Earlier today C-Span2 rebroadcast a Sam Waterston reenactment of Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 Cooper Union address. The anti-slavery speech, delivered 27 February 1860 at the Great Hall of Cooper Union in New York City, is claimed to have propelled Lincoln to the presidency that year.
At the end of the performance, Waterston said it had been planned as an “experiment” and wanted feedback? Why? To see how a modern audience could handle a political speech of yore. Back in that day political speeches were a form of entertainment. Lincoln’s speech alone lasted over 1 1/2 hours, in an evening that included at least three other speakers.
Quite a contrast from today. Can you imagine a modern presidential candidate giving a 1 1/2 hour speech? And a TV network covering it? Heck, the TV networks barely devote that much to the political conventions anymore. We just don’t have the attention span as people used to have.
I agree and disagree. Al Gore’s last speech to Moveon.org was over an hour and an excellent speech. I’ve seen a definite shift in the last two years. There are more news junkies and I suspect more people willing to watch an hour and a half long speech.
Hey Arner
Shorter attention spans or more things to attract attention. In those days – no other things to do. Also candidates today are seen non-stop on CNN, etc. Lincoln had 1 1/2 hours to let those people know who what he was about
Have a great day