The Heritage Foundation | April 23, 2003
Have you ever wondered why people like Tucker Carlson? How is it possible that a person with so much working against him could be the biggest name in news and television right now? Did he just play his cards right? Was it a luck of fate?
After analyzing his speech given to the Heritage Foundation it’s not difficult to see why he has risen to the top. Tucker’s success squarely comes from his understanding of vulnerability. His boyish charms and magnetic laughter are his signature draw. If you haven’t seen his video while he’s fly fishing in Central Park, it clearly shows his masterful use of vulnerability. His ability to share vulnerability and truth is unique. His use of empathy makes you feel like you’re one of the boys out on a bird hunt, dressed in camo, while the sun is setting.
However, there are two achilleas heels that could keep him from reaching higher heights.
First, in his 4,800-word speech he uses the word “I” over 200 times and the word “we” only 26. And still as an audience you cheer him on for more. Why? It’s the power of vulnerability. If Tucker wants to continue to have success, he will need to painfully move from “me” to “we” and given the amount fanfare he’s receiving, it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. He would do well to hire a
shadow with his millions of dollars and have them shock him every time he says the word “me” with all its pronouns. The greats understood/understand the use of pronouns. Martin Luther King Jr. in his classic I Have a Dream speech used the word “I” 15 times and the word “We” 32 and every major city in America has a street named after him.
Second, our nation is more divided than ever. This divide makes distinguishing between fact and fancy more important than ever, but he must choose wisely which facts are worthy of fealty. This speech was mesmerizing until he took a fancy attacking the LGBTQ+ community. This very personal attack on a
vulnerable group of people gave me great pause. There is much we don’t understand about the LGBTQ+ community but from the people I’ve met they usually don’t fit the profile that is portrayed in the media. So long has Mr. Carlson continues to attack minority groups his popularity will wane and eventually he
will be cornered into a niche wondering what might have been. Will he be rich, yes. Will he be remembered, no.
Mr. Carlson’s speech is an interesting study and highly recommended for any leader to review, his use of vulnerability is simply masterful. This speech quite possibly could have gone down in history as one of the best in this century, however history does not celebrate those who marginalize others.
The world is watching Mr. Carlson, may humility and truth guide your next decision.