The Kansas City Star, Mo., Careers column.

By Diane Stafford, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Oct. 31--HOW YOU TALK TELLS VOLUMES: Tired of attack ads and trite sound bites? You bet. But in longer speeches and debate responses there's a gold mine of public speaking examples among the political candidates.

The ability to communicate orally -- to get your point across clearly, succinctly and influentially -- is a vital career skill. Some can do it. Some can't.

After the presidential debates, it was delivery style as much as content that steered the "who won?" analysis. In short, your public speaking ability can help or hurt your cause.

Joel …