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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance, Reasoning and Clarity is 63. The grade is held to 30, 30 above Relevance. Reasoning rests on 2 conclusions, too few to hold the grade down. 30 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
77 / 100
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Relevance
0 / 100
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Reasoning
77 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
97 / 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.
Positioning 16% Claims 56% Reasoning 17% Procedure 6% The ask 4%
Structure · 9 steps
Claims · 2
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Positioning · 33 words I am going to be really charitable because I know my colleague’s heart is in the right place, and I know we share an objective here, which is to care for our veterans. Positioning Claims · 70 words And I am going to interpret that answer as his being willing to join--if it comes to pass that we have this proposed rule, that he would oppose it. I think the VSOs would oppose it. I think the veterans community would oppose it. I think the people of America would oppose it, which is why it was withdrawn under the Biden administration--because it is such a shameful, bad idea.1 Logical leap Reasoning · 35 words And we should not incorporate it in a veterans bill, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act as a means to pay for benefits to other veterans when there is no need for a pay-for. Claims · 14 words All of the good things in the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act--I support. Procedure · 8 words We have a path. We have a path. Procedure Claims · 31 words Use the money from H.R.2 1: unspent, unobligated, unfeasible to spend before the end of the fiscal year. It will go back into the Treasury. I think the path is clear. Unearned certainty The ask · 9 words I hope we can come together and support it. Off point Procedure · 4 words Thank you, Mr. President. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×17 Positioning ×3 Procedure ×3 Logical leap Unearned certainty Off topic None of this speech addressed the bill under debate and what it would change.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 77
6 of 25 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.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “I am going to be really charitable because I know my colleague’s heart is in the right place,” 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 → “and I know we share an objective here,” 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 → “which is to care for our veterans.” 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 → “We have a path.” Procedure or throat-clearing: 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 → “We have a path.” Procedure or throat-clearing: 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 → “Thank you, Mr. President.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 0
17 of 25 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 am going to be really charitable because I know my colleague’s heart is in the right place,” Addresses a colleague’s motives in a veterans matter, not the Maxwell 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 know we share an objective here,” States a shared objective on veterans care, unrelated to clemency for Maxwell.
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 → “which is to care for our veterans.” Speaks of caring for veterans, not the topic 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 → “And I am going to interpret that answer as his being willing to join--if it comes to pass that we have this proposed rule, that he would oppose it.” Interprets an answer about a proposed rule on veterans, not the Maxwell question.
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 think the VSOs would oppose it.” Predicts VSO opposition to a veterans rule, off 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 think the veterans community would oppose it.” Predicts veterans community opposition to a rule, not the Maxwell 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 → “I think the people of America would oppose it,” Predicts public opposition to a veterans rule, not the debated topic.
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 → “which is why it was withdrawn under the Biden administration--because it is such a shameful, bad idea.” Discusses a rule withdrawn under the Biden administration on veterans, not clemency.
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 we should not incorporate it in a veterans bill, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act as a means to pay for benefits to other veterans when there is no need for a pay-for.” Argues against a pay-for in the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, a different 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 → “All of the good things in the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act--I support.” Expresses support for provisions of a veterans bill, not the Maxwell 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 → “We have a path.” Offers a path forward on veterans funding, off topic.
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 → “We have a path.” Repeats a point about a path on veterans funding, off topic.
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 → “Use the money from H.R.” Points to H.R. money as a funding source for veterans, not the debated 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 → “1: unspent, unobligated, unfeasible to spend before the end of the fiscal year.” Describes unspent H.R. 1 funds, unrelated to the Maxwell 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 → “It will go back into the Treasury.” Says funds return to the Treasury, part of the veterans funding argument.
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 think the path is clear.” Calls a veterans funding path clear, off the debated topic.
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 hope we can come together and support it.” Urges coming together on veterans funding, not on the Maxwell measure.
Reasoning · 77
1 of 25 deductions are Reasoning
Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.
Logical leap A conclusion that does not follow from the reasons given for it. What the tags mean → “which is why it was withdrawn under the Biden administration--because it is such a shameful, bad idea.” Withdrawal under a prior administration is treated as proof the idea is bad, a cause asserted from the mere fact of withdrawal.
Conclusions found · 2
Conclusion “which is why it was withdrawn under the Biden administration--because it is such a shameful, bad idea.”
Because “I think the VSOs would oppose it.”
“I think the veterans community would oppose it.”
“I think the people of America would oppose it,”
Reason flawed Withdrawal under a prior administration is treated as proof the idea is bad, a cause asserted from the mere fact of withdrawal.
Conclusion “And we should not incorporate it in a veterans bill, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act as a means to pay for benefits to other veterans when there is no need for a pay-for.”
Because “I think the VSOs would oppose it.”
“I think the veterans community would oppose it.”
“I think the people of America would oppose it,”
“We have a path.”
“Use the money from H.R.”
“1: unspent, unobligated, unfeasible to spend before the end of the fiscal year.”
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 · 97
1 of 25 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.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “the path is clear” Asserts clarity as settled fact without citing a source or evidence.
Claims · 2
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 withdrawn under the Biden administration” The proposed rule the speaker is discussing was withdrawn under the Biden administration. search 2 “Use the money from H.R.” Funds from H.R. 1 are unspent and unobligated and cannot feasibly be spent before the end of the fiscal year. search
