Top convention speaker - DNC top ten convention speakers, The Democratic National Committee Convention that concluded last week featured a host of speakers. Ten presenters stood out for the effectiveness of their message and delivery. Those ten are listed below in reverse order.
10. Elizabeth Warren – The Senate candidate from Massachusetts is a favorite of those who believe that the financial system is rigged against the average person. She is not a true politician and it showed. Her delivery was at time pedestrian. Unlike Mrs. Obama, she looked like she was reading a prepared text. She is in this top ten because, unlike many other speakers, she spoke from a place of commitment. Warren fully believes what she said. Her passion made her amateurism all the more compelling and landed her in this top ten list.
9. Martin O’Malley – Compared to the speakers listed above, the Maryland Governor was a more subdued presenter. His demeanor, language, and delivery were, nevertheless, professional. From the standpoint of a more traditional politician, O’Malley was a strong speaker.
8. Deval Patrick – Massachusetts Governor Patrick was one of the few speakers to talk directly about Mitt Romney’s tenure as Governor of Massachusetts. He could do so because he followed Romney into the governor’s chair. His presentation had a hint of the fire and brimstone present in Congressman Cleaver’s speech, but without the preacher tint.
7. Julian Castro – The mayor of San Antonio, told a compelling and moving personal story. He, perhaps reflecting the DNC controversy about the lack of a reference to God in the party platform, talked about his grandmother praying for his safety as he headed off to school. He also spoke in Spanish to potential Hispanic voters. Later, it was revealed that he does not speak Spanish and had to be coached. Although this deceit could be considered an important one, it is, from a presentation skills perspective, even more impressive because he delivered his Spanish line fluently.
6. Barack Obama – The President has been on the country’s TV screens for over three years. In 2008, comparatively, he was an exciting newcomer. Given this familiarity, a speech that excites is more difficult to deliver than it once was. Obama had an additional hurdle to overcome. Some of his policy achievements are unpopular with large swathes of the public. Championing those achievements would have played well in the hall, but had the potential to alienate the viewers at home. Accordingly, the President’s policy remarks and plans for the next four years were intentionally vague. Finally, the move of his speech location from an outdoor stadium with accompanying fireworks to a cramped convention hall made the presentation less dynamic than it might have otherwise been.
5. Bill Clinton – The former President, although beloved by the Democratic Party, has a tendency to be self-absorbent, long-winded, and factoid fascinated. All three were fully on display. He spent a large amount of his speech talking about himself, he ran long at a total of 48 minutes, and he spewed facts like they were bullets. It was magical for the people in the hall, and likely for many at home. He was not, however, able to make a coherent argument for reelecting President Obama. He also looked smaller, older, and shakier than he was when in his prime. Nevertheless, it was a full Clintonian performance and the crowd loved him for it.
4. Emanuel Cleaver, II – The Missouri Congressman and Congressional Black Caucus leader was in full throttle preacher mode with a fiery and evocative presentation. He demonstrated effective application of call and response methodology and other audience grapping techniques. It was impressive.
3. John Kerry – The 2004 presidential candidate, who remains a Senator but has no stated presidential ambitions, looked relaxed. His hand movements, body language, and use of humor were all purposeful. He demonstrated a wide and impressive array of knowledge about foreign policy. Viewers might easily have wondered why they did not vote for him in 2004.
2. Joe Biden – The Vice President, even when proclaiming one of his infamous verbal gaffs (IE-“It’s a three letter word-J.O.B.S.), was personable, excited, and emotive. He useds his hands effectively. He also managed to attack his GOP counterpart Paul Ryan without appearing mean or vindictive.
1. Michelle Obama – Much as Ann Romney did for GOP nominee Mitt Romney, the First Lady put a human face on the sometimes cold and detached President. In a vitoitial display, he managed the difficult task of making a prepared text appoear spontaneous. Her comments were moving and effective. So effective, in fact, that she returned on Thursday evening to introduce the President.
If this article included a list of the bottom ten speakers, AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi would have made that list. Trumka looked and sounded like the over-worn image of a union thug. Reid’s presentation was dry and tired. Pelosi looked old and confused. Of the three, only Trumka generated much excitement.
Regardless of your politics, both the DNC and RNC conventions were a presentation skills observer’s candy store in an environment where presentation skills really matter for the future of our country.
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