"State of the State: Jerry Brown twists Republican arms – with a smile"

Jessica Levinson quoted in CSM article about Cal. Gov. Jerry Brown's State of the State:

" 'Brown made a big point of saying – and it seemed pretty genuine – that if anyone has any suggestions please let me know,' says Jessica Levinson. . . .
Overall, Ms. Levinson says she was reminded that 'Brown is not a fantastic public speaker. Maybe he avoided the teleprompter because he didn’t want to have a [Michele] Bachmann moment,' referring to the way that the Minnesota congresswoman appeared to be staring off camera in her tea party rebuttal to the State of the Union address.
'He read in a way that seemed like he was timing himself,' she said. 'He actually is at his best when he looks up and goes off script.'"