Yes, we can.

[Strangler Lewis]

Makes sense in theory. However, have we had any great presidents who were not also known for their public speaking ability? Could Moses get elected president?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Makes sense in theory. However, have we had any great presidents who were not also known for their public speaking ability? Could Moses get elected president?

I didn't throw out the option of Great President/Great Speaker (nor poor president/poor speaker). I was merely comparing those two options: Good Pres/Poor Speaker vs. Good Speaker/Poor Pres.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

However, have we had any great presidents who were not also known for their public speaking ability? Could Moses get elected president?

Thomas Jefferson was a notoriously poor public speaker. After his first State of the Union address was inaudible to most of Congress, he never gave another one. The rest he sent to Congress in writing. There are also reports that he had a lisp.

Lincoln's voice was often described as high-pitched, unpleasant and shrill.

I guess it shows what good writing can do.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Tom

Lincoln's voice was often described as high-pitched, unpleasant and shrill.

No it's not. I heard him plenty of times in "Great Moments..." and his voice was quite deep and very powerful.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Tom

Thomas Jefferson was a notoriously poor public speaker. After his first State of the Union address was inaudible to most of Congress, he never gave another one. The rest he sent to Congress in writing. There are also reports that he had a lisp.

Lincoln's voice was often described as high-pitched, unpleasant and shrill.

I guess it shows what good writing can do.

More Dennis Weaver than Raymond Massey, I guess. Maybe I should refine that to say that it's hard to imagine somebody ranking as a great president in our modern media age without being considered an eloquent speaker.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Tom

Thomas Jefferson was a notoriously poor public speaker. After his first State of the Union address was inaudible to most of Congress, he never gave another one. The rest he sent to Congress in writing. There are also reports that he had a lisp.

Lincoln's voice was often described as high-pitched, unpleasant and shrill.

I guess it shows what good writing can do.

Tom, thanks for the little Presidential facts I did not know. Cool!

I have to say, I'm finding Hillary and Bill unpleasant and shrill, these days.