Obama should take lessons in public speaking from President Bush

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The only news Barack Obama made in his first post-election press conference was when, in a classless moment, he falsely ridiculed Nancy Reagan for holding "seances" in the White House. He was then compelled to call her to apologize for what he termed his "careless remark."

It appears that Obama may have been careless again yesterday, with international consequences. He spoke with the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, on the telephone. Afterward, Kaczynski wrote that Obama "said that the missile-defense project would continue." The Obama camp then released a statement to the effect that Obama had said no such thing: "President Kaczynski raised missile defense but President-elect Obama made no commitment on it."

It's possible that President Kaczynski deliberately misquoted Obama, but that seems highly unlikely. It's much more probable that Obama indulged in his usual ambiguity, failed to choose his words carefully, and thereby conveyed a misleading impression.

Obama thinks he is a good talker, but he is often undisciplined when he speaks. He needs to understand that as President, his words will be scrutinized and will have impact whether he intends it or not. In this regard, President Bush is an excellent model; Obama should take a lesson from his example. Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly. He chooses his words with care and precision, which is why his style sometimes seems halting. In the eight years he has been President, it is remarkable how few gaffes or verbal blunders he has committed. If Obama doesn't raise his standards, he will exceed Bush's total before he is inaugurated.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2008/11/022038.php

[rebeccajo 14]

[Ban Hammer 14,585]

picking on nancy isn't wise.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly. He chooses his words with care and precision,...

:rofl: :rofl:

I want some of whatever the guy who authored this piece is smoking.

[rebeccajo 14]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The only news Barack Obama made in his first post-election press conference was when, in a classless moment, he falsely ridiculed Nancy Reagan for holding "seances" in the White House. He was then compelled to call her to apologize for what he termed his "careless remark."

It appears that Obama may have been careless again yesterday, with international consequences. He spoke with the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, on the telephone. Afterward, Kaczynski wrote that Obama "said that the missile-defense project would continue." The Obama camp then released a statement to the effect that Obama had said no such thing: "President Kaczynski raised missile defense but President-elect Obama made no commitment on it."

It's possible that President Kaczynski deliberately misquoted Obama, but that seems highly unlikely. It's much more probable that Obama indulged in his usual ambiguity, failed to choose his words carefully, and thereby conveyed a misleading impression.

Obama thinks he is a good talker, but he is often undisciplined when he speaks. He needs to understand that as President, his words will be scrutinized and will have impact whether he intends it or not. In this regard, President Bush is an excellent model; Obama should take a lesson from his example. Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly. He chooses his words with care and precision, which is why his style sometimes seems halting. In the eight years he has been President, it is remarkable how few gaffes or verbal blunders he has committed. If Obama doesn't raise his standards, he will exceed Bush's total before he is inaugurated.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2008/11/022038.php

Did Obama really call Nancy Reagan and apologize?

Edited November 12, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[Teacher Mark 53]

Did Obama really call Nancy Reagan and apologize?

Yes. Rumor has it she broke her hip again getting up to answer the phone.

And the hits just keep on coming!

Edited November 12, 2008 by Joe Six-Pack

[Ling Ling 22]

Yes...he really did call Mrs. Reagan to apologize.

His comment really was tasteless and careless.

I can't say there's any excuse for it....and won't try to make one for him.

Maybe it's the kind of sobering reality some people need.

He is not perfect.

That said, I don't believe his comment warrants speculation on his phone conversation with Poland.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Yes...he really did call Mrs. Reagan to apologize.

His comment really was tasteless and careless.

I can't say there's any excuse for it....and won't try to make one for him.

Maybe it's the kind of sobering reality some people need.

He is not perfect.

That said, I don't believe his comment warrants speculation on his phone conversation with Poland.

Yes it was an off handed comment, but she's the one who was consulting Astrologists while she lived there.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Did Obama really call Nancy Reagan and apologize?

Yes. Rumor has it she broke her hip again getting up to answer the phone.

And the hits just keep on coming!

just wrong....

[Ling Ling 22]

Yes...he really did call Mrs. Reagan to apologize.

His comment really was tasteless and careless.

I can't say there's any excuse for it....and won't try to make one for him.

Maybe it's the kind of sobering reality some people need.

He is not perfect.

That said, I don't believe his comment warrants speculation on his phone conversation with Poland.

Yes it was an off handed comment, but she's the one who was consulting Astrologists while she lived there.

True...there were even stories of Hillary Clinton (and many other 1st ladies) consulting astrologists and psychics.

I could see that comment coming from a senator, congressman, or journalist, but I think we have to hold

the President to a higher level of responsibility. Then again...he's still putting the shoes on. He's only the President-Elect.

There's only one President at a time...and the current one has had his share of poorly chosen comments..

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Talking about Nancy Reagan was a mistake because Ronald Reagan was God.

You can talk as much smack about Hillary (another ex-first lady, lest people forget) as you want, it's all good; after all, her husband wasn't God, just an aging hippie who likes cigars and fat chicks.

[I'm Gone 60]

Talking about Nancy Reagan was a mistake because Ronald Reagan was God.

You can talk as much smack about Hillary (another ex-first lady, lest people forget) as you want, it's all good; after all, her husband wasn't God, just an aging hippie who likes cigars and fat chicks.

Plus the stories about the Reagans came from the Kitty Kelly book that was a little loose with the facts and truth.

[S and S 12]

I stopped watching Bush's speeches early on in his presidency. Way too many pauses, it drove me crazy, and there was just too much dryness and not much energy. I would rather Obama not take on those characteristics.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I stopped watching Bush's speeches early on in his presidency. Way too many pauses, it drove me crazy, and there was just too much dryness and not much energy. I would rather Obama not take on those characteristics.

I don't know. I'd rather see him exercise message discipline now that he is no longer running for office. If that means dryness and a cessation of the rhetorical flourishes, so be it.