January 27, 2010
State of the prompter?
Well, the governor read his speech to a joint session last night. This was his last "State of the State" speech--as governor--or so he says. (God, it would have been fun to break the TelePrompTer with a hammer just before Doyle was introduced or, to do so tonight before Obama begins reading. How would they handle it?)
I have given lots of speeches, read a few, and have been with some great speakers who inspired crowds. I can't think of one inspirational speech that was read from a TelePrompTer. Ask--would we have been inspired by LaFollette or Gaylord or Jesse Jackson had they read from a TelePrompTer? I don't think so.
A speaker either engages the audience in front of him/her with words from the heart, or he usually becomes fascinated with the written words on the screen flying by. Even if they are his words, the speech appears to be the work of a committee. It lacks authenticity at a time when a cynical electorate tires of phony props.
I don't remember the first speech I watched aided by a TelePrompTer (LBJ?), but staffers don't work on substance and delivery any more--they have the speaker practice reading while they make last-minute corrections.
Wisconsin Public Televison reported that Doyle was "passionate" only about MPS and his plan for a mayoral takeover. What did we learn? Well, he did seem to talk about MPS with passion--seemed to stop reading. Can't say I liked his message, but that is hardly a news flash. It seemed real.
Presumably, his speech was available to supporters of the Doyle/Barrett takeover. "Coordinated" might be too strong. But this morning MJS editorialized that Milwaukee county should dissolve. The Greater Milwaukee Committee, same day, and the so-called Public Policy Forum, cried for MPS reform--bankruptcy, death or dissolution seem to be the only other options. (Wisconsin Public Television got ahead of the story by reporting Doyle would dissolve MPS.)
Keep your fingers crossed that Biden will hide the TelePrompTer tonight. A little talk from the heart, please!
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Doyle was talking to the teleprompter and not the citizens of this state. Poor camera angles made his eye contact with us even more distant.
There did not seem to be much substance in the speech. The Republican follow-up was just as lackluster.
Let's hope our politicians can get more accomplished during these tough times and the months ahead than writing speeches or giving commentaries.
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | January 27, 2010
The only speech tool worse than a teleprompter is PowerPoint.
-Al Arnold | Rice Lake, WI | January 28, 2010
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