Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the former head of Goldman Sachs, has had a very successful career in business. He has earned hundreds of millions of dollars as a savvy investor and deal maker but he just cannot give a good speech. In the face of the most significant financial crisis since the Great Depression, Paulson could not convince the Congress nor the American public that this crisis required unprecedented governmental intervention into the U.S. economy.

Bernanke Fumbles Also

Ben Bernanke, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, is a brilliant economist, but just like Paulson was unable to mobilize support for the $700 billion Troubled Asset Recovery Plan (TARP). In the midst of crisis, Bernanke’s words failed to persuade. Bernanke is one of the leading experts on the Great Depression. Despite his wisdom, he could not explain why the TARP initiative was the right approach to addressing the current crisis.

Bush Stumbles and Mumbles

President George Bush is also inept in when it comes to explaining the crisis and outlining his solutions. When President Bush has spoken during the times that U.S. financial markets are open, it seems that the stock averages decline in value. While, Bush has never been a great speaker, in the waning days of his presidency he seems disinterested.

Why Words Matter

During the bruising campaign for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Senator Hillary Clinton was fond of saying that she had a record and Senator Obama has a speech. Senator Clinton was late in understanding the importance of a good speech. Many commentators say that if she had given the speeches she gave at the end of her campaign earlier, she might have won. Sometimes people need to hear good words.

Especially, in times of rapid change and crisis, people yearn for information, direction, and inspiration. For many people the words used in their religious services help them confront the challenges of daily life. When we graduate from high school or college words in ceremonies send us off to new adventures. When we retire, we get a gold watch and good words, and when we die, good words comfort and console those we leave behind.

Presidents and Good Words

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We often remember and judge U.S. Presidents by the words they have uttered in times of crisis. From Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln to FDR, JFK and most recently Reagan and Clinton the words they used to explain and inspire frame their legacies. Their words were bridges from a troubled present to a more hopeful future.

In the Presidential campaign of 2008, words have been Senator Obama’s best friend and Senator McCain’s difficult acquaintance. Tens of thousands of people continue to endure long lines and metal detectors to hear Senator Obama speak. Until Senator McCain began appearing with his running mate Governor Palin, his audiences were small and polite.

Americans are clamoring for more explanation and more inspiration. In a time when the American economy seems to be spiraling downward people want to be convinced that there are brighter days to come.

In the second Presidential Debate held in Nashville , Senator Obama was able to explain in less than two minutes to why the TARP program was important to average Americans better than Paulson, Bernanke, or Bush have ever been able to do.

Senator Obama’s rising poll numbers are not only due to the economic downtown, but also because the Illinois Senator can explain, inform and inspire.