I was wandering on web for speech writing help and found your website; it was a relief because I have got all the information now.

Changed my mind? I dunno, maybe framed my thinking even a century later such as the Gettysburg Address, or molded it as with Kennedy's Inaugural or his speech on race or even LBJ's "We shall overcome" but, LBJ also wins on changing my mind, with his bowing out of his reelection, about him.

As already stated on these pages, Obama's policy addresses, in The Audacity of Hope, c put me to sleep; probably a good thing. His race speech, his health care speech and this one, only confirmed ideas I already held.

Dear Bob Mondello,

I found your piece on presidential speeches too harsh. I listen carefully to President Obama's speeches because they are thoughtful, reasoned, detailed. While I don't agree with all his actions, I feel that he speaks to the nation as an intelligent body. Regarding the nation as intelligent is a profoundly democratic impulse.

Much of the media, on the other hand, over-simplify a situation or action, as if it were a play and the politicians characters. For instance, there is little in-depth coverage of legislation (except for very large bills), in a period when many bills are being worked on. It is so frustrating to hear a snippet before or after the vote. If the media doesn't cover these important actions, they (and, so we) are left with the soap opera of political play. Bob, your show is usually so much fun, don't get caught in bubble!

P.S. How many people did listen to President Obama's speech?

The interview with George Edwards III.
I find it ironic that a show called "On the Media" is airing a story that proposes there is no measurable public response to Presidential speeches.
What you are actually doing is reporting on a theory-and a professor at Texas A&M who feels he has info to support that theory.
I hope you are planning to follow up with other theories that offer data quite to the contrary.
I will add my data to the mix
Presidential Speeches, Sermons and Military declarations are very important in public life and in my own life. I really watch and listen to them and have responded many times. Our Democratic form of government is founded on speeches. People camp out to hear them, they discuss them, they heed them, at least the people I hang out with.
You may not understand the perspective of an A&M Professor. A&M is not famed for politics nor for the oral tradition but it is the home of a Presidentail Library-concrete proof that words make history.
I have tremendous respect for A&M and understand that talking can be a lot of hot air when you have horses to foal, and ROTC cadets to train. It's culture is more focused on "doing" and not "talking" and I respect that very much.
But just a we wouldn't ask a Harvard professor how to clone a sheep, don't give a professor of an agricutral college the final say on the topic of speeches and their effect on public behavior. This is a great opening volley, but will not win against the tradition of free speech.
Please do more research on this topic. Thank you.