Posted by
Michael Harris on Monday, March 02, 2009 1:32:13 PM
It is an unfortunate truth that liberals propagandize much more adeptly than their conservative counterparts. This truth became painfully evident after President Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress during the Republican response presented by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. President Obama practiced the fine art showmanship on the most grandiose stage in the secular world and presented a socialist plan couched in conservative rhetoric. Governor Jindal, though often recognize by his peers as the smartest man in the room, presented, with little visible enthusiasm, a lackluster speech written as a teacher lecturing grade school students.
First, Republicans must set the stage. The president spoke on a spectacular stage standing before the most powerful men and women in the nation. Governor Jindal stood a solitary figure in the middle of a foyer speaking to a camera and looking the part of a brutally beaten man though he had not yet spoken. The stage was set and the debate over before Jindal opened his mouth. President Obama, despite his ill-conceived ideas, won the rhetorical battle before the Governor’s rebuttal commenced. First, give the Governor a podium; his hands seemed lost throughout his speech. Second, if the rule exists that dictates that the person rebutting a presidential speech must do so without an audience, ignore that rule. Give the man an audience. Even the best orator performs better with live feedback, and the president had a captive audience chomping at the bit of every asinine and contradictory statement.
President Obama’s speechwriters masterfully write intelligent sounding speeches while simultaneously exploiting the ignorance of those who blindly follow a mythological figure. The president woos the public with meaningless rhetoric and flowery flattery, and he hopes that the public will largely ignore his actions until too late.
The contrast between Obama’s and Jindal’s speeches is stark on many levels. The Republican speechwriters routinely assume the stupidity and ignorance of the audience. Unfortunate politicians, such as Governors Jindal, look foolish when they address adults as if speaking to children. Write intelligent speeches. Assume that those listening are smarter than fifth graders. Support principled assertions with concrete, specific and relevant examples. Ronald Reagan treated every speech as an educational opportunity. Conservatives today must do the same.
Republican handlers must also more adequately understand and utilize the strengths and talents of Republican politicians. Governor Jindal’s reputedly rapid intellect seemed lost in the haze of mediocre rhetoric during his rapidly delivered rebuttal. Unleash his mind. If he is the smartest man in the room, unleash him. Let him speak impromptu if it suits him. He would have better served the conservative Republican cause by responding directly to the president’s speech and its obvious contradictions than he did in his unappealing prepared remarks.
Governor Jindal’s half-hearted smile when he concluded his remarks betrayed the knowledge that he had inadequately answered the president’s speech. Republicans asked that Jindal fill a tall order, and he fell well short. Fortunately, he is young. He has the talent, the intellect and the principles neatly packaged in a man of small stature; hopefully, he will learn from recent experience and grow as politician and a man.