Bush's speech-making abilities garner mixed reviews from faculty

In delivering his ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, President Bush also delivered to the American people a speech that will not soon be forgotten as the country approaches a possible war with Iraq. And in evaluating the president's oft-derided rhetorical capabilities last night, Penn faculty members gave the commander in chief mixed reviews. According to Annenberg School for Communication professor Larry Gross, Bush himself was "stiff," and his words "unpersuasive." "Bush is not making an argument, he's making assertions," Gross said. Gross also described Bush's 15-minute speech as repetitive and "like stamping his feet." "He's no Churchill, I'll give you that," he said. Communication Professor Klaus Krippendorff also found Bush's speech to be "unconvincing" -- however, he added that the president's delivery was "better than usual." "In general, I think he is an awful speaker," Krippendorff said, citing in particular the president's use of what he described as "Texan phrases," which he did not perceive as appropriate presidential rhetoric. But overall, Krippendorff said he found that Bush's speech last night was "surprisingly good." "I hate to say it, but I was impressed," he said. English Professor Emeritus Phyllis Rackin also said she was surprised by Bush's rhetorical skills in comparison with his previous speech-making attempts. "He must have practiced a lot," she said, adding that "usually, he's not up to par." Rackin described the president's rhetorical abilities in past speeches as "well below those of the average freshman."

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