I've become a big fan of Trump, as friends know. Still, he's awful at extemporaneous speech - worse than GWB even. Charming and loquacious, yes, but his imprecision with words, responsiveness to questions are painful.

The importance of oral communication in politics is obvious. Reagan, not only a former veteran actor but an avid writer and reader, was the only non-lawyer POTUS in my lifetime who was good at it.

I wouldn't want to place undue importance on oral expression for a POTUS. Bill Clinton and Obama were extremely glib. In Clinton's case, however, it came across as "slick." Similarly, Obama's bloodless facility with speech inspired only existing fans.

Jimmy Carter couldn't pronounce "nuclear" but expression wasn't his problem. GHW Bush was articulate enough - just enough - but the placement of his "voice" just behind his teeth (versus the manly art of "speaking" from the throat) made everything he said sound wimpy.

Trump succeeds despite this handicap because he's that good. Indeed, on the stump, he's fine with a teleprompter and even refreshing when he veers off script and riffs ad libitum.

But interviews and press conferences always result in multiple flubs. Not a words guy: action.

Ultimately the fact that he's imprecise and unclear in oral expression limits his appeal and makes him easy to mock. We usually associate being well spoken with being highly intelligent and assume that a silver tongue reveals a well-organized brain.

Take it from me, however: That association, while not entirely fallacious, is not nearly as strong as many people think. And that's why fork-tongued con-men do so well.