Ron Paul losing his articulacy?

[Theocrat]

I Sort of Agree

I hate to say it but I don't think Ron Paul has been doing very well in these things so far. He talks about "liberty" in an abstract way that means nothing to a person who isn't already acquainted with his ideas. In 2007, it was like the place would shake every time he opened his mouth, but he's not saying anything hard-hitting this time. I'm just not feeling the energy that he had four years ago. Anyone agree?

You know, as I was watching the debate, I didn't like Ron using the words "militarism" and "corporatism." Even though his supporters understand those terms, I don't think the general public really does. I see it as another reason why Ron needs to "water down" his answers, unfortunately.

 

[economics102]

You know, as I was watching the debate, I didn't like Ron using the words "militarism" and "corporatism." Even though his supporters understand those terms, I don't think the general public really does. I see it as another reason why Ron needs to "water down" his answers, unfortunately.

I think militarism is OK but corporatism maybe not.

I also agree with Tom Woods' comment about how terms like "business cycle" are lost on 99.9999% of Americans.

 

[acptulsa]

Oh, I think he's doing fine with his economic talk. Especially when he says things like, 'Who else on this stage predicted this mess?' And obviously Faux does too, or they would actually ask him questions on the subject in a debate.

 

[Agorism]

Paul wakes up early in the morning like 6 AM.

When making rounds all day, voting, flying around, I can see why he could lose his edge when he is still doing interviews at 10 and 11 at night, but from what I saw he still did well in the debates. idk about Stossel show though as I didn't see it.

 

[AJ187]

I think militarism is OK but corporatism maybe not.

I also agree with Tom Woods' comment about how terms like "business cycle" are lost on 99.9999% of Americans.

Who knows, it might compel them to look it up. You know how many people watch tv with a laptop in the same room?

 

[Theocrat]

I Agree With Woods, Too

I think militarism is OK but corporatism maybe not.

I also agree with Tom Woods' comment about how terms like "business cycle" are lost on 99.9999% of Americans.

Thank you for mentioning "business cycle" because that was another term Ron used which I thought he lost most of the audience on. Now, if the debate was on FOX Business News, then Ron might have a better audience to receive those points.

 

[economics102]

Who knows, it might compel them to look it up. You know how many people watch tv with a laptop in the same room?

I agree with you on some things, but not on terms like "business cycle" because it sounds so generic that people won't even realize he's talking about something specific and technical.

 

[AJ187]

I agree with you on some things, but not on terms like "business cycle" because it sounds so generic that people won't even realize he's talking about something specific and technical.

I agree, that term needs to be better explained.

 

[bolidew]

He looked at notes once during closing remarks......

It's hard to become a POTUS, so yeah he still needs to do better.

 

[bpitas]

Three things I noticed:

1) He uses the contraction "but" in too many places when he gets tired. I'm talking about in places where maybe he could use the conjunction "and" or "so", or something less negative than "but". (Conjunction junction, what's your function?) This is something a good speech coach should be able to help him fix, although as someone else above said - if he just slowed down a bit I think it would be fine. Listen to his answers during the debate - it's almost like he strings thoughts together using the word "but" to fill the dead space, but after a while it gets very noticable.

2) Unfortunately I agree that he has to water things down a bit. Everyone on this forum is very familiar with his positions, so when he rambles a bit we know what he was going to say anyway, even if he leaves a few key words out of the sentence. But if you're new to Dr. Paul's talking points, it's probably pretty hard to follow sometimes - especially when he's on stage in a debate with a hard limit on how long he has to get his point out. He brings up much more complex topics than the other candidates, and sorta breezes over the details that might help someone understand what he's talking about if they don't already have the background. For example, he says "sound currency" and "the fed just prints money" all the time, but I'll bet 3/4s of the people in the audience have absolutely no idea what that means. So, he should slow things down. As an example, there was one portion of the debate where Newt had some answer about what he did to pass legislation through a democratic congress. I noticed that Newt spoke surprisingly (almost uncomfortably) slowly and was VERY articulate. It was almost like he wanted to give the audience time to digest what he was saying one word one at a time instead of one sentence at a time. I thought it actually worked for him, because the uncomfortable slowness had me riveted like a train wreck - I couldn't not listen. Then again I was also very surprised that he didn't get one single clap in the audience, so maybe it was just me.

3) The times that Dr. Paul really moves and energizes ME is when he smiles and looks positive HIMSELF. He's definitely getting on in the years, and one thing I noticed especially in this debate is that he looks... I don't know... maybe ANGRY alot of the time he's on stage. I have to admit I kinda think of him as "the Grandfather who's going to save the country" (and I'm 41, so not some young kid!) and let's face it - he'd win over more people if he didn't look so crotchety sometimes. Of course I can't blame him - it must be REALLY frustrating to stay up all day, then get on stage and listen to all the other idiot politicians parrot back the same talking points that Ron had in 2008 and everyone said were crazy. The really painful part is that when used-car-salesmen Romney makes the same points as Ron Paul, it sounds smoother alot of the time, and if you don't know that it's something Dr. Paul was saying 20 years ago, you'd think Mittens actually came up with it himself...

 

[falconplayer11]

Are you guys kidding!?! Yeah, Ron isn't the best speaker. But compared to 2008, what we saw at the debate on Thursday was a miracle. He was FAR more articulate in this debate than any other previous one in the simple fact that he spoke in complete sentences and finished his thoughts before moving on to the next. Yes, there is some work to do. But he has only gotten better. And I think we all have one Doug Wead to thank for that.

Offer suggestions on how he can improve. But recognize that huge progress has been made.

 

[trey4sports]

I thought he did a tremendous job at the caucus. He slowed things down and was very deliberate

 

[ForLibertyFight]

I love Ron Paul but to be completely honest, he is not the most articulate speaker.

I believe he needs a debate coach. (Tom Woods)

 

[Erentheca]

I think Dr. Paul has definitely maintained his articulacy, but it's in delivery that people sometimes get distracted. I understand he is trying to encapsulate and explain a great many ideas, and if this was an hour long, one on one conversation, his gentle explanatory style would definitely be more appreciated by the general public. In my analysis, the problem any debater faces in delivery is two fold:

1) Compressing information into the time slot allotted.
2) Make sure your points are clear and understood.

Now I have been watching a lot of clips with Nigel Farage recently, and if anyone is unfamiliar with him, he is the Leader of the UK Independence party, and an outspoken opponent of the monetary and anti-democratic policies of the EU as a member of the European Parliament. He is also a self-described Libertarian.

I mention Nigel Farage because he is also a statesman who tries to explain and educate when he speaks. His delivery method is fast, but compressed into bursts, with brief and regular pauses. This gives the listener a moment to process the information, while still assimilating a lot of information. Often, of course, he is quoted in regards to speeches he has already prepared, so the real trick is to incorporate this quick delivery style into an active debate where numerous questions and rebuttals can make this difficult.

It's definitely a challenge, as Ron Paul is one of the few who actually tries to educate with his answers, and he must know right now he has so much riding on him, so I can't blame him for expressing, at least indirectly, the effect of that pressure.

 

[BillBraske]

we've only had two debates and everyones saying "wheres Pauls great lines?", well he didnt have one every debate in 07 and 08, remember there were TONS of debates and he was able to make a few great lines, hell get one next month, dont worry.

I think he's had some great lines.

Most recently, I loved his line to Santorum, "I'm sure you voted for that war, too". All while both were on split screen and it very clearly showed Santorum proudly acknowledging his vote on Iraq. It was a perfect contrast of war v. peace candidates. Peace resonates with everyday Americans and we happen to be the only camp actively promoting peace.

I agree when put on the spot on stage he has looked a bit freightened. Once that wears off and the truth injects itself into the arguments everything is absolutely fine.

 

[kylejack]

He's best when he's confronted. We need more confrontations.

 

[Erentheca]

He's best when he's confronted. We need more confrontations.

True that. Ron Paul is never a guy anyone wants to try and back into a corner. I especially savor those moments when one of the other candidates actually get fired up and passionate against him, and Ron Paul just smiles, and takes the poor guy back to foreign policy 101.

 

[Feeding the Abscess]

Are you guys kidding!?! Yeah, Ron isn't the best speaker. But compared to 2008, what we saw at the debate on Thursday was a miracle. He was FAR more articulate in this debate than any other previous one in the simple fact that he spoke in complete sentences and finished his thoughts before moving on to the next. Yes, there is some work to do. But he has only gotten better. And I think we all have one Doug Wead to thank for that.

Offer suggestions on how he can improve. But recognize that huge progress has been made.

Wead isn't prepping Ron for debate. He said so himself.

 

[wanda]

well said.

 

[bb_dg]

I think that when the candidates are able to argue with each other (we got a taste of it with Paul vs Santorum), that's when Ron Paul shines. I think it will be happening upcoming debates.