February 22, 200818 yr If there is not a litmus test regarding WHAT they say, you have to include both Malcolm X and Louis Farrakahn.
February 22, 200818 yr I would give Bill Clinton the edge over Obama but it's pretty hard to go against MLK jr for best all time. The first speech that Clinton gave at the Democrat national convention almost got him no chance in the next Presidential race it was so bad.
February 22, 200818 yr From a historical standpoint Abe Lincoln and Jesus Christ is hard to beat, but Obama is VERY good. I gotta go with this one.
February 22, 200818 yr This is the funniest thing that I have seen in a long time... What was the American people doing putting him in the office.... Indeed. What was they thinking...:laugh:
February 22, 200818 yr You need to look up and listen to some FDR and Winston Churchhill, if you want to hear some quality public speakers. Billy Graham is excellent, too. And you can never go wrong with a little Ronald Wilson Reagan. Actually FDR is my choice. He was awesome!
February 22, 200818 yr William Jennings Bryan has to be ranked toward the top somewhere in this category. His 1896 "Cross of Gold" speech at the Democratic National Convention propelled him to the nomination. He perfected the 'stump speech' technique, and ran for president 3 times, losing in 1896, 1900, and 1908. He is also famous for his involvement in the Scopes Monkey Trial case in 1925. His 1896 convention speech made him the star of the convention speakers, and the leader of his party for many years.
February 22, 200818 yr This is the funniest thing that I have seen in a long time... What was the American people doing putting him in the office.... Since you're only 26 I wouldn't expect you to understand.
February 22, 200818 yr Since you're only 26 I wouldn't expect you to understand. Could the alternatives have been that much worse? While Gore & Kerry may not have been great speakers & too cold & calculated, there is no question that they are intelligent. Alternative to: -we're in 2 wars both b/c of 9/11 but only one of those actually had anything to do with it. Saddam Hussein was a bad guy but so is Fidel Castro & we haven't invaded that country in 40 yrs. -we're approaching a recession. While Reagan gets the benefit from Republican for the 90's, I'm sure it was Bill's fault for our economy today. The only problem is that the budget was balanced & we had a surprise when he left. -Oil prices has quadrupled $25 a barrel to $101 a barrel (record high). Gas prices have almost tripled $1.25-$1.50 to $3.50 at times. -Prices at the pump effect prices in stores so everything has went up. I bought 1 apple the other day & it costed $1.34. It was good but not work that. -Due to the wars, we've had to send troops over & over. We do not give them the leave time that are expected between duties. Then, we are threatening Iran. If we invade Iran before the years up, we'll have to re-introduce the draft (imo). The alternatives may not have done as BAD as GW but I highly doubt it.
February 22, 200818 yr I never heard him, but I would vote for Frederick Douglas. One of the best of all time. His autobiographies are outstanding and he was a renowned orator
February 22, 200818 yr I have often wondered what the breakdown of Hitler's audience was in terms of those who actually idolized him and those who clapped and cheered out of a fear for their lives. But like you said, he sure seemed to get his point across to a crowd. Hitler was inspiring crowds before they had reason to fear him, and before he had the authority to have armed guards there. By and large the people of Germany loved him, not to say they all did but the man restored German pride and prestige and rebuilt their economy. While many of the people mentioned here are exciting public speakers I have a hard time going against Hitler as the best. Winston Churchill maybe, but I am not sure if I can pick against Hitler here.
February 22, 200818 yr The first speech that Clinton gave at the Democrat national convention almost got him no chance in the next Presidential race it was so bad. If you're talking about '88, that one was widely considered a positive toward expanding his national profile. I'm not aware that he spoke at the '84 convention.
February 22, 200818 yr If you're talking about '88, that one was widely considered a positive toward expanding his national profile. I'm not aware that he spoke at the '84 convention. Clinton, who was governor of Arkansas at the time, was chosen by Dukakis to deliver his nominating speech in Atlanta in 1988. There are different stories about what happened. Clinton says that the Dukakis people gave him this long speech to read that bored the convention; the Dukakis people say that Clinton wrote his own speech, which lasted about a half hour and achieved a very poor reception - so much so that the Democrats just wanted him off the podium by the end of it. Clinton has said it nearly destroyed his political career on national television. Clinton later shrewdly made amends by appearing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, playing his saxophone and making fun of his appearance in Atlanta. Americans saw that Clinton had a sense of humor, and that tended to neutralize the damage.
February 22, 200818 yr Going with Hitler...have read some books about how he was able to get people into a frenzy over his words.
February 22, 200818 yr Going with Hitler...have read some books about how he was able to get people into a frenzy over his words. He was my first guess but I didnt want to be the first one to say it. Aside from what he's actually conveying to the audience, his speaking skills and propaganda usage was unparalleled.
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