Feeds: 
symbol identifies content for paid subscribers only.
CUDDLY MCCAIN.
The content of McCain's speech is basically what you'd expect, but the delivery is really peculiar. His voice is artificially high, he's grinning more frequently then usual, his tone is jumping octaves to soften the end of his sentences. It's a cuddly, almost delicate delivery, as if he were reading a storybook to really young children. It's extremely disconcerting.
COMMENTS (8)
His smiling is disturbingly smug , especially after he mocks Obama. I think his smugness will turn off a lot of people.
Posted by: Another Ezra | June 3, 2008 8:59 PM
He's also stumbling over words a lot. More than usual, it seems. And he's giggled at his own punchlines a couple of times.
Posted by: Brooklynite | June 3, 2008 9:02 PM
He reminded me of a slightly-less-cranky Andy Rooney.
Posted by: Toast | June 3, 2008 9:05 PM
Yes, the speech as written was bad enough, but I was amazed at the delivery. Like you said, it sounded like he was reading a story to his grandchildren (and then the big bad wolf Obama took your tax dollars away!).
And the lighting and background did his skin tone no favors. He looked much older than 72. I shudder to think what that looked like in HD.
Posted by: Chuck | June 3, 2008 10:59 PM
Every time he says "my friend," I expect him to show me a rug.
Special price, my friend!
Posted by: anonymous | June 3, 2008 11:31 PM
I thought he was trying to mimic Reagan, the softer tone and gentle delivery. But that tone is so far from McCain in the town hall meetings, where he is effective, that it sounded completely artificial. He needs to be careful with these tonal changes, he's getting close to the Al Gore caricature from 2000 - the whole "earth tones"/flip flopping argument.
Posted by: JohnR CMH | June 4, 2008 12:54 AM
Well put. I have the feeling with McCain-as-nominee that he's stuck between two personas - the leader of gravitas and sobriety, and the cheeky antic chuckler he like to be.
http://marbury.typepad.com
Posted by: Marbury | June 4, 2008 3:45 AM
"Cuddly" delivery style -- you nailed it! Now I know who he reminds me of -- Teddy Ruxpin!
Posted by: Leebot | June 4, 2008 1:26 PM