Those of you who watched the debate last night saw two untrained people trying to speak in public, and it must have made you cringe. I suppose oratory is not as important a skill as it once was. Alan Keyes, regardless of what you think of him, can deliver a speech. Bush can't complete a sentence without stammering and Kerry doesn't know what his hands are doing while he's talking -- it's like watching one of those acts where one guy stands in front with his hands behind his back and another guy stands behind him and his arms act as the first guy's arms.
But I want to point out a trend in political public speaking that really irks me: the Clinton Fist. I saw Bush make it last night. Are you wondering what the Clinton Fist is? It's the style of fist made popular, I believe, by William Jefferson Clinton. It's a kinder, gentler fist, one which doesn't frighten soccer moms, because it lacks the aggressive look of a real fist while still, supposedly, conveying resolve. I find it annoying as hell. Below are examples of the Clinton Fist and a real fist:
Clinton Fist
Real Fist
In my opinion, the Clinton Fist demonstrates a politically correct spinelessness which I find repulsive and yet characteristic of politicians everywhere these days. These guys are ruled by focus groups and polling data and don't have the balls to make a clenched fist if they feel passionately about something.
What do you guys think about the fisting situation?
But I want to point out a trend in political public speaking that really irks me: the Clinton Fist. I saw Bush make it last night. Are you wondering what the Clinton Fist is? It's the style of fist made popular, I believe, by William Jefferson Clinton. It's a kinder, gentler fist, one which doesn't frighten soccer moms, because it lacks the aggressive look of a real fist while still, supposedly, conveying resolve. I find it annoying as hell. Below are examples of the Clinton Fist and a real fist:
Clinton Fist
Real Fist
In my opinion, the Clinton Fist demonstrates a politically correct spinelessness which I find repulsive and yet characteristic of politicians everywhere these days. These guys are ruled by focus groups and polling data and don't have the balls to make a clenched fist if they feel passionately about something.
What do you guys think about the fisting situation?
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