Best Public Speaker

[vox nihili]

As a keen public speaker, one thing the election campaign has reminded me—and in particular the debates—the tendency for our leaders to avoid at all costs any seemingly impressive public speaking. This campaign has been particularly dull, with Rudd being a hell of a lot less animated in his oratory this time around than in '07. This is certainly not to say that the leaders aren't employing rhetorical technique left, right and centre (Abbott's so called 'three word slogans' are a prime example and are working very well), but there's certainly an avoidance of passion.

Anyhow, it's lead me to thinking: who really is/was the best speaker in Australian politics? We had a lot of discussions about this in my English Language class last year, but before I share some of my own opinions, I'd like to hear some of yours first! What do we think?

I may be writing a blog post about this at some time (if I find the time...i.e. can be stuffed), and would love to hear your opinions!!

PS: this ended up way more formal and annoying-sounding (real word) than I intended.

[abeybaby]

best - greg hunt
worst - that irish whose name i dont know, or jaymes diaz

[vox nihili]

best - greg hunt
worst - that irish whose name i dont know, or jaymes diaz

Just had a quick look at him on Q&A (couldn't remember who he was off the top of my head and to be honest haven't seen him that much), he's not bad! He's quite a clear communicator, but do you think he's that impressive? He held his own against Plib, so that's something because she's usually pretty good!

[abeybaby]

Im not sure about impressive in the normal sense - but he's one of the very few politicians who seems respectable. That's much more impressive to me than someone who's good at spinning bad news into good news.

[vox nihili]

Im not sure about impressive in the normal sense - but he's one of the very few politicians who seems respectable. That's much more impressive to me than someone who's good at spinning bad news into good news.

That's true, and it raises an interesting point in public speaking: that you need to be, well as you put it, respectable.

But ignoring that for a moment, who do oyu think is most impressive?

[pi]

I honestly haven't ever felt too attracted to any formalised public speeches (in real life, on the news, etc.). I'd say some of the best speakers I've heard are from uni (Associate Professor Christopher Wright comes to mind as one, in both an academic and non-academic sense) or random speakers like Malala Yousafzai who speak with passion.

[abeybaby]

I'm not sure... I don't think I could say who's MOST impressive, but I could probably give you a list of impressive ones?

Greg hunt
Julie Bishop
Scott Morrison (sometimes)
I was a fan of Alexander Downer
Everybody loved Steve Bracks
Kevin Andrews

Writing that list just made me realise why I look at the labor party, and struggle to take them seriously.

[pi]

What do you find so impressive about Julie Bishop out of curiosity?

[abeybaby]

It might be that ive never seen her lose her cool, or fling insults around. every time ive heard her speak, shes been calm, sensible and collected and genuine

[vox nihili]

What do you find so impressive about Julie Bishop out of curiosity?

Paralinguistics is also extremely important!

[vox nihili]

I'm not sure... I don't think I could say who's MOST impressive, but I could probably give you a list of impressive ones?

Greg hunt
Julie Bishop
Scott Morrison (sometimes)
I was a fan of Alexander Downer
Everybody loved Steve Bracks
Kevin Andrews

Writing that list just made me realise why I look at the labor party, and struggle to take them seriously.

These are interesting choices. I can see, somewhat, what you like about Julie Bishop. You're right in your later comment talking about how measured she is. The one in there that I would definitely object to though is Alexander Downer. He didn't handle pressure all that well, so in the public speaking/debating arena he was outmatched.
I do also like that you qualified Scott Morrison with sometimes...he has some pretty sad moments hahah.

[abeybaby]

so whats your list?

[vox nihili]

so whats your list?

To be quite honest, I'm still sort of thinking on it.

Some inclusions off the top of my head would definitely be Gillard. She did have a frustrating way of speaking at times, but she was a much clearer communicator than Rudd and than Abbott, despite her extremely frustrating accent and voice (and pronunciation of initiate). Misogyny speech was a fairly good example of a speech done well, particularly for a speech given extempore (to some extent).
Keating was absolutely hopeless with paper in front of him (and was blessed with an absolutely fantastic speech writer for Redfern, despite what he says), but some of his extempore exchanges in parliament were incredible. He made mince meat of Hewson, Howard and Downer (this was actually why I criticised Downer as a choice—for the most part he was quite good, but there's a good example of Keating tearing shreds off him that was just too good to pass up).
Howard certainly had his moments too, but suffered Gillard disorder. For the most part he was a whining pain in the neck, but there are certainly some good examples of when Howard really shone, particularly when he came out with "we will decide who comes to this nation and the circumstances in which they come". Despite really hating that line for its effect, it was a fantastic moment in oratory in Australia—a very powerful moment.