Doug Kanter wrote:

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...


I far
preferred Dan'l Patrick Moynihan or Bill Clinton as speakers .


Moynihan was to many voters as a torpedo is to a stationary ship - too much
to handle. He'd begin a speech with an idea which required at least a 30
minute attention span. Cuomo was the same way. And Garrison Keillor......



Yeah, well, those of us who love language and deal in it tend to admire
those who are expert in using it. Moynihan was a wonderful storyteller.
Whenever I attended a function where he would be, I'd be sure to hang
close, just so I could overhear some of the anecdotes.

Keillor is also a wonderful storyteller. If his radio show visits a city
near you, try to get tickets. It is an absolute hoot.

Of all the Presidents of the past 30 years, I'd rank Clinton the best
speaker, followed by Nixon. Nixon had a remarkable command of language
and was able to speak extem in great detail on complicated subjects.
Reagan was terrible without a script. Bush senior was just average as a
speaker. Carter was about the same. Gerry Ford, a favorite of mine as a
person, wasn't a great speaker.

I can remember Presidents going back to Truman, although I didn't really
get to know Truman until the 1960s, Of all the Presidents I recall,
there is little question Bush is the least capable intellectually, and
the worst speaker.