Week 5 Question 2: What is it about good speakers?

I believe that the President of United States Barack Obama is one of the world's best speakers. His strongest characteristics as a speaker would have to be credibility, attractiveness, and power. He's got everything going for him! Credibility refers to expertness and trustworthiness. Obama does not have so much of the expertness because he was not even in the Senate for more than two years. He's still very new and young to being a political leader let alone be the Presidents of the US. But Obama does have trustworthiness. People seem to have trust in Obama that he will do the right thing to the nation. Well at least I have trust in him. The reason being is that he has not done anything for me to not trust him. Obama was very transparent during his campaign and I know he understands my struggles because he was a common man just like everyone else. Because he has credibility, it is easier for me and many others to be influenced and educated by him. Obama may not know everything about politics but I can surely trust on him to be honest and real. Obama's speeches build up his credibility the more he gives them. The more that people hear him speak, the more people will see that Obama comes prepared and ready to deliver his message effectively. To be honest, I was a Hilary Clinton supporter and I really wanted to see her win. But once Obama won the primaries, I began to tune in to Obama a lot more and he grew on me with the way he spoke to the people. Because I was able to see him speak for a couple of times, he was able to build his credibility through his communication tactics.

Attractiveness is divided into four dimensions: familiarity, similarity, physical attractiveness, and liking.
Obama is also very attractive and young. It has been said that the more attractive a speaker is, the more effective he or she will be. I truly agree with that because I am more attracted to watching an attractive speaker. (Laughing right now). It's very shallow, I know. But let's be honest, people are considered attractive because they attract people's attention with their looks or personality. Well Obama attracts me with his look, age, and personality. His personality would actually be m ore of a liking dimension within attractiveness. Many news reporters call Obama, very likable. He's down to earth, relaxed, and very in tune with the young America. I think that's also why a lot of young adult love him. He can dance, he can play along, and he can joke.

Before taking the President position, Obama did not have much power or strong background of being a leader. He delivered good speeches because of his other skills f communication, but not power. He only recently gained power because he became the U.S. President. With such title, he has power to award people, to take away things, to have information, and to be a figure of authority. He has all of those power simply because he is the U.S. President. He doesn't have complete power though because he is balanced by the Senate and House of Representative. He still has power to influence and gain trust from the American people.