Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Michael Baumgartner

Republican on Remembering Wes Anderson 2026-07-21

252 words · 14 sentences · 20 clauses

Statement grade

A–

Average 88 / 100

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

Greeting 6%Claims 80%Procedure 5%Aside 4%Thanks 6%

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

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 16 wordsI rise today to honor Spokane native Tim Merck, an outstanding businessman, philanthropist, and family man.Greeting Claims · 44 wordsHe and his wife, Beth, have raised an outstanding family. Tim built a multimillion dollar business in Spokane from the ground up, Old World Christmas, ¹which was known across the country and across the world as providing the best Christmas ornaments anyone can find. Procedure · 12 wordsToday, I also want to recognize a bit of trivia about Tim.Procedure Claims · 118 wordsWhen he sent his son and daughter to Notre Dame, he realized that there was not a leprechaun sculpture on Notre Dame’s campus, and Tim set out to rectify that. Tim and Beth Merck, along with their children, Jon and Katherine, have long demonstrated a commitment to preserving stories and dreams in their operation. Jon and Katherine fulfilled a dream for their grandmother by attending and graduating from Notre Dame.³ When they noticed that the leprechaun was not there, they reached out to the president, and today, there is this leprechaun statue at gate 10 of the Purcell Pavilion, the very gate through which the Leprechaun Legion enters the arena to cheer on their basketball and volleyball teams.² Aside · 5 wordsThis is a tremendous story.Aside Claims · 39 wordsTim is also a very proud graduate of the University of Idaho, and upon presenting the leprechaun, he said: I guess it takes a Vandal to make sure that the students of Notre Dame have a leprechaun to celebrate. Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 14 wordsTim is a great American and a great friend. I love him and Beth.Thanks Aside · 4 wordsGo Vandals. Go Irish.Aside

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 77

8 of 8 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 Spokane native Tim Merck, an outstanding businessman, philanthropist,”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “and family man.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Today, I also want to recognize a bit of trivia about Tim.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “This is a tremendous story.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Tim is a great American and a great friend.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I love him and Beth.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “Go Vandals.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “Go Irish.”An aside: 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 8 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 · 3

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“Tim built a multimillion dollar business in Spokane from the ground up, Old World Christmas”Tim Merck built a multimillion dollar business called Old World Christmas in Spokane.search
2“there is this leprechaun statue at gate 10 of the Purcell Pavilion”There is a leprechaun statue at gate 10 of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion.search
3“Jon and Katherine fulfilled a dream for their grandmother by attending and graduating from Notre Dame”Tim Merck’s children Jon and Katherine Merck attended and graduated from Notre Dame.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15