Re: US Presidential Election 2016
Reply #292 –
Impressive oratory works in the US but not in Australia. Going to an Obama rally in 2008 or 2012 must have really been something. He captivated his crowds with his soaring and inspirational rhetoric. But if Obama had grown up in Australia, he would have been told he was being a wanker.
Imagine thousands of people turning out to listen to Bill or Malcolm. It just doesn't happen.
It used to work in Australia. Bob Menzies was quite an orator and would fill town halls with ease.
Our current batch of politicians are focused on slogans and are terrified of saying anything that might stray off message. I think it's a product of the rise of political minders and strategists.
I can only think of a couple of genuine inspirational speeches; Keating's Redfern speech (written by Don Watson) and Julia Gillard's off the cuff misogyny speech.
Rhetoric is not an Aussie strength but your average Septic is quite comfortable holding forth on any subject (apart from some of those beauty pageant contestants!).