This App Correctly Predicted the Latest 9 Out of 10 Elections
When it comes to winning a presidential election, it’s not just about what you say—it’s how you say it. At Speeko, we’ve put this to the ultimate test, tearing apart Democratic and Republican National Convention speeches to figure out what separates the winners from the also-rans. Most candidates can throw out policies and promises, but our hunch was that the tiny details—like pacing, tone, and articulation—can either make or break them.
Using our AI analysis, our app has accurately predicted the outcome in 9 out of the last 10 elections. It’s a close race every time, but the winner almost always seems to have that extra edge in how they connect with their audience. Let’s take a closer look at each election year, using the Speeko Scoring System to break down how the candidates’ vocal delivery tipped the scales.
The Speeko Scoring System
Candidates are scored out of a total of 60 points, based on the following:
Pace (0-10): Speed and flow of speech.
Fillers (0-10): Minimizing distracting fillers like "um" or "uh."
Pausing (0-10): Use of pauses for emphasis and engagement.
Intonation (0-10): Varying pitch to keep listeners captivated.
Articulation (0-10): Clarity and precision in pronunciation.
Word choice (0-10): Compelling and relatable language.
1984: Ronald Reagan vs. Walter Mondale
Reagan’s Speeko Score: 51/60
Pace: 9/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 5/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 10/10
Mondale’s Speeko Score: 43/60
Pace: 7/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 5/10
Intonation: 6/10
Articulation: 7/10
Word Choice: 8/10
Reagan’s commanding delivery absolutely shines, especially when he hits us with the zinger, “Isn't our choice really not one of left or right, but of up or down?” His well-timed pauses give his words that extra punch, making sure the message sticks. Meanwhile, Mondale rushes through key sections, missing prime moments where a pause could have done wonders. Add in his flat pitch and, well, his delivery feels more like a monotone lecture than an inspiring speech. No surprise here—Reagan takes the win with ease.
1988: George H.W. Bush vs. Michael Dukakis
Bush’s Speeko Score: 53/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 8/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Dukakis’ Speeko Score: 45/60
Pace: 6/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 5/10
Articulation: 7/10
Word Choice: 8/10
Bush’s debate performance shows off his balanced pace and perfectly timed pauses, especially when he drives home the point by repeating, “My opponent says no, but I say yes.” He smartly pauses to give his audience just enough time to soak it in and cheer him on. On the other side, Dukakis sticks to a repetitive intonation pattern with a slightly nasal tone that isn’t exactly rallying the crowd. It’s missing the vocal energy and variety needed to truly connect with voters, leaving Bush with a clear edge in the matchup.
1992: Bill Clinton vs. George H.W. Bush
Clinton’s Speeko Score: 56/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 10/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 10/10
Bush’s Speeko Score: 45/60
Pace: 6/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 6/10
Intonation: 7/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 8/10
Clinton’s emotional delivery grabs his audience’s attention, with iconic lines like “I still believe in a place called Hope” hitting all the right notes. His dynamic tone, paired with those well-placed pauses, makes his message feel both personal and powerful—a true crowd-pleaser. Meanwhile, Bush’s speech, complete with a few awkward throat clears, falls flat. It lacks the energy and emotional depth Clinton brings to the table, making Bush’s delivery feel more like a warm-up act than the main event.
1996: Bill Clinton vs. Bob Dole
Clinton’s Speeko Score: 55/60
Pace: 9/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 8/10
Intonation: 9/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 10/10
Dole’s Speeko Score: 39/60
Pace: 5/10
Pausing: 4/10
Fillers: 10/10
Intonation: 6/10
Articulation: 7/10
Word Choice: 7/10
Clinton’s debate presence is nothing short of commanding—crystal-clear articulation paired with an energetic delivery that screams confidence. When he delivers lines like, “with all respect, we do not need to build a bridge to the past; we need to build a bridge to the future,” his controlled pace and strategic pauses ensure the message lands with full impact. Meanwhile, Dole rushes through his points, throwing in inconsistent pauses and delivering in a monotone that drains the life out of his speech. No surprise here—Clinton’s taking the win. Dole’s message just can’t seem to stick the landing.
2000: George W. Bush vs. Al Gore
Bush’s Speeko Score: 50/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 8/10
Intonation: 7/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Gore’s Speeko Score: 48/60
Pace: 6/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 5/10
Intonation: 10/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 9/10
This one’s a very close match! Bush’s speaking style stands out with a steady pace and perfectly timed pauses, letting lines like “This is not the time for third chances; it is the time for new beginnings” really hit home. His simple, no-nonsense language paired with a controlled delivery connects effortlessly with voters. Gore, to his credit, has strong intonation, but he doesn’t quite use pauses to his advantage, leaving his speech feeling a bit rushed and not as dramatic as it could be. In the end, Bush takes the slight edge—sometimes it’s all about knowing when to pause and let the moment breathe.
2004: George W. Bush vs. John Kerry
Bush’s Speeko Score: 54/60
Pace: 9/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 10/10
Intonation: 8/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Kerry’s Speeko Score: 46/60
Pace: 7/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 6/10
Intonation: 8/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 7/10
Bush’s delivery is confident and controlled. He’s practically perfect in his pacing and pausing. When he hits a line like “I will defend America every time,” he lets it breathe, making sure voters have time to soak it in. His no-nonsense, straightforward language makes it easy for him to connect. Kerry, meanwhile, shows he’s got the pitch variation down, but misses some golden opportunities for those dramatic pauses. His intonation feels a bit all over the place, and when it comes to applause, he fumbles—trying to speak over it, only to awkwardly repeat himself. Pro tip, Kerry: Ride that applause and push through with confidence!
2008: Barack Obama vs. John McCain
Obama’s Speeko Score: 58/60
Pace: 9/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 10/10
Intonation: 10/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 10/10
McCain’s Speeko Score: 46/60
Pace: 7/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 6/10
Intonation: 7/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 8/10
Obama is widely known for his eloquence, and our AI agrees—his speech was undeniably electrifying. He masterfully places pauses to build anticipation and emotion, like when he declares, “I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring.” His intonation swings from soft and reflective to passionate and determined, keeping his audience hooked the entire time. McCain, on the other hand, keeps his delivery clear but falls flat when it comes to those dynamic vocal shifts that Obama pulls off so effortlessly. The result? McCain’s speech feels more rigid and a bit less inspiring in comparison.
2012: Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney
Obama’s Speeko Score: 55/60
Pace: 9/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 9/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Romney’s Speeko Score: 51/60
Pace: 7/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 8/10
Intonation: 10/10
Articulation: 8/10
Word Choice: 8/10
Obama continues to live up to his reputation as a master orator, delivering a speech that showcases his impeccable pacing and those signature pauses. His confident and clear delivery allows voters to connect effortlessly with his vision. Romney, to be fair, isn’t lagging too far behind—he’s got a solid range in intonation that hits those emotional notes. But here’s his public speaking downfall: He rushes through a few key sections where a slower, more deliberate pace could have packed a bigger punch. A few more pauses, Romney, and those moments might’ve landed even harder!
2016: Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton
Trump’s Speeko Score: 50/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 8/10
Intonation: 9/10
Articulation: 7/10
Word Choice: 8/10
Clinton’s Speeko Score: 53/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 8/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Clinton’s speaking style is polished and professional, with controlled pacing and strategic pauses that spotlight her key policy points. When she says phrases like “join us,” it’s delivered with clarity and conviction, leaving no doubt about her message. Trump’s, on the other hand, is undeniably dynamic and engaging but runs into trouble with inconsistent enunciation, especially when he’s transitioning between topics. While the Speeko Scores didn’t call the election outcome this time, Clinton’s refined delivery and command of her speech give her a definite edge in this matchup.
2020: Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump
Biden’s Speeko Score: 53/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 8/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Trump’s Speeko Score: 46/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 7/10
Intonation: 6/10
Articulation: 7/10
Word Choice: 8/10
When you listen to these mid-pandemic speeches, you can definitely feel the stress coming through. But Biden’s speaking style has that steady, composed aura, especially when he hits with lines like, “We can choose a different path, and together, take this chance to heal, to be reborn, to unite.” His controlled pace and well-timed pauses really let the message sink in, making it feel sincere and impactful. Trump, on the other hand, still brings his energy, but it’s a bit off—his pauses are all over the place, throwing off his rhythm, and his delivery feels more monotone and subdued than usual. It’s clear that Biden’s polished, composed approach is the standout here.
Predicting the 2024 Election: Trump vs. Harris
The 2024 US presidential election is drawing near, and we’re ready to present our insights. This time, we’ve dissected the Democratic and Republican National Convention speeches from the two contenders: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. We’ve run both through our trusty criteria, and we’re ready to spill the tea on how their delivery might just swing the vote. Spoiler alert: it’s all about who’s got the right rhythm, tone, and those oh-so-crucial pauses. Let’s dive in!
Trump’s Speeko Score: 50/60
Pace: 8/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 8/10
Intonation: 9/10
Articulation: 7/10
Donald Trump’s speech comes with his signature energy and dynamic intonation, especially when he throws out bold lines like, “because there is no victory in winning for half of America.” His tone keeps his audience engaged, but his pacing is all over the place, particularly when he jumps between topics. This inconsistency leads to moments where his enunciation slips, and his haphazard pauses break up the flow, making it feel a bit choppy. While his charisma shines through, these small missteps can undermine the strength and clarity of his message.
Harris’ Speeko Score: 55/60
Pace: 9/10
Fillers: 10/10
Pausing: 9/10
Intonation: 9/10
Articulation: 9/10
Word Choice: 9/10
Harris’ speech is a masterclass in pacing and pausing. When she says, “I see a nation that is ready to move forward,” it has just the right mix of emotional depth and clarity. And just listen when she repeats “We are not going back.” She uses different tones that show she’s in full command of the stage. However, there are a few moments where her enunciation and intonation get shaky when she cranks up the volume. Those slips can pull her audience out of the moment and risk undercutting her message.
Speeko’s Predicted Winner: Kamala Harris
Harris’ controlled, confident delivery and strategic use of pauses give her a slight edge in our prediction. Her ability to blend a passionate tone with a calm and steady pace contrasts with Trump’s more inconsistent delivery. Trump’s engaging style remains a strong point, but his vocal delivery style may not appeal as much to voters seeking steady leadership.
Speeko’s analysis of the last 10 US elections demonstrates the importance of effective speaking skills. Candidates who can strategically pace their delivery and engage with dynamic intonation tend to create a stronger connection with audiences, which often translates to electoral success.
Curious about how your own speaking style stacks up?
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