Is Ron Paul Comfortable in the Public Eye?

Monday night after watching the South Carolina Republican debates, it occurred to me that if Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich – both polished and dapper public speakers – had Ron Paul’s platform , they would be so far ahead of the other candidates that they’d be lapping the field. A polished demeanor in a candidate is a good thing.

I like Dr. Paul and his platform. I am going to vote for Dr. Paul – but the bottom line is that he just doesn’t appear comfortable on the dais, and I believe this is hurting him. He’s obviously passionate about his beliefs, this is easy to see, but he stumbles and rambles, jumping from idea to idea without completing a thought, and Monday night it occurred to me that if a voter were listening to him for the first time, unaware of Paul’s views, that voter might not be able to fully grasp what the Texas Congressman was attempting to convey – at the very least, his beliefs might sound somewhat convoluted.

When I watch Ron Paul speak, I am befuddled by his inability to follow the simple rules of public speaking that are taught in high school. Stop, think, construct the thought and then slowly and coherently make your statement. Don’t fidget, keep eye contact with your audience and use quiet, thoughtful pauses instead of “Ums” and “Uhs.” As my Son – one of Dr. Paul’s most ardent supporters – asked of no one in particular, “Doesn’t he have a speaking coach?”

Every voter should be doing his homework and finding out what each candidate stands for and believes in, but many don’t. Every debate is an opportunity for the candidates to corral the undecided voter, a chance to educate the uneducated voter – but to maximize that opportunity, Ron Paul needs to come off as coherent, concise, calm and knowledgeable. Instead, to my eyes, he comes off as flighty, rushed and anxious – unable to be the Head Engineer on his own train of thought. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. We should be voting for the beliefs, ideas and convictions each candidate brings to the table, not for how he looks or acts or speaks – but good or bad, this plays into the process.

When Ron Paul is in a one on one interview, he is a more thoughtful and confident person. When speaking to his backers, he is in his element and is obviously comfortable and loose, but he needs to find a way to bring these traits to the table when speaking in a public forum or debate. In the end it could end up dooming his chances of winning the nomination.

I certainly hope not.


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