In the end, GWB was not the best of “orators” but he was indeed better than Jindal was tonight. It came off as condescending and did sound like Gore (as another poster noted). I don’t doubt that he can do better, it was just rough outing.
I agree, it wasn’t that great, but I don’t think anyone wzs expecting him to give a 10 minute response and then all of a sudden the heavens would open up and the trumpets would blare.
I think a lot has to do with the setting. A response like this isn’t really the forum to demonstrate one’s skills. I think we’d all agree Obama is a great speaker, but I don’t think he’d do much better in this format giving a 10 minute speech in response to a state of the union with no audience or crowd, no feedback, by himself in an empty room. It’s just really not the best setting to come off well. Someone mentioned how Christie Whitman in NJ once gave a response and she had the whole GOP caucus in the room with her appalauding and making it look exciting...that might me a good idea.
Also, just about anyone giving a speech right after Obama isn’t exactly gonna come off well. He’s a tough act to follow.