The Norm! - At various

The Norm! - At various times in the history of this Blog, I've mentioned my love of good public speaking. Our Senate race between incumbent ultraliberal Paul Wellstone and neocon challenger Norm Coleman puts the contrast between the Haves and Have Nots, public speaking-wise, into sharp contrast.

Did you hear Wellstone's acceptance speech at the DFL convention? He shouted himself hoarse. It was like listening to an adenoidal Mussolini. Dreadful.

Coleman is a slickster of the first order. But his speech was like his mayoral record: smooth, slick, effortlessly gliding over spots that would have sunk a less proficient political animal.

Even if the speaking styles were reversed, I'd still vote for Coleman on policy grounds. But it'll be nice having a Senator that's not painful to listen to...