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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance and Clarity is 45. The grade is held to 30, 30 above Relevance. 30 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
34 / 100
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Relevance
0 / 100
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Reasoning
–
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Respect
–
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Clarity
100 / 100
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A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Thanks 11% Anecdote 45% Reasoning 11% Positioning 8% Claims 24% Procedure 2%
Structure · 12 steps
Claims · 5
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Thanks · 19 words I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to an outstanding U.S. Senator and a dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. Thanks Anecdote · 60 words When my husband first woke me with the news that Lindsey had died the night before, I couldn’t believe it. I said to him: That can’t possibly be true. I thought it was some tasteless internet hoax or a false report. Not Lindsey. Not our Lindsey. But sadly, it was true, 1 although I still find it so hard to accept. Anecdote Thanks · 23 words I can only imagine how difficult this unexpected loss must be for his beloved sister Darline and the other members of his family. Thanks Reasoning · 45 words Often when we think of a Senator, we ask: Did he or she make a difference? Did he or she have an impact on events here at home or abroad? Was the person a consequential Senator? With Lindsey, the answer clearly was the resounding yes. Positioning · 15 words Lindsey was a leader not only in national policy but also in shaping international events. Positioning Claims · 77 words How telling it is that the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Ukraine both made the long voyage to attend his memorial service yesterday at the National Cathedral.2 3 Whether he was leading a congressional trip to Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre to demonstrate America’s solidarity with Israel or his many trips to Ukraine to show the Senate’s unwavering opposition to Russia’s unprovoked invasion, Lindsey time and again demonstrated strong, effective leadership.4 Positioning · 9 words He was truly a player on the world stage. Positioning Anecdote · 121 words And for me, Lindsey was also a close friend. Along with Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, I traveled four times with Lindsey to Afghanistan and Iraq.5 Believe me, on those long military trips, you get to know your colleagues very well. Lindsey’s unsurpassed sense of humor, his self-deprecating wit, and his storytelling ability made serving with him delightful, and I always learned so much when I traveled with him as well. I keep thinking that John McCain and Joe Lieberman--both treasured friends and colleagues of mine--were there waiting to greet what they called the third amigo when Lindsey Graham entered the heavenly gates, and I tried to take some comfort in knowing that the three of them are now reunited. Anecdote Claims · 17 words Yesterday, we celebrated the life of this extraordinary Senator. Lindsey’s life on Earth ended far too soon, Positioning · 6 words but his legacy will endure forever. Positioning Off point Procedure · 7 words I suggest the absence of a quorum. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×30 Anecdote ×16 Positioning ×3 Thanks ×2 Procedure Off topic None of this speech addressed the bill under debate and what it would change. Little substance Much 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 · 34
22 of 52 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.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to an outstanding U.S. Senator and a dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “When my husband first woke me with the news that Lindsey had died the night before, I couldn’t believe it.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I said to him:” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “That can’t possibly be true.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I thought it was some tasteless internet hoax or a false report.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Not Lindsey.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Not our Lindsey.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “But sadly, it was true,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “although I still find it so hard to accept.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “I can only imagine how difficult this unexpected loss must be for his beloved sister Darline and the other members of his family.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Lindsey was a leader not only in national policy but also in shaping international events.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He was truly a player on the world stage.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And for me, Lindsey was also a close friend.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Along with Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, I traveled four times with Lindsey to Afghanistan and Iraq.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Believe me, on those long military trips, you get to know your colleagues very well.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Lindsey’s unsurpassed sense of humor, his self-deprecating wit,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and his storytelling ability made serving with him delightful,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and I always learned so much when I traveled with him as well.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I keep thinking that John McCain and Joe Lieberman--both treasured friends and colleagues of mine--were there waiting to greet what they called the third amigo when Lindsey Graham entered the heavenly gates,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and I tried to take some comfort in knowing that the three of them are now reunited.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “but his legacy will endure forever.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I suggest the absence of a quorum.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 0
30 of 52 deductions are Relevance
Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the bill under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to an outstanding U.S. Senator and a dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.” Opens a tribute to Senator Graham rather than addressing the Maxwell clemency resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “When my husband first woke me with the news that Lindsey had died the night before, I couldn’t believe it.” Personal anecdote about learning of his death, unrelated to the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “I said to him:” A line of quoted recollection with no bearing on the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “That can’t possibly be true.” Continues the personal story, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “I thought it was some tasteless internet hoax or a false report.” Continues the personal story, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Not Lindsey.” An exclamatory aside in the tribute, unrelated to the measure.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Not our Lindsey.” An exclamatory aside in the tribute, unrelated to the measure.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “But sadly, it was true,” Continues the account of his death, not the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “although I still find it so hard to accept.” Personal grief, unrelated to the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “I can only imagine how difficult this unexpected loss must be for his beloved sister Darline and the other members of his family.” Sympathy to the family rather than any point on the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Often when we think of a Senator, we ask:” Rhetorical framing for the tribute, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Did he or she make a difference?” Rhetorical framing for the tribute, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Did he or she have an impact on events here at home or abroad?” Rhetorical framing for the tribute, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Was the person a consequential Senator?” Rhetorical framing for the tribute, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “With Lindsey, the answer clearly was the resounding yes.” Praise of Graham’s record rather than the Maxwell resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Lindsey was a leader not only in national policy but also in shaping international events.” Praise of Graham’s leadership, unrelated to the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “How telling it is that the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Ukraine both made the long voyage to attend his memorial service yesterday at the National Cathedral.” Anecdote about memorial attendees, not the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Whether he was leading a congressional trip to Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre to demonstrate America’s solidarity with Israel or his many trips to Ukraine to show the Senate’s unwavering opposition to Russia’s unprovoked invasion, Lindsey time and again demonstrated strong, effective leadership.” Recollection of Graham’s foreign trips instead of the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “He was truly a player on the world stage.” General praise of Graham, unrelated to the measure.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “And for me, Lindsey was also a close friend.” Personal friendship remark, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Along with Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, I traveled four times with Lindsey to Afghanistan and Iraq.” Travel recollection unrelated to the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Believe me, on those long military trips, you get to know your colleagues very well.” Aside about traveling together, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Lindsey’s unsurpassed sense of humor, his self-deprecating wit,” Praise of Graham’s personality, unrelated to the measure.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “and his storytelling ability made serving with him delightful,” Praise of Graham’s personality, unrelated to the measure.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “and I always learned so much when I traveled with him as well.” Personal recollection, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “I keep thinking that John McCain and Joe Lieberman--both treasured friends and colleagues of mine--were there waiting to greet what they called the third amigo when Lindsey Graham entered the heavenly gates,” Speculative image about the late colleagues, unrelated to the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “and I tried to take some comfort in knowing that the three of them are now reunited.” Comforting reflection in the tribute, not the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Yesterday, we celebrated the life of this extraordinary Senator.” Reference to the memorial service rather than the resolution.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Lindsey’s life on Earth ended far too soon,” Reflection on his death, unrelated to the bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “but his legacy will endure forever.” Closing tribute line about his legacy, not the measure.
Reasoning · no score
No score: nothing is concluded. Excluded from the average.
Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.
Conclusions found · 0
None: nothing is concluded.
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 52 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 · 5
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 “it was true” Senator Lindsey Graham died the night before this Senate speech of July 29, 2026. search 2 “the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Ukraine both made the long voyage to attend his memorial service” The Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Ukraine attended Lindsey Graham’s memorial service at the National Cathedral on July 28, 2026. search 3 “his memorial service yesterday at the National Cathedral” Lindsey Graham’s memorial service was held at the National Cathedral on July 28, 2026, the day before this speech. search 4 “leading a congressional trip to Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre” Lindsey Graham led a congressional trip to Israel after the October 7, 2023 attack. search 5 “I traveled four times with Lindsey to Afghanistan and Iraq” Susan Collins traveled four times with Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and Joe Lieberman to Afghanistan and Iraq. search
