I’m also familiar with Flesch - Kinkaid formula. I believe the writer was referring to Obama “blaming” himself for not communicating properly, though he could be understood by an eighth grader. Does Obama think we are dumber than eighth graders? And, we do understand, as boring as Obama’s speeches have become. I reckon when he speaks down to us, he also turns us off, and we turn him off.
Another aspect used with the Flesch - Kinkaid formula, is to know your audience. Bush’s speeches were appropriate for sophomores, because that is the average listening audience conception. An eight grader might be lost, but anyone interested in knowing what’s going on, will understand the speech, and not become disinterested out of boredom.
Most, if not all of us, speak according to people among us. We use baby talk with babies, and graduate upwards with the ages, common sense, and IQs of our peers. For instance, my grandkids would not have an idea what I am saying. However, most, if not all of you will, providing I am posting to your level, and am not boring you to death! If I screwed up, then I apologize in advance!
I re-read the piece in the WT and did not get the same impression about blaming that you mention in your first sentence.
Dumber (and, as I say, IQ) has nothing to do with the F-K. In fact, the term, “grade levels,” confuses the measurement, adding a value judgment. Just think of a scale of 1 to 12, the lower the value, the more accessible it is.
See Carmine Gallo’s brilliant book on the Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs. And Frank Luntz’s Words that Work. Small words. Short sentences. It’s simply part of the technique to connect with listeners, and as I apply F-K and other scales, with readers of your writing.
Wearing asbestos undies here: Not defending the prez, or arguing your points about his speeches or GWB’s. Just saying F-K is not a measure of IQ, either for writers, readers, speakers or listeners. If you’re interested in pursuing, use it to measure best-selling fiction, including Pulitzer Prize fiction. It usually measures 4-6 on F-K. It’s not written to fourth-graders. And doesn’t read like it. Also see Orwell’s essay on Politics and the English Language.
Nice talking to you.