This year, I believe that both presidential candidates delivered amazing speeches at their party's conventions. They were each effective in different ways at relating to the American electorate. Obama is already renowned as a gifted orator and I believe that the public was shocked to see that Romney could hold his own on stage as well.
In regards to their effectiveness to their individual bases, I would give Romney an A and Obama a B+. Romney's speech was very much geared toward the conservative base. He spoke strongly about the values of hard work and self reliance, often referring to Obama's comment on small business, using phrases like "You did this!". Obama holds a tight grip on left leaning voters and he knows that, therefore he did not need to spend much time persuading his base. I am giving him a B+ because though he didn't need to persuade his base, almost everything he did say reinforced his position as the leader of the Democratic Party.
For effectiveness in relating to the average American voter, I would have to give Obama an A+ and Romney a C. On his own, Romney's speech may have been convincing to the average voter. He obviously made a point to include references to women, immigrants, and the struggling middle class but when compared to Obama's speech, he doesn't stand a chance. I may be opposed to Obama politically, but even I found myself cheering him on during his speech. His speech was clear and concise in plain English. Instead of speaking about his credentials as a candidate, he began his speech by saying that this years vote is a choice between two different paths for America and ended it with the powerful phrase, "I am not just a candidate, I am the President." He also referred to God and the founding fathers, subtly confronting his critics attacks. What I thought was most effective was how he asked the American people to help him with his goals for America, conveying a since of shared responsibility.
For effectiveness in relating to the average American voter, I would have to give Obama an A+ and Romney a C. On his own, Romney's speech may have been convincing to the average voter. He obviously made a point to include references to women, immigrants, and the struggling middle class but when compared to Obama's speech, he doesn't stand a chance. I may be opposed to Obama politically, but even I found myself cheering him on during his speech. His speech was clear and concise in plain English. Instead of speaking about his credentials as a candidate, he began his speech by saying that this years vote is a choice between two different paths for America and ended it with the powerful phrase, "I am not just a candidate, I am the President." He also referred to God and the founding fathers, subtly confronting his critics attacks. What I thought was most effective was how he asked the American people to help him with his goals for America, conveying a since of shared responsibility.
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