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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Reasoning and Clarity. Reasoning rests on 2 conclusions, too few to hold the grade down. Average 83 / 100
Signal
86 / 100
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Relevance
–
Not scored Viewing ↓
Reasoning
77 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
86 / 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.
Claims 69% Positioning 13% Promise 18%
Structure · 5 steps
Claims · 5
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Claims · 76 words the bill before us contains the largest tax increase ever passed by a Republican Congress.1 Worse yet, the bill transfers the taxing authority from the legislature to the executive branch, an unconstitutional delegation of power.2 The Constitution clearly states that ``Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, duties . . . and Excises.’’3 Madison believed the Republic would survive only if the Constitution divided the power and pitted the executive ambition against legislative ambition.4 Positioning · 17 words Madison would be horrified by the clamor of so many in Congress to cede the taxing authority. Positioning Logical leap Unearned certainty Claims · 12 words My amendment strips the transfer of the taxing authority from the bill.5 Promise · 23 words My amendment--if it passes--will demonstrate that Congress still has a spine, still has ambition, and still supports the separation and limitation of power.
At a glance
Lost points for Positioning Logical leap Unearned certainty
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 86
1 of 3 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 → “Madison would be horrified by the clamor of so many in Congress to cede the taxing authority.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. 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.
Reasoning · 77
1 of 3 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 → “Madison would be horrified by the clamor of so many in Congress to cede the taxing authority.” c5 gives Madison’s general view on divided power, but inferring his specific horror at today’s Congress jumps from principle to a predicted personal reaction.
Conclusions found · 2
Conclusion “Worse yet, the bill transfers the taxing authority from the legislature to the executive branch, an unconstitutional delegation of power.”
Because “The Constitution clearly states that ``Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, duties . . . and Excises.’’”
Conclusion “Madison would be horrified by the clamor of so many in Congress to cede the taxing authority.”
Because “Madison believed the Republic would survive only if the Constitution divided the power and pitted the executive ambition against legislative ambition.”
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 · 86
1 of 3 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 → “Madison would be horrified” This asserts certainty about Madison’s reaction to a modern bill in place of any source or evidence.
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 “the largest tax increase ever passed by a Republican Congress” The bill before the Senate contains the largest tax increase ever passed by a Republican Congress. search 2 “the bill transfers the taxing authority from the legislature to the executive branch” The bill before the Senate transfers taxing authority from the legislature to the executive branch. search 3 “Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, duties . . . and Excises” The US Constitution grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, and excises. search 4 “Madison believed the Republic would survive only if the Constitution divided the power” James Madison believed the Republic would survive only if the Constitution divided power between branches. search 5 “strips the transfer of the taxing authority from the bill” Senator Paul’s amendment removes the transfer of taxing authority from the bill. search
