That Spark of Connection

Michelle Obama spoke for fifteen minutes at the Democratic Convention.   It was great, now.

Michelle Obama said "don't let anyone every tell you this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again, because this right now is the greatest country on earth."

Inspiring

Her theme was the example set for her daughters which allowed her, without ever mentioning Trump's name, to make the case that Trump was unsuitable and unpresidential.

Hint at Trump the bully:   "We explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level.  No, our motto is: 'When they go low, we go high.'"

Hint at Trump the untrustworthy:  "Because when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can't make snap decisions.  You can't have a thin skin or tendency to lash out.  You need to be steady and measured and well informed."

The speech said the right things, and said them very well,  but that was not what made it great.   What made it great was that Michelle Obama connected emotionally.  She appeared to speak from her heart.  I believed her.  I did not doubt that her thoughts and words reflected her very self.  She makes me wish I could vote for her.  I would trust her judgement.

I do not know how or what a person does in order to connect emotionally with people, but Michelle Obama has it. What it eye contact?   Was it something in her voice?  Whatever it is, she did it.  It is a gift, the ability to connect.   See it yourself here:  Click here to watch her speech

"Not a natural politician"

I have seen and heard Hillary Clinton up close five times.   Hillary can connect emotionally, but does not do so in her speeches, not at the world class level necessary in a presidential campaign.   But she seemed very genuine in a handshake meet and greet in Portland Oregon and again accommodating my selfie in New Hampshire.  Speaking spontaneously she was at her most winsome when she said a simple truth at the Univision sponsored debate.  She lowered he eyes and showed a bit of helpless frustration:  "I'm not a natural politician, in case you haven't noticed, like my husband or President Obama."   You'll see:   Click here for 45 seconds of Hillary   

And Hillary is right.   She is not a natural politician.   But she perseveres, she says, knowing she just has to work harder to attempt to do the work she tries to do.   Her speeches do not connect in the way that Michelle Obama's did.   Except sometimes Hillary does connect, when unscripted, for example right there in that 45 minute comment, where she admits her disappointment and flaw. 

Hillary Clinton enters this race with substantial assets.  She is experienced.  She is understood to be an understandable center-left politician.  Her general election opponent has offended over half the electorate.  But seeing Michelle Obama's speech reveals a flaw that may be decisive in this election.   

There is the simple truth from my observation: Hillary Clinton does make the emotional connection as well in speeches as do some of her political peers in this very Big League arena.   Some of them are her allies and supporters.  

But one of them is Trump, who connects even when he says things a great many people find shockingly objectionable, and connection may be more important than content.