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The White House has an entire office devoted to protocol, led by the social secretary, to oversee every White House function from bill signings to state dinners.
So what’s the protocol when it comes to giving a speech in the rain? Well, that depends on just how much rain is in the forecast.
Torrential downpours and crashing thunder at Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois yesterday (literally) drowned out President Obama’s Memorial Day remarks.
Politico reports Obama was “huddled under a white tent off to the side of the stage as the rain drove down.” Holding an umbrella, he told service members and their families in attendance, “‘We are a little bit concerned about lightening. This may not be safe.’”
When it was clear the rain wasn’t a passing summer storm, the president canceled the speech and instead visited with audience members inside parked busses.
Of course the president was already under attack for another more serious breach of protocol: shirking his national responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief in favor of a little weekend-getaway back home.
Today, the social secretary just may be looking into some sturdier umbrellas.
Last fall, Clark S. Judge appeared on Norwegian television to discuss President Obama’s speeches from the 2008 campaign. He addresses the role of speech writing in a campaign environment and other important factors that anyone communicating with varied audiences across multiple mediums should keep in mind.
Surveys have found that, for most people, fear of public speaking exceeds fear of death. How does one in its grip deal with this fear? Former Microsoft executive and current professional speak Scott Berkum says just keep in mind that your audience dreads listening to you. They expect to be bored silly, so they won’t be disappointed if they are. For a witty review of his new book, Confessions of a Public Speaker, read this article.