Richard Epstein. The man is the most flawless, free-flowing speaker I have ever heard. Just when you think he is finished with a sentence, he adds another clause, and then another until there are too many clauses and points to attempt to counter. Not only that but he latches on to opponents' statements verbatim and mercilessly rips them apart until they are as good as dead, and then keeps beating. It is frightening, really. I cannot help but to giggle with excitement when I hear him, but underneath all that excitement is unadulterated fear.
Exhibit A: Epstein vs. Judy Ferer on Health Care. (Watch as the moderator hilariously tries to interject at the 26 minute mark.)
Exhibit B: Epstein vs. Cass Sunstein on Obama (03/08).
One thing I realize from listening to Epstein is that what makes a debater effective is not a collection of facts nor even good points, but speaking style and verb use/word choice. That is why I do not trust debates to reveal which side is right or "righter". But I do find them nonetheless a hoot.
An oral history of The Wire
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