by Dana Bristol-Smith Just about every communication consultant, trainer, coach, or speaker I have heard, always quotes a study done by Albert Mehrabian from UCLA which supposedly concluded that how you look and how you sound are more important than what you actually say. Lincoln spoke nearly two hours and we believe he would have held his audience had he spoken all night." -- Dover ( New Hampshire) Inquirer , March 8, 1860 Yes, it’s important to let the strength of your convictions be heard in your words and show in your emotions, tone, and gestures.

Super Tuesday's New York Times focused on Hillary Clinton's success in speaking before small groups --roundtables, town hall meetings and the like--in moving, emotional ways that connect with the group, versus her large-rally speeches, seen as less successful. Here's one observer's take, from the article: “Hillary Clinton can dismiss soaring oratory all she wants, but it works and there is a time and a place for it, such as Friday night in San Francisco,” said Ruth Sherman, a political communications consultant who has been tracking Mrs. The article, which notes that Clinton will need to connect more with the large crowds ahead in a presidential campaign, uses a rally last week in San Francisco as an example.

From the New Hampshire Democratic debate: GIBSON: Tell me one thing you've said in those debates that you wish you hadn't said. Media consultants like TJ Walker would say to stick to your main points, repeat them over and over, and don't get off track - and that's what Clinton and Obama did. And it's your chance to take... (LAUGHTER) LAUGHTER) GIBSON: ...