This video of Gov. Bill Richardson talking about his energy plan is interesting because it illustrates what an unconvincing job he often does when talking to a camera.
Richardson is brilliant in one-on-one settings or crowds. He’s mediocre in debates. When he’s talking to a camera, he’s often horrible.
I’m assuming that’s because Richardson takes so many cues from the facial expressions and other non-verbal communication of those around him.
If you watch this video, it will be clear that Richardson is reading off cue cards. His voice and face lack emotion. Listening to him say, “My plan is bold and aggressive – a real man-on-the-moon plan,” with no energy is not only unconvincing, it’s uninspiring – the opposite of the John F. Kennedy image he’s trying to invoke. I can picture John Edwards or Barack Obama saying the same thing, and they would look excited about the world-changing program they are proposing.
I can hear it now: “But Heath, I’m not a rock star.” True, but one important aspect of being presidential is having the ability to inspire. Richardson can do it when he’s talking to small groups, which works fine in a small state like New Mexico. As president, he’s going to be talking to cameras a lot.
I can’t picture Richardson, speaking the way he does on this video, addressing the nation from the Oval Office. Can he do better?
This video of Gov. Bill Richardson talking about his energy plan is interesting because it illustrates what an unconvincing job he often does when talking to a camera.