It was the best of times. It was the worst of times A Tale of Two Cities

Statisticians are familiar with the Law of Large Numbers, the Central Limit Theorem, and regression to the mean. Reasonable people understand that the truth is usually something in between the extremes.

Political speech, on the other hand, is replete with hyperbole and exaggeration.

In a recent posting, political commentator Chris Cillizza asks Was Joe Biden was the best president ever? Or was he the worst?. His conclusion, that Biden was somewhere in between rings true. Biden was very effective in making things happen (legislation and international negotiation) but not so good at delivering inspiring messages the nation (oratory and political speech).

Checking the election clock at https://www.270towin.com/2024-countdown-clock/

Just 101 days before election day, November 5, 2024.

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.

Ask not what your country can do for you, but for what you can do for your country.

We do not live in blue states or red states… but in the United States of America.

Inspiring words from inspiring speakers. Political Speech

Donald Trump is an entertainer, previously an effective communicator, now in decline. We can expect further problems as he ages, even in the days before the election. Trump’s 90-minute acceptance speech at the RNC is a case in point. The message was poor (and misguided). The delivery was worse.

A week ago, many may have known Kamala Harris to be the vice president, but few knew about her exceptional background and skills. Now people see that Harris is a disciplined, effective, and (yes) inspirational speaker.

The list of exceptional Democratic Party orators is long, including FDR, Adlai Stevenson, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Harris has the ability to move into that list. She is getting better with every public appearance.

People of all ages look to our leaders for inspiration. We are finally seeing it.

The message is distinct from the delivery.