Indiana

The Great Debators

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I watched the gubernatorial debate three times in the last few hours to try to do a thoughtful analysis.  To do this right, I graded the candidates the way I do my students in my speech classes.  They get grades for style, content and delivery.

Mitch Daniels

• Content - A. You did a good job of giving specifics.  We can argue what the facts mean in the grand scheme of things, but details work.
• Style - B+. Good job of taking the high road and not attacking your opponents, but pointing out discrepancies in their arguments
• Delivery - B.  You work well in small groups and in one-on-one interactions.  Work on the pauses, because it breaks up the flow of the points your trying to make and you can come across as unsure of the point you’re trying to make.  You know the material so relax and let it flow.
• Overall grade: B+

Jill Long Thompson

• Content - C+. While you seemed to have no problem pointing out the flaws of your opponent, you didn’t give voters a reason to pick you.  Times are tough all over, everyone knows that, but you didn’t make a compelling case for you.  Also, you need to give specifics.
• Style - C.  While you went on the attack, you didn’t say anything new.  I’ll chalk part of that of up to covering your campaign.  But you needed to get a headline out of this debate. 
• Delivery - B. Your delivery was smoother than Daniels, but you repeated yourself a lot and you were a little to stilted.  We know your running for Governor, that’s why your up there.  You do get a couple points for acknowledging flood victims.
• Overall Grade: C+/C.

Andy Horning

• Content - C+.  You get major points for promoting less government, but if you’re going to reference the Constitution, you need to cite specifics.  You did a good job in citing the Common School fund, although I disagree with your interpretation, you should have done more of that.
• Style - B+.  You get major points for style.  You stuck with the theme of less government.  And you used humor on stage in a appropriate manner which is never  bad thing. 
• Delivery - A.  Always you had great delivery.  You were smooth, direct and engaging.  And I felt as if you were talking to the audience and not at them.
• Overall Grade: B.

We’ll do this again after the next debate.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on September 17, 2008 (boomark / email).