A comparison of Fred Rogers' 1969 Senate hearing on PBS funding for his program with that of Al Gore in 2009 on the global warming issue shows very distinct differences between the two men's delivery of their addresses. Mr. Rogers is earnest and impassioned about his subject, and the tilt of his head and the tenor of his voice indicate how profoundly he cares about the children. He reinforces that message by stating multiple times that he cares about what they see and hear on television. He provides examples of the show's content, including a reading of the words he says at the end of each day's show. His delivery is earnest and augmented by gestures, but also measured and well controlled, as if he is forcibly holding back his passion for the subject. He expresses gratitude, as well, and the speaker of the house admits that Mr. Rogers' speech has given him goosebumps, then later announces his decision to fund the program. Mr. Rogers' speech has been clear, impassioned, effective, well-received, and successful.
In Al Gore's presentation to the Senate on global warming, he uses a dramatically different delivery style from that of Mr. Rogers. Instead of speaking directly to the speaker of the house, Mr. Gore gives a slide presentation that makes him once removed from all in the room, and rather than expressing his heartfelt emotions about the subject, he basically narrates the slide show. His hands are on the podium instead of used to gesture, and although he at one point addresses a couple of people in the room by name to evoke some shared history, his address is much more impersonal than Mr. Rogers'. Ultimately, Mr. Gore's presentation lacks the passion and earnestness that made Mr. Rogers' presentation so appealing and persuasive.
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