Easily the best of the 20th century, and no one today is even close to his league. I do not like Hitler, but I can admit that he was a great orator. I do not like Al Sharpton, but I can admit that he is a gifted speaker. Even Obama is decent- so long as he is on script and/ or the telepromter is on. Again we see that there is no such objectivity on the other side.

This reminds me of a part I once played, an Alzheimer's-ridden bullsh*t artist with his finger over the trigger of the nuclear arsenal, advised by palm readers and astrologists.  An absolute enemy of working people, I did more for the rich than anyone in American history until some other imbecile came along 20 years later and topped my performance en route to destroying the national economy.  Clueless as to best manage the imperilist efforts of this country in the Middle East, I was directly responsible for hundreds of body bags arriving in this country, each bearing the remains of what was once a vital young man.  Yet, I proved that Americans are suckers for BS spread thick, hot and steaming, straight from the oven.

Solid, but better one on one with the camera than on the stump. His state of the Union addresses were excellent, in oratorical terms, his live speeches were mediocre.

So many words come to mind, but to name a few, sharp, candid and adroit.

He didn't get the name "The Great Communicator"  for nothing.  Spoke straight to the people.  You knew what you were getting.

The greatest in history.

My friend edt4 can't quite separate Reagan's ideology from his abilities as a great Orator. His harshest critics give him high marks for mastering the spoken word, and rightly so...

Probably the only thing he had going for him was his ability to convincingly read what others had written for him and make it sound like he actually knew what he was talking about. Reagan's so-called avuncular charm and wit were always lost on me, but I would have to concede that these qualitites must in fact have been real, as so many otherwise intelligent and informed people lapped up the specious political drool this failed B-actor disseminated. Too bad he didn't have intelligence, truthfulness or compassion to go along with his oratorical skills.

I can say Reagan was definitely one of the very best orators during my lifetime and history will record him equally as favorably.

A GREAT speaker.Truly inspiring.Self deprecating sense of humor.100% sincere.

I think if all he ever did was give a speech a year, this guy would still have been president. He had boundless polish and charm when he spoke, coupled with an earnestness that appeals to all Americans.

For the first part of his presidency, he was one of the best in history. As someone who opposed his presidency with a passion, I was frustrated at his ability to manipulate the issues. But, intending no disrespect whatsoever, I think he started to have episodes of altzeimer's late in the first term. I think he had a moderate bout of it in the first debate with Mondale, where he was clobbered. Give Mondale his due - he was an excellent debater and until the second 1984 debate where the panel asked Reagain about his age and Reagan came up with the one liner of the decade (re his opponent's youth and inexperiences - Mondale has since said his chances vanished that instant), Mondale had never lost a campaign debate. But some of those answers in the first debate showed a serious cognitive difficulty. Lucky for him and the GOP, nobody was paying attention.

Did you people listen to the same guy as me? A great orator? His best gift was ignoring criticism and tough questions. . .I admired his stubborness but you've got to be kidding me when you claim he's a great speaker.

A great speaker, didn't beat around the bush and never pretended to be anything other than what he was. He was a conservative and never hid that fact. He was elected just for that reason, you knew what you were getting.

Not so great.

spoke from his heart.