Analyzing political speech and assigning a grade level is useful and important

[elehhhhna]

I ran Bush and Kerry's various campaign speeches through a handy scoring website when they were running against each other. (Wish I had that link now - instant heueristic scoring using three criteria) IIRC Bush spoke @ around a 6th grade level and Kerry around 11th. And I think that's part of the reason Kerry lost.

Dems talk too much, use too many words, big and otherwise, and need to work on SIMPLIFICATION.

It's an important factore when appealing to the public at large, which is - face it, America - sorta stoopid.

[CJCRANE]

1. There's a middle ground between Bush and Kerry.

Kerry has a stentorian speaking style that befits a Victorian Era statesman. That style doesn't have the same impact in today's soundbite media.

[elehhhhna]

2. Yep. Sales means playing to the audience.

Dems often don't seem to wanna SELL IT...even (especially?) when the facts and public opinion are on their side.