"Eloquence is patronizing". So, he should not be eloquent but talk in mixed metaphors, half sentences, run on sentences with no object, split infinitives, slang, "gee Whiz" uterances, et al... Well , I guess he might win some of SP's constituency that way - go for not the lowest common denominator but the lowest now there's Change ! - David HC Soul

Uh, I think Cee meant that McCain saying that is kinda patronizing. - Jordan Hofker

yeah he speaks well, but why does mccain point it out? it's like saying he speaks really well for a black man. that's what pops up in my head. i don't know, maybe it's just me, but i know it's not - Cee Bee

McCain being passive-aggressive - MLx

+1 Marianne - Susan Beebe

Yes, but it may backfire because Obama IS eloquent. - Bonnie Dean

+1 Cee Bee - Karim

You Betcha - Eric P

He was trying to paint Obama as a slick-willy, that it's all rhetoric. That was some bad advice, imho, from his political consultants. Obama is really clear and has a great direct style, I don't think anyone thinks he's being "professorial" as the pundits paint him. - anna sauce

McCain was trying to add distance by calling Obama "eloquent" - thus pushing votes away from Joe the Plumber / six pack demographic - Susan Beebe

If there really is a portion of voters that's turned off by eloquence, would using the description "eloquent and professorial" really make them sit up and take notice? Joe the Plumber: "He's right! I am disinclined to utilize my franchise for the advancement of someone possessing such facility for elocution. I like straight talk." - David Muir

Agreed. - orionstarr

A leader should be eloquent. Being anything less is an insult. - Mike Reynolds

@Mike - agreed. We've been insulted/assaulted for 8 years with in-eloquence. - JoEllen

I would rather have eloquence than this: http://cli.gs/3P3rVs - Blake N. Cooper

I'm sorry, but I want my elected officials to be elitist and eloquent. They should be better than me and all the Joe Plumbers and Hockey Moms. Give them all the arugula they want, I say. - Bonnie Dean

@ Bonnie - you forgot about the lattes. Give 'em all the lattes they want. - JoEllen

We've experimented with governance by stupidity for 8 years now. I think we can say with some certainty that it didn't work very well. - Victor Ganata

+100, Bonnie. - Cheryl Jones