SIUC professors had different reactions to President Bill Clinton’s speech yesterday, but they said they all agreed on one thing Clinton is a savvy speaker and campaigner.

I think he struck a chord with students today, Political Science Lecturer Barb Brown said.

Brown, a Democrat seeking a seat in the Illinois Senate, said the main purpose of Clinton’s speech was to define his position on the college financial aid issue.

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He was focused, she said. He really addressed the differences between him and the Republicans. If the president is going to be effective in influencing Congress, he has to make people aware of the issues.

She said campaigning for the 1996 election was not the main reason Clinton made the visit.

They’re not really into full campaign mode yet, she said.

David Derge, an SIUC political science professor said he did not agree.

This was very clearly a campaign stop, he said. He added that any political visit has the dual purpose of addressing issues and campaigning.

Derge said Clinton does have great speaking and campaigning skills.

It was very nicely done, he said of the visit. The man has a well deserved reputation as a good campaigner.

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Suzanne Daughton, an assistant speech communication professor, said Clinton’s effectiveness at public speaking stems from several things.

She said referring to specific groups in the audience, such as the Lincoln Middle School and students from Indiana University, strengthened his speech.

I think he’s very good at reaching out to people, she said. Those particulars mean a lot.

Daughton said Clinton’s voice also make his speeches work.

He has a very powerful voice, she said. He knows what’s important in a speech and uses his voice for emphasis.

She said the president’s comments about the 11 students taking part in a roundtable discussion Monday also helped him.

It gave a very nice human touch. Incorporating people’s plights shows he’s interested in people, Daughton said.

Scott Hays, assistant political science professor, said although the president defined himself thoroughly, it is difficult to say if he accurately portrayed the Republican stand on the issue.

Derge also said articulating the Republican viewpoint on financial aid was not the intent of the visit.

This wasn’t a balanced presentation, he said, But that’s not what anybody expected either.