now charged with the incredible responsibility of making history pay the dividends of the sacrifice of their/our ancestors.

2. How was the speech delivered?

*Sterett: Great; she spoke with passion and concern, reaching from her family to her daughters to all Americans

*MacDonald: Michelle Obama’s oration was exceptionally impassioned and articulate. Her significant familiarity with her address contributed to a presentation that was expressive and genuine. Her delivery was characterized by fluid variation in tone and pace that effectively led the audience through diverse emotions -- from the exhilaration of achievement to serious moments of introspection. This presentation was dynamic and emotionally rich. While it was difficult to find fault with this speech, Michelle Obama’s gestures were occasionally mechanistic and repetitive, although in many instances they did reinforce the messages inherent in her speech.

*Murphy: Michelle Obama's delivery was weak at first, her stories seemed forced and contrived; it was not until the middle of the speech that she began to find her footing and allowed the words to roll off her tongue. Her stories were awkward at first but at the end of the speech were the most powerful. She succeeded in using the powerful force of ethos and in my opinion was the best speech of the night.

3. What was the most memorable moment of the speech?

*Sterett: She spoke of the tide of history meeting the current of hope, and that hope is why she loves this country.

*MacDonald: Approximately 5 minutes into the oration, Michelle Obama identified values shared by her family and the family of Barack Obama. Specifically, she remarked, “…you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you’re going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t agree with them.” During this segment, her delivery and passion conveyed a sense of universality to these values and made them resonate in the audience’s mind.

*Murphy: The best moment arose when Michelle Obama confessed her love for the country in an adoring manner when she said "this is why I love this country!" making reference to the power of hope and history colliding with the brightness of Barack Obama's future, and that the history and legacy of our great forefathers will be the future of our sons and daughters.

4. Rate the speech 1-4.

*Sterett: 4

*MacDonald: 3.8

*Murphy: 4 due to the level of confidence, the natural delivery, and the use of Aristotle's ancient rhetoric: ethos.

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The panel

* Susan Sterett is a professor of political science and department chairwoman at DU.

* Matt Murphy is the speech and debate coach at Denver East High School.

* Kurt MacDonald is the speech and debate coach at Kent Denver School.

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