iOS app Android app More  Howard Fine   What Caused Bobby
Jindal's Speech to Be a Disaster?  Posted: 02/26/09 10:39 AM ET
I would like to examine from my perspective as an acting coach,
the reason Bobby Jindal's speech did not work. I have heard a
great many theories espoused and none of them actually addresses
the root of what made him seem so inauthentic in his prepared
remarks and why he comes off better in live interviews. It comes
down to the difference between "How and Why."  In life we have
thoughts and feelings and then we find the words to express
those thoughts and feelings. It is a straight line. In acting as
in public speaking, we start with the words. What should the
great actor and the great orator do? They should find the
thoughts feelings that make them need to say these words. In
short they should find The Why.  What is a common mistake? It is
focusing on The How. The actor or orator in this case is
thinking about How to make the speech effective. If you supply
the Why, The How takes care of