Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Michael Baumgartner

Republican on Honoring Jim Walden 2026-07-14

313 words · 14 sentences · 18 clauses

Statement grade

A–

Average 86 / 100

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

Greeting 7%Claims 75%Thanks 18%

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

Madam Speaker, Greeting · 23 wordsI rise today to honor a legend and the life of a legend, Washington State University Coach Jim Walden, who passed away recently.Greeting Claims · 235 wordsCoach Walden served as the Cougars head football coach from 1978- 1986.¹ From the time he took over between the 1977 and 1978 seasons, he was not one to hold back as a coach, and neither was his Cougar football team. The Cougs displayed many of the same characteristics Jim exhibited, including a passion for the sport and an outspoken and charismatic personality. Taking the reins after WSU had three coaches in 3 years, Jim Walden assured the Cougar faithful he would not only stay around, but he would stay around and build a winning team. Four years later, he guided WSU to its first bowl game in many years, the 1981 Holiday Bowl.² That was WSU’s first post-season game since 1931.³ Jim delivered on his promises while defeating nearly every team in the PAC-10 conference. He finished his 9-year stint with 44 wins, at that time the second most among Washington State’s all-time list, ⁴while also being named PAC-10 Coach of the Year twice, once in 1981 and again in 1983.⁵ After retiring from coaching in 1994, Jim showed his Crimson pride by returning to the Palouse, ⁶where he served as Bob Robertson’s broadcast sidekick for 11 seasons.⁷ Jim Walden was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and the University of Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 for his play as a quarterback when he was a student there.⁸ Madam Speaker, Thanks · 55 wordsI commend Coach Jim Walden for his unwavering passion for Cougar athletics and his lasting commitment to the game of football. His leadership helped shape the proud tradition and identity of Cougar football that generations, including myself, have known and cherished. Jim Walden will be deeply missed and his legacy will continue to inspire Cougs.ThanksVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 71

4 of 5 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 “I rise today to honor a legend and the life of a legend, Washington State University Coach Jim Walden, who passed away recently.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I commend Coach Jim Walden for his unwavering passion for Cougar athletics and his lasting commitment to the game of football.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “His leadership helped shape the proud tradition and identity of Cougar football that generations, including myself, have known and cherished.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Jim Walden will be deeply missed and his legacy will continue to inspire Cougs.”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

1 of 5 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “his legacy will continue to inspire Cougs”No actor, date, or measure is given for how the legacy will inspire anyone.

Claims · 8

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“served as the Cougars head football coach from 1978- 1986”Jim Walden served as Washington State University’s head football coach from 1978 to 1986.search
2“he guided WSU to its first bowl game in many years, the 1981 Holiday Bowl”Jim Walden led Washington State University to the 1981 Holiday Bowl.search
3“That was WSU’s first post-season game since 1931”The 1981 Holiday Bowl was Washington State University’s first post-season game since 1931.search
4“finished his 9-year stint with 44 wins, at that time the second most among Washington State’s all-time list”Jim Walden finished his 9-year tenure as WSU head coach with 44 wins, then the second most in the school’s history.search
5“named PAC-10 Coach of the Year twice, once in 1981 and again in 1983”Jim Walden was named PAC-10 Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1983.search
6“After retiring from coaching in 1994”Jim Walden retired from coaching in 1994.search
7“served as Bob Robertson’s broadcast sidekick for 11 seasons”After coaching, Jim Walden worked as Bob Robertson’s broadcast partner for 11 seasons.search
8“inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and the University of Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011”Jim Walden was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and the University of Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15