 | abichara (60)
12/22/2003 | This is strictly not about FDR's politics but about his skills as a public speaker. He was truly the master when it came down to public relations and articulating his case to the American people. He was the first President to really use the mass media of the time, radio, to go over the heads of reporters in Washington. His fireside chats allowed him to connect with the average American very well. His voice was very smooth and easy which made people feel good, even though times were very bad during the depression. All of this did not come naturally to him though. It is said that FDR would gargle for 30 minutes before a broadcast and then afterwards he would have a military aide massage his throat and vocal cords to ensure that his muscles would be completely relaxed so he wouldn't studder.
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