Why does GWB always read from paper when giving speeches?

Question

Not very statesman like would you agree?

Answer 1

Bush has been told by his handlers never to speak off text. Why is it you think Bush never has a press conference?. His handlers have made sure he never speaks.. Bush needs to have a on record physical if he does not Congress should order it. He has a problem and Congress knows it.. I think it could be related to his past history of cocaine use or he's drinking again...

Answer 2

I'll start by saying this: There are three parts to my answer. The first is a silly factual correction, and the second is the answer proper. If you want to skip the first part, then feel free.

One, the president (as well as the Vice President, and all the other politicians I've ever seen speaking-- it's not unique to the Bush administration, though also not 100% constant) does not read a paper document telling him what to say. He uses a projection screen. If you watch any large-scale speech, you will notice angled glass panels (My source is the best image I could find off-hand to demonstrate. Note the shadow in front of George Bush) and it is upon those glass panels that the speech is projected. Placing the notes out in front is a good idea, better than reading from paper notes, because it allows the speaker to keep eye contact more closely with the audience-- there's no problem with that, by my book.

The idea behind many of the other posts is largely correct. It is hard to give a speech, hard to keep everything in mind as you go through it. George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John Kennedy, whoever you want to say is smart or stupid, they all use (or used, in Kennedy's case) prepared notes when giving lengthy speeches. Imagine giving the State of the Union address, an hour-or-longer speech, without notes! Therefor, yes. It is statesman-like to use notes when speaking at length about important issues, which regardless of politics, most speeches are supposed to be. Or, more accurately, more speaker-like, as everyone who gives prepared speeches also uses prepared notes.

Answer 3

This must be the first president you have ever watched give a speech.

GWB predecessor never uttered a word while president, that wasn't scripted. This man never had a thought of his own, never had an impromptu question and answer session with the press, and never stood before a microphone without his words being written out by script writers. He never allowed rebuttal to his speeches, for fear by his handlers, that he would say the wrong thing.

I take it back. He did say something impromptu, to the press, but just one time: " I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky !"

Answer 4

I guess that makes every President before him un-statesman like.
A lot of people have speech writers, including the President.

Answer 5

Abraham Lincoln read the Gettysburg Address from paper.

Or do you prefer the teleprompter? Is it image or content that makes a statesman?


:-)

Answer 6

What a foolish statement. Have you ever given a speech? Did you use notes? Practice the speech and memorize it? The President is sometimes very good at giving a speech. Sometimes not. He is human by the way.

Quit picking on the President, get a life.

Answer 7

I'd like to say its because he's too stupid to remember the speech, but most politicians use notes at least when giving a speech; some even use teleprompters.

Answer 8

I couldn't care less. When's the last time you gave a speech in front of cameras?

Answer 9

Maybe he's saving money by not having a teleprompter like the other presidents did.

Answer 10

Oh please...

Its not uncommon for any speaker to have reference notes regarding the topic or topics being discussed...

No, I don't agree...