Democratic Debates Live
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- flavorful0
On a serious note, I noticed this as well. Obama (like other great speakers, Robert Kennedy as the main inspiration for this technique) makes a point to leave time between the question, or when the other person is done talking to provide distinction between the two. You notice silence, it actually draws you in during a dialog, or debate. It shows that you are thinking of your response as opposed to jumping in like a robot giving the answer you were conjuring up just waiting for the other person to stop moving their lips. I use this technique in the right situations, it's a powerful tool when used correctly. You don't wait so long that people think you're gathering flowers for Algernon, but you don't answer so quickly that it looks like you don't take the question seriously.
This of course only lends itself to the start of answering the question of course, and not the pauses he had while continuing to formulate his thoughts while speaking. That did kind of irk me, but I was really glad he wasn't using "uh" so much. It's such a horrendous verbal disease in America, haha.
Though since I am for Obama (and like a lame-o am actually wearing an Obama shirt, hahaha), I of course looked past the pauses thinking to myself, "Well, he is just making sure he is choosing the right words and I'm glad he is making a point not to stick his foot in his mouth accidentally on some of these topics."
That's enabling.
But I still stand by it. The pauses were immensely overshadowed by what he said, and on most topics his responses were very fluid and more importantly candid ... well actually more importantly what this country needs.
- This can work while talking as well, to emphasize points - letting your audience know you want that to stick with them.flavorful
- I wanted to clear up my second paragraph.flavorful
- Great commentary Lou Dobbs aka Flavorful...utopian
- Did you just call me a fucking asshole who should die a slow and painful death, haha?flavorful
- flavorful0
Rand, I was so happy to see the pot shots not get called out. I was kind of worried, but you're right. She knows it.
April 22nd is just going to be us high fiving other people at the polls with only Obama on the ballot. :D
- lifeinbinary0
so obama's the next president then?
- TheBlueOne0
How was the last half hour or so? I had to leave to go out to dinner...
And yeah, Obama's pauses are a tad annoying, but I appreciate that he's forumlating his thoughts...he's got a lot of rhetoric floating around in that head...
From what I saw I'd say he won the debate. The only time Hillary came across as engaging was on the healthcare issue. Although both had solid policy answers on it, it was the only answer where she really came alive..everythign else seemed like talking points to me form her. He came across as far more thoughtful and fully formed on the issues across the board...
- ukit0
It ended with a strong answer from Hillary on the last question, but it was also a weird moment because it really sounded like she knew she had lost. She also said something like "No matter what else happens, I am really proud to be standing on the same stage as Barack Obama," which was weird because it was really the first time she gave him some props. Almost like she was saying, OK, I admit it this guy is the next political phenomenon, I tried to beat him but I couldn't.
- sea_sea0
fuck it.. go hillary!
- Randd0
"And then maybe out of carelessness or amnesia, Clinton went a beat too far. Turning to Obama, she said, “Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine ... I just hope that we’ll be able to say the same thing about the American people, and that’s what this election should be about.” It was a lovely sentiment, one that would make any presidential debater proud. The only problem was — as the Obama campaign gleefully pointed out in a press release shortly thereafter — that John Edwards had used almost the identical words in a mid-December debate."
- flashbender0
OH, c'mon now... why should they have to screen for weapons at a rally? Why would someone bring a weapon there, I mean, that'd be like bringing a weapon into a church, or a school. Who would do that?