To a large degree, the success of Obama's presidential run so far has been built on his skills as a speechmaker. It was his speech to the Democratic convention four years ago, before he had even entered the Senate, that propelled him into the national spotlight.

"He is blessed with a richly resonant voice that we love to hear; he could read the telephone directory and it would sound good," said Ted Widmer, editor of an acclaimed edition of American political speeches and a former Bill Clinton speechwriter. "He is very good at pauses and inflection, and he cuts an impressive figure on stage - all of which adds up to making an Obama speech a special event." LINK