McCain works hard to polish skills as orator

Competing against an opponent who is a commanding speaker, some McCain advisers say authenticity is the key. By MARK LEIBOVICH, New York Times LAS VEGAS - While unveiling his energy plan here recently, Sen. John McCain was performing relatively smoothly. He managed to limit the mechanical hand chops and weirdly timed smiles that can often punctuate his speeches. He delivered his lines with an ease that suggested a momentary peace with his longtime nemesis, the teleprompter. (He relied on a belt-and-suspenders approach, with text scrolling down screens to his left and right, and on a big TV set in front of him.) But when McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, came to the intended sound bite of his speech -- the part about reducing America's dependence on foreign oil -- he hit a slick. "I have set before the... [read full story]