Soothing to Sarcastic: The Speaking Styles of GOP Contenders

By Emily Woodbury

Special to IowaWatch

Whether presidential candidates are speaking in the Iowa caucus campaign or a town meeting, they need to effectively convey their message and connect with people in the crowd.

This year, speaking styles range from the soothing manner of Barack Obama to the sarcasm of Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

I asked several rhetoric and speech experts to assess the speaking manner of those in the current lineup of contenders.

Bruce Gronbeck, a University of Iowa professor emeritus who specializes in political rhetoric, told me that the way candidates speak can have a major impact on the campaign. He used former President Bill Clinton as an example.

“Once he riveted in on you, you felt you had his complete attention,” Gronbeck said. “You were the complete focus of him and what he was thinking and saying.”

Persuading an audience is all about “personal connection,” said Doug Gross, former chief of staff to Terry Branstad, Iowa’s Republican governor.

“If they like you, then they’ll listen to you, and … then you have a shot at persuading them.”

To listen to some of the candidates speak and experts critique them, click here.