General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Romney: Electing our first black President has made life "worse in every way" for African Americans [View all]Amerigo Vespucci
(30,885 posts)...that Romney gave the same speech to the NAACP that he's given to every other audience.
There are pros and cons to that approach.
On one hand, I don;t believe that anyone should "pander"...change their basic message to "win points"...no matter where they're speaking.
On the other hand, I feel that it is the responsibility of any speaker to take the basic needs and interests of their audience into consideration, and to address them in one form or another in their speech. It doesn't mean they have to compromise their principles. It's just a show of common courtesy: "You invited me here, I appreciate it, I know these areas are of concern / interest to you, and I'd like to address them."
I agree with what many are saying, that Romney may have literally "spoken to" attendees at an NAACP meeting, but he was really "talking to" the cameras, his donors, and the "base" of the Republican party. He was demonstrating his ability to stay on subject, and the NAACP were simply a means to an end.
I've spoken on a number of occasions at local Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Clubs. I always make a point of using the second option I described above. I choose a subject I believe would be interesting and informative and always do whatever I can to "personalize" it for my audience.