Not much to speak of

It’s the off-the-cuff speeches that take the most preparation.

I’ve never been a great public speaker. Come to think of it, I haven’t even been a public speaker. The last time I addressed someone in public was when I asked what aisle had mayonnaise.

But I am undeterred. Perhaps I mean undaunted. Or unhinged. Whatever. You get it.

I want to be a good speaker.

I have a lot of examples to look up to. Take Daniel Webster. I remember from school that, if nothing else, he was a great orator.

He spoke against nullification and disunion in his famous “Second Reply to Hayne,” concluding with the immort...