Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Mike Rounds

Republican on Tribute to Cade Edwards 2026-07-21

117 words · 6 sentences · 7 clauses

Statement grade

D+

53 / 100, held down by Signal

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Greeting 26%Claims 24%Positioning 26%Thanks 24%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. President, Greeting · 31 wordstoday I recognize Cade Edwards, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of my office and the State of South Dakota.¹Greeting Claims · 28 wordsMr. Edwards is a graduate of O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, SD.² He is currently attending the University of Iowa, ³where he studies political science and economics.⁴ Positioning · 30 wordsMr. Edwards is a dedicated and diligent individual who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience. He has been a true asset to my office.Positioning Thanks · 28 wordsI extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Edwards for all of the work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.Thanks

At a glance

Lost points for
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 23

4 of 4 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “today I recognize Cade Edwards, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of my office and the State of South Dakota.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Mr. Edwards is a dedicated and diligent individual who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “He has been a true asset to my office.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Edwards for all of the work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

0 of 4 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 4

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“Cade Edwards, an intern in my Washington, DC, office”Cade Edwards worked as an intern in Senator Mike Rounds’ Washington, DC office in 2026.search
2“a graduate of O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, SD”Cade Edwards graduated from O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.search
3“currently attending the University of Iowa”Cade Edwards is a student at the University of Iowa as of 2026.search
4“he studies political science and economics”Cade Edwards studies political science and economics at the University of Iowa.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15