One of the worst public speakers (by his own admission) to ever hold office was Thomas Jefferson. Somehow he managed. Knowing what you believe and standing for principle is often enough to earn the respect of the American people. On the other hand, no amount of glibness will overcome the lack of a spine.

We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.