Capturing the ‘moment’ to win, not to fail

“Lend Me Your Ears”
(Updated and Expanded Edition
By William Safire
W. W. Norton & Company, 2004


The attention of the entire country continues to be riveted on the speech of apology of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, delivered recently over nationwide television. What the speech sought to achieve, when the Head of State said “sorry” over what are now called the “Garci tapes” was not, however, achieved.

Instead of assuaging the feelings of both her disappointed allies and unrelentingly acerbic critics -- the speech triggered a series of rambunctious and chaotic Congressional hearings and emboldened a lynch mob with even shriller voices crying for her resignation.

The mishandling (?) also planted a poisoned idea to politicians with moist eyes for the threatened Presidency and for a Senate seat two years from now, and prompted an unflappable Susan Roces to give vent to pent up emotions with uncharacteristic bravado – thus leaving the rest of us wondering what went wrong. And asking: What could have gone right?

Observers were wondering why the Palace, with its vast information resources at its command, could not even muster a phone brigade programmed to provide support to the President right after her “confession.” In fact, the confession was totally unnecessary, but the Palace committee of wordsmiths woefully stumbled all over to string together contradictory statements, needless absolute statements, and a sophomoric line: “I will serve you to the best of my ability.”

Those of you who still doubt the power of rhetoric to make or break a political career or to espouse or frustrate an idea must now be convinced that a careless phrase thrown into a speech invites disaster.

Some observers volunteered the insight that the Palace wordsmiths patterned the GMA speech after the apology of Bill Clinton concerning his links and acts of indiscretion with Monica Lewinsky. If they did, they committed a grievous wrong failing to note the contrasting contexts between Bill’s very private act at the Oval Office and Gloria’s very public act speaking to the arbiter of a Presidential election.

And, if you read Clinton’s speech (the delivered version), you would note the deft hand of seasoned rhetorician. This brings me to speak to you about “Lend Me Your Ears,” a book that I picked out at a cozy bookstore, Ink & Stone. This is actually the updated and expanded edition of “Great Speeches in History” selected by noted rhetoric expert and writer William Safire. The earlier edition was published in 1983.

Editor Safire says in his “introductory address” in this book: “What makes a great speech? Occasion. There comes a dramatic moment in the life of a person or a party or a nation that cries out for the uplift and release of a speech. Someone is called upon to articulate the hope, pride, or grief of all… Some great occasions are frittered away with pedestrian addresses.”

If you have a copy of the President’s speech, and you get hold of the “delivered version” of Clinton’s piece, you will note similarities – and contrasts. One difference is this calibrated phrase from Clinton: “I know that my public comments and my silence about this matter gave a false impression. I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that.” Isn’t it clear that Clinton is apologizing about the consequences of his silence? Compare that with the lachrymose phrasing of GMA’s speech -- “Pinagsisihan ko ito ng lubos,” not even making clear what she is repenting of.

The book also includes the “undelivered” version of the Clinton apology which the former American President had the good sense to reject it. GMA’s contrite speech sounds like this other speech – not thanks to her advisers.

Three undelivered speeches are actually featured in this anthology of 1,156 pages, plus rhetorical pieces classified as memorials and patriotic speeches, war and revolution rhetorical classics, tributes and eulogies, debates and argumentation, trials, gallows and farewell speeches, sermons, inspirational speeches, lectures and instructive speeches, talks on social responsibility, media speeches, political pieces, and commencement addresses.

The speeches date to as far back as the time of Pericles years before Christ and as recent as Tony Blair’s spirited exhortation to fight terrorism right after 9/11. The “moment” cited by Author Safire has been captured by the masters of the spoken word. And when such a moment is “seized,” the speaker is rewarded – if not public support in his time and generation – with a special place in history. And be anthologized to join the ranks of “great speeches” and compelling speakers.

This book, obviously, is a timely read for Palace insiders. Executives in the corporate world can also keep this thick book handy when the moment comes to rally the corporate troops – not with a bland memo – with a soul-stirring speech.