I’ve been in the room for a dozen or so appearances by Governor David Paterson, and for one appearance by President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n
On this day, when the Governor was in Crown Point and the President is prepping for his SOTU address, I can’t help playing with a comparison.<\/p>\n
The first-blush answer to the question in the headline of this post is, obviously, Mr. Obama. <\/p>\n
His speeches during the 2008 campaign are some of the most compelling and rousing examples of political oratory since Ronald Reagan was in the White House.<\/p>\n
But I’ll be honest: The teleprompter thing is getting to me. As a professional news reader, I can’t help but notice that Mr. Obama is performing.<\/p>\n
He’s reading well, but he’s still reading. He rarely seems to really embody what he’s saying. It’s not just a lack of passion. <\/p>\n
I often have the sense that he has two more speeches to deliver after this one — and he’ll probably deliver those pretty well, too.<\/p>\n
But is he feeling it? Is his attention really focused? I’m not feeling it.<\/p>\n
Compare that to David Paterson: Because of his visual impairment, New York’s governor performs almost entirely from memory.<\/p>\n
No teleprompters and at least when he’s on the road, no earbuds.<\/p>\n
At Crown Point today, he was able to name state and local officials from Vermont and New York, practically down to the dogcatcher level. <\/p>\n
A gimmick? A mnemonic trick? I don’t think so. <\/p>\n
He was also able to talk with nuance about the economic impacts of the bridge closure on these regional communities — and about the complex programs that have been implemented to solve the problem.<\/p>\n
Asked about the Moriah Shock prison closure, Mr. Paterson talked knowledgeably about that particular facility, about corrections policy, about the changing prison industry.<\/p>\n
Whatever he’s talking about, he seems to actually be in that moment, thinking about that thing. Not about his next speech in Buffalo, or wherever.<\/p>\n
A final observation: Paterson is often funny and unpredictable. Not always great qualities in a politician, but interesting in an orator.<\/p>\n
Obviously, both men’s communications skills will be tested in the coming months. <\/p>\n
Mr. Obama will need every bit of that bully pulpit to salvage his agenda from a lackluster first year.<\/p>\n
And Mr. Paterson will have to step up his game several notches to win a first full term.<\/p>\n
His best laugh-line today? <\/p>\n
He promised to be back in Crown Point next year, as governor, when the new Lake Champlain bridge is opened for traffic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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