Analysis of George Pataki Via Ciceros the Orator

Cicero presents three main characters of Good Speaking; lofty and majestic; simple and easy; and the middle kind of orator (Cicero). After suffering through twenty-four minutes of mind-numbingly boring political rhetoric, it became clear that George Pataki would never be accused of Good Speaking, but if he must be categorized, it would be in Cicero’s simple and easy category because Governor Pataki speaks rather “clear and openly” (Cicero) and he does demonstrate just a few of the qualities Cicero looks for in the perfect orator.  

        When Cicero first begins to express the qualities of the perfect orator he makes the point that “the taste of the audience…has always governed and directed…the Speaker” (Cicero). In Governor Pataki’s announcement of his 2016 presidential bid he begins by addressing a small group of Latinos in the audience in Spanish, which draws some mild cheers (YouTube 1:10). Here Gov. Pataki shows he understands who is in his audience and this tactic draws immediate applause.

        Another trait when looking for the perfect orator, according to Cicero, is “to be thoroughly acquainted with the sources of argument and proof” (Cicero), meaning to speak only to facts and not theories that may or may not have been proven correct. In his announcement Gov. Pataki didn’t delve into political theory or ideas but mostly stuck to the facts concerning his view of the issues surrounding the American people today (YouTube).

        Cicero then goes in to detail about the importance of Eloquence in an orator’s delivery. After watching Gov. Pataki it became clear he was not someone typically considered eloquent, however, Cicero says “different natures and dispositions have given rise to different kinds of Elocution” so in his own way as simple and easy speaker, Gov. Pataki could be considered eloquent.  He also delivers “with regular, and measured intervals, and frequent stops, and pauses” (Cicero), which Cicero determines to be acceptable for a good speaker.

        George Pataki is not by any means a great orator like some notable presidential candidates of years past, however he does demonstrate some of the characteristics presented by Cicero in his letter to Brutus. And while his style as a speaker may not be universally popular across the Nation he can still do well to influence the people of New York because he understands that particular audience much better.

Works Cited

Cicero. Cicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker. Cicero. Project Gutenberg. Web. 15 Nov 2011