Many Americans may think that Mitt Romney's speaking style is how a commander in chief should talk, says John McWhorter, a linguist and political commentator, but that perception -- informed by memories of FDR, JFK and Martin Sheen's President Bartlett on "West Wing" -- is now out of step with what really stirs people in their guts about public figures.
Presidential linguistics —
Many Americans may think that Mitt Romney's speaking style is how a commander in chief should talk, says John McWhorter, a linguist and political commentator, but that perception -- informed by memories of FDR, JFK and Martin Sheen's President Bartlett on "West Wing" -- is now out of step with what really stirs people in their guts about public figures.
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Voters have shown they prefer a folksier voice, says McWhorter. Barack Obama comes to folksy cadence naturally. When he sounds preacherly in speeches to the NAACP, Obama is doing just what most black Americans do 24/7, sliding between two ways of talking: vanilla and chocolate.
Presidential linguistics —
Voters have shown they prefer a folksier voice, says McWhorter. Barack Obama comes to folksy cadence naturally. When he sounds preacherly in speeches to the NAACP, Obama is doing just what most black Americans do 24/7, sliding between two ways of talking: vanilla and chocolate.
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Obama's very intonation of "Yes, we can!" would have sounded pathetic coming from former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who lacked warmth on the stump, McWhorter says.
Presidential linguistics —
Obama's very intonation of "Yes, we can!" would have sounded pathetic coming from former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who lacked warmth on the stump, McWhorter says.
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For decades, the warmer speaker has won presidential elections. President George W. Bush's Texan inflections made candidates Al Gore and John Kerry sound like schoolteachers.
Presidential linguistics —
For decades, the warmer speaker has won presidential elections. President George W. Bush's Texan inflections made candidates Al Gore and John Kerry sound like schoolteachers.
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Bill Clinton's light, scratchy drawl created an instant approachability that made his opponent, the first President Bush, sound like a patrician by comparison, and Bob Dole like the Viagra pitchman he eventually became.
Presidential linguistics —
Bill Clinton's light, scratchy drawl created an instant approachability that made his opponent, the first President Bush, sound like a patrician by comparison, and Bob Dole like the Viagra pitchman he eventually became.
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Still, even George H.W. Bush could manage approachable and "nice" -- recall Dana Carvey's send-up -- compared with Michael Dukakis' beige speaking style.
Presidential linguistics —
Still, even George H.W. Bush could manage approachable and "nice" -- recall Dana Carvey's send-up -- compared with Michael Dukakis' beige speaking style.
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Ronald Reagan, smiling with a dusting of wry, sounded like your grandfather, while Jimmy Carter, despite the Georgia accent, always sounded a bit sad and sanctimonious and Walter Mondale like your accountant.
Presidential linguistics —
Ronald Reagan, smiling with a dusting of wry, sounded like your grandfather, while Jimmy Carter, despite the Georgia accent, always sounded a bit sad and sanctimonious and Walter Mondale like your accountant.
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In an ideal world for Romney, his media coaching would include Henry Higgins-style speech lessons from Chris Rock, left, or Louis C.K.
Presidential linguistics —
In an ideal world for Romney, his media coaching would include Henry Higgins-style speech lessons from Chris Rock, left, or Louis C.K.
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