Unfortunately we know the ability of G.W. to speak and persuade. And personally I think he's getting worse at speaking of late. It's been painful to watch him try to make a point. (And of course the old media would try to distort anything he says.)
Our problem is is that we have few excellent and forceful speakers to make the needed points. Tony Snow is very good and makes a good impression.
Actually....... I say give Mark Steyn a three hour talk show five (or six) days a week like the sometimes helpful sometimes hurtful Rush Limbaugh, and the world would be a better place!
Ouch!, when you consider his oratory skills to begin with. I didn't see or hear his news conferences this week but my brother was saying the same thing you did when I talked to him by phone yesterday.
W doesn't have the faking ability like the Cigar King does. If he doesn't believe in it, he can't sell it. The notable exceptions were on the mound of ruble in NY and his speech before the joint session of congress in September 01. He believed everything he was saying then.