Best speaker of this election?

Public Speaking Ireland · 23-02-2011 1:51pm #1

Hi All,

Just wondering who you thought has been the best public speaker of this election?

Outside of your party favourite - who do you think showed the best speaking style in their mannerisms and ability to properly communicate their message when addressing an audience?

(Whether you loved or loathed the message)

paul71 · 23-02-2011 1:58pm

Of the party leaders Micheal Martin, then Adams, then Gilmore, then Kenny.

Funny thing is I would vote for them in the exact reverse order.

Put the best speaker in the election is non party, Eddie Hobbs, again don't agree with all he has to say, but what he says is direct, to the point and easy to understand.

Public Speaking Ireland · 23-02-2011 2:02pm

Agreed - Michael Martin is a good speaker - when Gilmore gets going on a really strong point - he can give it wellie, but it's a rarity...

Non-party leaders - Brian Lenihan (again, am with you, don't agree with the words) - but he has a really articulate and clear voice when speaking...

mikemac · 23-02-2011 2:17pm

Joan Burton

grahmkeatley · 23-02-2011 2:20pm

Michael Martin is the 'best' public speaker, in terms of his ability to dominate, direct and structure open discussion. But I have found Gormley to be the 'best' in terms of speaking with clarity and confidence.

-Graham

paul71 · 23-02-2011 2:21pm

feelingstressed wrote: »

Joan Burton

Really?

I don't know the sound of her voice really iritates me. Comes accross as preaching as opposed to reasoned discussion alot like Kenny TBH.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 23-02-2011 2:22pm

Gormley for me.

Zamboni · 23-02-2011 2:26pm

Richard Bruton.
He actually knows what he is talking about and has the ability to articulate it.

paul71 · 23-02-2011 2:28pm

OK since this seems to be aimed at competent public speakers rather than issues (which is a good light hearted change), can I ask OP about past Taoiseach?

I would rate Reynolds and Fitzgerald highly for public speaking skills, Ahern and Bruton as try harder.

Public Speaking Ireland · 23-02-2011 2:41pm

Well, Jack Lynch had great emphasis on words, clarity and articulation.

Ahern lacked strength in voice and conviction - but didn't necessarily need to do so in his position during those economic times... (Not sure even if he would be able to do so now).

Fitzgerald - yes, natural speaking style, easy flowing and rarely came across as overly rehearsed or scripted...

Public Speaking Ireland · 23-02-2011 2:44pm

Sorry for going off topic on this - I know i asked for current election party leaders - but because he's so close to this still - Cowen was a phenomenal debater.

If you remember him before heading into the role of Taoiseach - he was quick off the mark/easily able to respond to opinions and thoughts put to him.

As soon as he got into his role of Taoiseach - he proved a huge disappointment when standing up and addressing his audience where he was asked to 'deliver' a message, instead of debate it back and forth....

Tech3 · 23-02-2011 2:55pm

Leo Varadkar is a great speaker and also a good spoofer. On the leaders I would have to say Gormley.

paul71 · 23-02-2011 3:02pm

Public Speaking Ireland wrote: »

Sorry for going off topic on this - I know i asked for current election party leaders - but because he's so close to this still - Cowen was a phenomenal debater.

If you remember him before heading into the role of Taoiseach - he was quick off the mark/easily able to respond to opinions and thoughts put to him.

As soon as he got into his role of Taoiseach - he proved a huge disappointment when standing up and addressing his audience where he was asked to 'deliver' a message, instead of debate it back and forth....

Not off topic at all, good point, Cowen was a very strong debater. Jack Lynch I have watched on older TV recordings and thought he was very articulate.

Ivan Yeates is an odd one for me good pronounciation, clear but tone of his voice seems a little weak.

fred252 · 23-02-2011 3:04pm

i was impressed by gormley.

Killer Pigeon · 23-02-2011 3:10pm

feelingstressed wrote: »

Moan Burton

Well she isn't much of a speaker, more of a shouter - she's certainly the best shouter.

GSF · 23-02-2011 3:12pm

Michael Noonan in terms of fluency, ability to think on his feet and wit.

RedXIV · 23-02-2011 3:15pm

GSF wrote: »

Michael Noonan in terms of fluency, ability to think on his feet and wit.

It'd be Noonan for me too, really stood out for some reason

MaceFace · 23-02-2011 3:22pm

In order of impressiveness:

Michael Noonan,
John Gormley,
Joe Higgins

Newcomer award: Eoin O'Brion

Benbecul97 · 23-02-2011 3:28pm

Jackie Healy-Rae!:D

paul71 · 23-02-2011 3:57pm

Benbecul97 wrote: »

Jackie Healy-Rae!:D

Whose gonta pay te feed the Gondolas?

Public Speaking Ireland · 24-02-2011 10:42am

Surprised no one mentioned Pearse Doherty....

Buceph · 24-02-2011 10:46am

Gormley of the leaders. The rest are terrible.

Noonan of the rest. Although I wouldn't say he's a great orator, just a great political talker.

Cat Melodeon · 24-02-2011 11:01am

Best speaker/debater of the leaders, Adams followed by Gilmore.

As an orator, I'd go with Gilmore.

I think Enda Kenny has the charisma of a wooden spoon. Micheal Martin is too snappy and childish. Gormley always comes across well.

Of the others, Ruairi Quinn & Roisin Shortall in Lab definitely didn't get enough exposure. Bruton and Noonan in FG did well. Hannafin always lectures and scolds rather than speaks.

gent9662 · 24-02-2011 11:16am

I think Richard Bruton is the best speaker. Shame he is not leading FG into government. If he was I would think FG would have an overall majority

Permabear · 24-02-2011 11:35am

This post has been deleted.

Shelga · 24-02-2011 1:14pm

I think Richard Bruton and John Gormley come across as the most intelligent, gentlemanly speakers. Agree that Bruton should be the leader of FG. I dislike Micheal Martin- there's just something incredibly slimy about his whole demeanour.

analucija · 24-02-2011 1:59pm

Noonan and Richard Boyd Barrett (for somebody who makes so little sense, he is very easy to listen to).

Adrian009 · 24-02-2011 2:10pm

Public Speaking Ireland wrote: »

Hi All,

Just wondering who you thought has been the best public speaker of this election?

Outside of your party favourite - who do you think showed the best speaking style in their mannerisms and ability to properly communicate their message when addressing an audience?

(Whether you loved or loathed the message)

For me it was a three-way tie of (in no particular order) Noonan, Pearse Doherty and Enda Kenny. Ignored FF because I hate them after what they've done to the country.

DJCR · 24-02-2011 3:31pm

Best Leader - Micheal Martin.

Enda Kenny - Apparently has a 5 point plan and can't make an assumption two days ahead of an election, how has he planned for the future if he can't see the obvious - won't answer any questions either.

Eamonn Gilmore - He's just been so dissapointing, thought he was going to be so much better.

Otherwise, best speakers include (IMO) P.Doherty (don't agree with his views but he speaks with conviction), Bruton (Though his gaff the other night about not being the "figures" guy was funny) & Ming Flanagan !!

Poor Craythur · 24-02-2011 5:55pm

I thought Michelle Mulherin spoke well on radio yesterday. But I am giving her my number one so I accept that my view might be a bit biased.

Eureka_Bg · 24-02-2011 6:03pm

Michael Noonan, by a country mile!

Flimbos · 24-02-2011 6:13pm

For me the best speakers were Richard Bruton and Michael Noonan.

I don't get how people found Michéal Martin to be a good speaker. I thought he came across as aggressive and arrogant.

Poor Craythur · 24-02-2011 6:15pm

Tech3 wrote: »

Leo Varadkar is a great speaker and also a good spoofer. On the leaders I would have to say Gormley.

No, I really dislike Varadkar, comes across as an arrogant, smarmy twunt.

GSF · 24-02-2011 6:16pm

Flimbos wrote: »

I don't get how people found Michéal Martin to be a good speaker. I thought he came across as aggressive and arrogant.

I found Pearse Doherty a bit too agressive also. He's clearly quite intelligent but his lack of acceptance that others points might ocassionally have some validity too seems to be his main weakness.

the groutch · 24-02-2011 6:23pm

Joe Higgins (til he got harangued by JB)

Best speaker of this election?

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