As someone who speaks publicly on occasion, I try to stick to the one basic rule of speech making.
Don't suck.
Well, 'maverick' McCain broke from the pack the other day, and decided to go in the complete opposite direction. Mercifully, CNN broke into John McCain's snore-fest with a barn burner from the newly proclaimed Democratic nominee.
I have heard some compare the CNN decision to putting a mortally wounded animal out of its misery. Maybe they heard the cries of people watching from both sides to please, make it stop. Whatever the reason, it was a change everyone could believe in.
From McCain's forced smile, to the rapid eye blinking, to the sickly green background, to the repeated denouncement of Obama's hopeful message, his speech was so bad that even the talking heads weren't able to spin it. Except for Stephen Colbert. It seems Stephen was the only news show host able to find a way to make the McCain speech interesting with his 'Green Screen Challenge'. I found one video on YouTube that takes up the challenge and highlights McCain's commitment, as restated in this morning's USA Today, to continue to eschew oratory style for the 'substance' of George Bush's policies. I guess it's always a good idea to go with your strengths, such as they are.
I wouldn't ask anyone to re-watch the massacre, but TPM put together some of the lowlights of Tuesday's McCain speech, and the reaction of the punditry.
Video Credit: Veracifier
Oh, man that was brutal.
Of course, as bad as McCain's speech was, it's certainly not a first. There have been other stunningly dull though not as well publicized flops that contrasted sharply with the merciful rescue of the crowd by the speaker who followed.
John Bowes of BelowBoston captured one recently.
Video Credit: bowes3
