Did Sara Palin's Speech Turn the Election Around?

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SUMMARY

Sara Palin's speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention significantly impacted voter sentiment, reportedly swaying millions. While some praised her delivery and timing, others criticized the reliance on speechwriters, arguing that candidates should express their own views authentically. The discussion highlighted the historical context of speechwriting, noting that effective speeches often require professional assistance due to the demands of modern political communication. Ultimately, opinions varied on the effectiveness and authenticity of Palin's message.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of political speechwriting and its historical context
  • Familiarity with the 2008 U.S. presidential election dynamics
  • Knowledge of public speaking techniques and audience engagement
  • Awareness of the role of media in shaping political narratives
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of speechwriting on political campaigns, focusing on notable examples
  • Analyze the effectiveness of Palin's speech using rhetorical techniques
  • Examine the role of media coverage in shaping public perception of political figures
  • Investigate the historical evolution of political speeches and their delivery
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for political analysts, speechwriters, communication professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of politics and public speaking.

  • #31
syano said:
It is my understanding that Obama solely wrote the 2004 DNC Keynote Address… the one that catapulted him onto the national stage - as mentioned in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama under the subhead 2004 U.S. Senate campaign and also sited in this Time Magazine article http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1837368,00.html
Favreau, now full time w/ the campaign, helped the Sen with the 2004 speech.
 
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  • #32
syano said:
Did you catch the part at beginning of her speech where she spoke of how special needs children would have a “…friend and an advocate in the White House.”? Which is contradictory of her record considering she cut the budget of Special Needs Programs in public schools by over 60%.
She didn't have a special-needs child back then. She does now. It shows bias towards people who are like her.
 
  • #33
Apparently speeches is all we are going to get out of Sarah Palin until the election.

It looks to me like the Republicans are sequestering her lest the country find out how unqualified and incapable she is to take on responsibility to look out for the interests of all Americans.
 
  • #34
i could not bring myself to listen to her speech, but after hearing it joe biden said roughly that it was an effective attack speech, but omitted mention of any of the problems facing the country like the economy, the war, health care, mortgage crisis.

after hearing the speech, my wife just said "she's mean as a snake".
 
  • #35
syano said:
Did you catch the part at beginning of her speech where she spoke of how special needs children would have a “…friend and an advocate in the White House.”? Which is contradictory of her record considering she cut the budget of Special Needs Programs in public schools by over 60%.

Before Elected 2007 http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/07_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

After Elected 2008 http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf and 2009 http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/09_omb/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

out of whack said:
She didn't have a special-needs child back then. She does now. It shows bias towards people who are like her.
Syano: this conclusion is wrong; Ak spending has increased for these students under Palin almost 12% in '08 over '07. May I ask is this your own conclusion or are you summarizing what you read somewhere, if so where; most importantly why were you inclined to believe it?
 
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  • #36
wildman said:
Why? Could you expand on that for our benefit. The rest of us haven't had the exposure to Palin that you obviously have.

I doubt it had anything to do with knowing her, she's done nothing interesting for me. She's been associated with standing up to oil companies, but she's also been alleged to have favoritism over offices (nothing too deep, it was like she had her brother-in-law fired after her sister and him divorced or something menial and personal like that). Anyway, standard politician nowadays: scandals and yahoos.

When I heard she was vp, I instantly felt it was a publicity stunt (a young, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed candidate to compete with Obama as a celebrity).

It's the common feeling when you get when watching a politician read a speech that somebody else (with properly homogenized republican values) wrote. When I watch it, I see someone striving for validation more than setting out a plan.
 
  • #37
mheslep said:
May I ask is this your own conclusion...
No, I was summarizing a news blog I read on the Huffington Post.

mheslep said:
... why were you inclined to believe it?
Well, to be honest I was inclined to believe it for two reasons. One, I want Obama to win. And two, Palin lied or severely twisted the truth in other parts of her speech so I figured she could be twisting the truth on this topic as well.
 
  • #38
LowlyPion said:
Apparently speeches is all we are going to get out of Sarah Palin until the election.

It looks to me like the Republicans are sequestering her lest the country find out how unqualified and incapable she is to take on responsibility to look out for the interests of all Americans.
:confused::confused: What exactly do you mean? They were together at a rally just yesterday: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-07-mccain-palin_N.htm
 
  • #41
russ_watters said:
:confused::confused: What exactly do you mean? They were together at a rally just yesterday: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-07-mccain-palin_N.htm

Is she scheduled for Meet the Press?

Think she hasn't been asked? Think they wouldn't let her on?

I think it's clear she is hiding at this point. There is something highly suspicious if she is being kept from public policy discussions, and used as a rally dolly spewing partisan rhetoric and lobbing sound bites. We've had 8 years of this kind of incompetence and the country surely deserves better at this point.

If she is qualified to lead then let her demonstrate that she is in command of the national issues that demand thoughtful attention, that she actually has something to offer, and not simply a neophyte beauty contestant trying to assume office through the tactics of divisiveness.
 
  • #42
McCain Helps Palin Cram For TV Interview
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94407496
Morning Edition, September 9, 2008 · The latest polls show Sarah Palin has boosted John McCain's campaign. McCain now leads among white women, and Palin is more popular among men than among women.

Moving beyond the applause lines from her convention speech, Palin will have her first interview with a network anchor Thursday. The campaign's foreign policy advisers and McCain himself are taking steps to make sure she's prepared.

Well, I'd prefer someone who knows about the policy issues going in this. McCain is tutoring Palin, who is supposed to reflect McCain's views.
 

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