Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Sam T. Liccardo

Democrat on Recognizing Larry "the Grinch" Stone 2026-07-20

268 words · 13 sentences · 17 clauses

Statement grade

B–

Average 70 / 100

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

Procedure 9%Thanks 25%Claims 42%Anecdote 24%

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

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 20 wordsI rise today to speak on behalf of myself and on behalf of my colleagues, Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, ProcedureThanks · 42 wordsand Jimmy Panetta, to recognize Larry Stone, who retired a few months ago as Santa Clara County’s longest serving elected official.¹ Larry has been an extraordinary public servant, ethical role model, a mentor to many of us, and a friend to all.Thanks Claims · 14 wordsLarry served in elected office for 46 years, 30 as Santa Clara County’s assessor.² Anecdote · 63 wordsHe made the most of his notorious role as tax leveler, humorously egging on everyone to boo him at every civic and political event. He even wore a Grinch costume for many years in our annual Santa Run, sitting in the pace car with thousands of runners dressed up as Santas with beards on chasing him through the streets of downtown San Jose.Anecdote Procedure · 5 wordsLarry’s work was serious, however.Procedure Claims · 98 wordsHe leaves behind an assessor’s office that has become a national model for efficiency, responsiveness, and trustworthiness. Larry’s signature forthrightness made him the first phone call for local reporters looking for someone quotable. His willingness to call out malfeasance by the powerful made him a reliable advocate for good government. His prescient political sense--gathering Silicon Valley support for everyone from his successor, Neysa Fligor, to a little known southerner by the name of Bill Clinton--made him a local kingmaker. In his retirement, Larry and his much-beloved wife, Carmen, will continue to generously support local nonprofits and the arts. Thanks · 11 wordsLarry’s example, however, continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.Thanks Madam Speaker, Thanks · 15 wordson behalf of many, I thank Larry for his leadership, his mentorship, and his friendship.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 · 40

10 of 10 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I rise today to speak on behalf of myself and on behalf of my colleagues, Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and Jimmy Panetta, to recognize Larry Stone, who retired a few months ago as Santa Clara County’s longest serving elected official.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Larry has been an extraordinary public servant, ethical role model, a mentor to many of us,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and a friend to all.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He made the most of his notorious role as tax leveler, humorously egging on everyone to boo him at every civic and political event.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He even wore a Grinch costume for many years in our annual Santa Run, sitting in the pace car with thousands of runners dressed up as Santas with beards on chasing him through the streets of downtown San Jose.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Larry’s work was serious, however.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Larry’s example, however, continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “on behalf of many, I thank Larry for his leadership, his mentorship,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and his friendship.”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 10 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 · 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“who retired a few months ago as Santa Clara County’s longest serving elected official”Larry Stone retired a few months before July 2026 as Santa Clara County’s longest serving elected official.search
2“Larry served in elected office for 46 years, 30 as Santa Clara County’s assessor”Larry Stone served 46 years in elected office, including 30 years as Santa Clara County assessor.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15