-A New American Century-

Recognizing a star isn’t hard. Recognizing someone who has star quality while also having the passion to ignite the dying flames of a nation is a whole other situation. When a person who comes across like they could completely shift the fabric of a nation people take notice. I took notice years back when, then Governor, Marco Rubio was considering running for President. I saw the supernova of a politician and public speaker that he was then and just recently got to meet him in person and witness a speech that excited a group of a hundred. In this paper I’m going to delve into the speech he gave, the intricacies of how he spoke, what he spoke about and how his speech affected those in attendance.

So who is Marco Rubio, and how did I get to meet him? Well, he is a United States Senator from Florida since 2011, went to school at the University of Miami Law, has a beautiful family and is part latino. With his ethnic background, political background and the valor in which he runs his life it makes him a perfect candidate for President. Which leads me to how I got to meet him. He’s running as a Republican in the 2016 Presidential Election. My grandmother worked on Mitt Romney’s campaign as did I and she has a lot of connections. Everyone here in Salt Lake who backed and supported Romney is also supporting Rubio! Which excites me because I personally had told Mr. Romney that he should pick Rubio for his running mate. He didn’t but it just comes to show how great of partners they would have made on that front. Because of that connection to Mitt Romney's supporters here in Salt Lake City I got to go to an event for Marco Rubio here. Those others in attendance included Miss America’s father, the Lieutenant Governor of Utah, U.S. Rep Mia Love, one of Mitt Romney’s sons, and a multitude of self made millionaire’s/billionaire’s. It was an honor to meet/re-meet all of these individuals.

Though the greatest honor was to be in attendance when Presidential Candidate, U.S. Representative Marco Rubio started speaking! Most of the time to use an exclamation point in a paper it must be done because of extreme excitement and with good purpose and I believe that sentence was completely valid. Rubio was introduced by Scott Keller, whose home we were at. There was no stage though stage performance was extremely important. Keller started speaking in front of the fireplace. There was a small ledge in front of the fireplace and so those speaking used that. The attendants gathered around watching and listening intently. Keller introduced Rubio, and Rubio stepped up to stand on the fireplace. If you have ever seen Marco Rubio you would know he isn’t exactly a tall man. He’s 5’10” and yet, his movement, gestures and presence brought all of those in attendance to strict attention. In “The Communication Age” by Edwards, Edwards, Wahl and Myers page 374-378 talk of the differing important means of presenting. He had no multimedia presentation or any other sort of visual aid. Only his voice, and the message of clarity and of a “New American Century”.

So what is all this about a “New American Century”? He delved into his ideas of how him and his cabinet would change the U.S.A. for good and back into a nation we can be proud of. He explained his belief on foreign policy and only momentarily spoke of President Obama’s failed one. Which is fantastic. When speaking a person running from public office can go one of two ways and really their whole campaign can go either positive and excited for the future or negative and condemning everything about the previous person in that office. Rubio, unlike all other candidates has chosen to be positive making him the most valid and exciting prospect for the Presidential post. With each sentence heads around the room nodded. Most in attendance were leaning toward Rubio for the election already but, it truly was going to take an extreme amount of persuasion and Rubio truly convincing these people that he can not only win but can bring true hope and positive change for the country. So that those people who put so much money and support toward Mitt Romney’s campaign would feel they could actually get behind Presidential Nominee Rubio. Rubio convinced not only me, but everyone in that room.

So what other than the topics helped be persuasive in this speech? Well, his Fluency for one. “Fluency refers to the smoothness of your voice. Normally we only notice speakers who are not fluid in their delivery.” (“The Communication Age”, 376) When many people speak they use vocal fillers. Words such as “Uhm”, “Well”, “Like” and “You know”. Rubio on the other hand went to law school. Speaking correctly without vocal fillers is something he had to learn. Much like I’ve tried to learn in preparation for my own going to law school. Rubio’s way of speech not only lacked vocal fillers but was indepth. His rate of speed was also fantastic. “The average rate of speech is 125-150 words”(376). Rubio kept up to that speed if not speaking slightly faster. He not only did that but did it without notes. His volume and pitch was also perfect for the room and audience. I’ve never heard a more perfect speaker in all the time I have lived. Comparable only to the great speakers of history.

I almost do not know where to end. What can I say that would further show my admiration for this man, his speaking ability and my full backing for his campaign? Well, I think I just must add that his character is valiant and his brand is one America and the American people should be able to back. He isn’t running for himself unlike many other candidates he is running for the American people. I have so much respect for this individual.

Citations Page

Edwards, Autumn, Chad Edwards, Shawn T. Wahl, and Scott A. Myers. Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging. Place of Publication Not Identified: Sage Publications, 2016. Print.