Political expert examines Romney's RNC speech


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Updated: 8/31/2012 9:54 pm | Published: 8/31/2012 6:53 pm
Reported by: Noah Bond
"He was perceived as being likeable and compassionate to a considerable extent more than he had ever done before and that is why I think he did indeed accomplish the goal of giving the best speech of his life," -Tim Chambless

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - ABC 4 spoke with Tim Chambless who works in the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah to break apart Gov. Mitt Romney's verbal language as he accepted the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

He gives Romney's speech either an A minus or a B plus.

He says the speech was good, but it didn't reach the monumental heights Martin Luther King or President Obama can hit.

Chambless said Romney's acceptance speech has one main goal, "It's to humanize him."

Romney's story about his father placing a rose on his mother’s bedside every morning touched an obvious nerve with his Republican audience.

"It's also to evoke pathos.  It's an emotional appeal.  It succeeded it got people very teary eyed.  The camera went to the audience. You saw people who were teary eyed whose hands were to their faces," said Chambless.

He continued talking about his wife Ann and their five boys.

"He was perceived as being likeable and compassionate to a considerable extent more than he had ever done before and that is why I think he did indeed accomplish the goal of giving the best speech of his life," said Chambless.

Romney's speech moved on shedding doubt on President Obama's leadership to win undecided voters.

He eluded President Obama's campaign promises were too grandiose and subtly suggested that he is the more practical candidate by comparing President Obama's promised in 2008 to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the earth to his promise -- make life easier for families.

"Romney says OK.  I'm going to be simply realistic.  I'm going to lower the expectations and deliver on something I can indeed provide you," said Chambless.

As for Romney's weaknesses Chambless said, "He did not make a major blunder.”

"Minor blunders?" asked ABC 4's Noah Bond.

"If he had more time he would have been more visionary," said Chambless.

"We didn't talk about the unprecedented problems that his opponent inherited and which we are still struggling with today.  He didn't specify a vision for the future exactly what he's going to do," said Chambless.  "He did not mention Afghanistan.  He indicated that he had solutions, but he didn't specify what they were."

Despite these perceived weaknesses -- Romney left his audience on their feet and inspired to at least dream for a better future.

President Obama speaks to the nation next week.  Chambless says this gives him a large advantage.


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Gretel - 9/1/2012 11:50 AM
0 Votes
I try to keep an open mind and evaluate the candidates but there was so much crap during the RNC my mouth was open in disbelief a lot of the time. The thing that I felt was the absolutely most insulting thing I heard was about Romney's father putting a rose on the bed for his mother every morning. Where did he get a rose every single morning? How did he get it there every single morning, apparently without her knowledge. All I heard were TV preachers (Joel Osteen came to mind because he has a heartwarming story for everything)pandering, or Candidate Romney and his speechwriters actually believing the American public is so stupid as to believe this spew. I'm way better than that. Can't wait for the DNC to top that.

dregstudios - 8/31/2012 7:43 PM
0 Votes
If lying is a sin then Mitt Romney’s Magic Mormon Underpants are on FIRE! How can any intelligent American vote for a man clouded in secrecy who habitually bends the truth? Income inequality is endangering the Middle Class and making paupers of us all who don’t have those millions upon millions of dollars. Read more about the role of Romney’s riches in this election and the power of his sacred undergarments at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/05/mitt-romneys-magic-mormon-underwear.html The working class of our country can’t AFFORD to allow this election to be bought and sold!
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