CONTACT:
Janet Larsen Palmer, 909-599-6900
Joanna Brody, 310-582-0085

(August 18, 2000) Los Angeles, Calif. -- Vice President Gore revealed a “warmer, more accessible Al Gore” with a powerful, well delivered speech, said a team of speech analysts at Communication Excellence Institute (CEI) in Los Angeles, Calif.

“Gore looked presidential, personable and genuine,” said Janet Larsen Palmer, Ph.D., President of CEI, “committed to his causes and full of resolve. He even enjoyed the moment, something Bush didn’t seem to achieve.

“While the speech itself may not have been as dramatic and hard-hitting as Bush’s, Gore’s revamped delivery style was a major advance for his campaign.”

CEI is a research, consulting and training firm specializing in speech coaching and presentation skills, with a particular emphasis on non-verbal communication.

Palmer said Gore used non-verbal delivery techniques to help dispel his stiff image. “He used hand gestures skillfully, gesturing from his shoulders which provides an image of power; he smiled often and broadly; he employed good eye contact, scanning the audience well; he nodded to emphasize key points and, most critical of all, he spoke at an upbeat pace, finally abandoning his slow speech pattern, which, for years, has made him sound remote, calculated and stiff.”

Palmer’s primary criticism was that “Gore did not effectively use pauses and often talked over the applause. One of the most powerful strategies is pausing to signal key ideas, which Gore has not yet mastered. He often kept talking when the effect would have been more inspirational and intense had he simply paused.

“Unlike Bush’s hard-hitting, ‘They have not led, we will,’ Gore rarely used dramatic, short sentences. In general, Gore spoke in paragraphs.”

Liesel Reinhart, CEI analyst, added that Gore used “rhetorical and non-verbal techniques to convey an aura of power. The speech and overall presentation, including Tipper’s introduction, were also effective emotionally. He telegraphed personal qualities of sincerity and humanity. His voice had a more conversational quality than in the past.”

CEI speech writer Lee Cerling, Ph.D., said the speech content also was successful. “ Acceptance speeches are like the opening moves in a world championship chess match, or the launch of a military campaign. With this speech, which reportedly he wrote entirely by himself, Gore came across as passionate, concerned, positive and confident.”

The CEI consultants also approved of Gore’s high-five entrance and long kiss with Tipper when he took the stage. “It was a show of confidence and power,” said Reinhart.

A similar analysis of Gov. Bush’s acceptance speech is also available.

Palmer and Reinhart are available for commentary throughout the election.

Please contact CEI at 800-410-4CEI(4234) or at www.talk2cei.com.