I've noticed how people often assume that those who are articulate are also, by nature... intelligent. And while both those qualities can, in fact, exist in tandem (perhaps more often than not), they can also exist very much apart! Rush Limbaugh was articulate (or perhaps I should just say he had a way with words), as is Charlie Kirk- today's version of the latter. I find it hard to choose which one more despicable. But today's version of a Conservative "Master Debater," as seemingly sure footed as he is when 'debating' college kids (rarely does he challenge full fledged adults or experts in any field), is far from an even mediocre thinker when it comes to actual intellect. He merely relies on the traditional con man's rhetorical bag o' tricks along with: a rapid fire cadence, continuous shifting of the goal posts, false flags and projection. People unfamiliar with said tactics can often mistake his shrewd, double dealing, whirlwind of verbosity with actual intelligence. Far from it...
For those interested (I found it fascinating) here's a deep dive into Ol' Charlie's magic bag of rhetorical jive:
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