Dear Sen. Clinton, I would like you to—

    —turn around three times and click your heels, saying “There’s no place like the White House … There’s no place like the White House … There’s no .. (etc. etc….)” But the magic will only operate to get you out of the magic city of Oz and “home” again in a place you once called home, only if you are truly transformed by doing some things differently.

There is much in your presentation that can be firmed up, and should be because I would like you to give Sen. Obama an opponent that will be his equal in some things. I like you both, as do millions of others. I wanted to split my vote at the caucus. Mainly I want to hear the issues debated again, with increased intensity of focus, to sharpen my perception of your differences on the issues. And I DO want an articulate and eloquent President, for a change, if I am going to have to listen to her/him for one or two terms. Sen. Obama already has the “words” pretty good. I enjoy his speaking very much. I am old enough that one of you may be my last president. I want it to be a pleasure to listen, not a grinding ordeal.

First, when you speak to a crowd, stop the aimless meandering about the stage. Take firm postures here, then there. Be fully aware of how you stand and confront the issues as you confront the voters.

Second, stop the undefined gestures, the limp, aimless waving of the hands. If you can, put on a wireless mike pinned to your dress to get away from having to handle the mike.

Third, stop shouting into the microphone. Let it do the job of amplification while your voice speaks in a normal tone.

Fourth, regarding the voice, lower the pitch to a contralto, getting away from the screaming Mimi type. As I have said before, Obama has a pleasant baritone.

Fifth, do not continue to wave at familiar faces in the crowd, putting your presentation on an interpersonal basis. Do that later, after you have spoken. For the speaking moment, you are elevating your address to everybody in the nation. And you do not need to be smiling all the time.

Sixth, do not minify, play down, underestimate the “words” of the speech, as I was very disappointed to hear you do. What the President does is what all teachers do: communicate. Words are the stock-in-trade of leaders. AND THE PRESIDENT IS A TEACHER. I think you derailed your campaign somewhat by taking that tack. Obama uses word well; give him his due. So you must backtrack quickly. You should be conscious of the attempt to be eloquent. Eloquence is the result of a marriage between head and heart, passion and intellect. The ancient rhetorician, Cicero, spoke of the “lights of speech”. Now what do you suppose he was referring to? The metaphors, similes, analogies, and all the language devices that seem immediately brilliant, surprising, creative, attention getting. Such things illuminate, light up, the point with which they are associated. Never underestimate the power of such devices to persuade.

Seventh, stop your personal applauding all the time. Stop the continual, positive nodding of your head. Occasionally, yes, but all the time?

–Well, I will go on to the substance.

In that regard, here is what I would like to hear you say: clarify a vision of your operating procedures in contrast to the incumbent. How will you gather about you the intellectual strength of the people in the nation? How will you put people to work on the issues, so that all will have a stake in our collective future? What are the essential issues? Get that powerfully organized. One by one tick them off and give a succinct summary of your solution after you have given a succinct statement of the problem. Be clear and forthright.

It’s how you say it. That’s my main thing.