Politicians and their teleprompters

It’s a common tool used by politicians, but for President Obama, the teleprompter has been used as a symbol of ineptitude by mocking Republican candidates.

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Aug. 30, 2010

President Obama delivers remarks from a teleprompter to the press after his daily economic briefing in the Rose Garden at the White House. He frequently addresses audiences off the cuff but almost always delivers the big speeches of his campaign from teleprompters.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

April 24, 2010

D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray adjusts the teleprompter before making the official announcement that he is running for mayor, challenging Mayor Adrian Fenty, at the Washington D.C. Historical Society.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Dec. 15, 2009

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a speech at the Bella Centre during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Axel Schmidt / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 23, 2008

Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) reads from a teleprompter while addressing a “Joe the Plumber” campaign rally at the Robarts Arena in Sarasota, Fla.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Oct. 22, 2008

Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is reflected in a teleprompter screen as his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin addresses a campaign rally at the Green High School Memorial Stadium in Green, Ohio.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Nov. 7, 2006

Former New York governor Mario Cuomo, father of Democratic candidate for New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo, is reflected in a teleprompter as his son speaks to supporters at Democratic victory party in New York.

Mary Altaffer / AP

Jan. 19, 2006

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) speaks on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito in Washington.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

Feb. 1, 2005

President George W. Bush prepares for a State of the Union address.

Eric Draper / Getty Images

Sept. 20, 2004

The words of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) speech are seen in the teleprompter as he speaks at New York University.

Gerald Herbert / AP

March 26, 2004

Former president Bill Clinton, whose image is reflected in the podium teleprompter, addresses guests at a Democratic Party fundraiser at the National Building Museum in Washington.

Rich Lipski / The Washington Post

July 30, 2000

Gen. Colin Powell has a technician adjust the teleprompters at the podium of the First Union Center in Philadelphia on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

Elise Amendola / AP

May 31, 1995

Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) looks at the teleprompter as he delivers his speech in Los Angeles, where he chastised Hollywood for promoting violence, rape and casual sex in music and movies during a fundraising event.

Kevork Djansezian / AP

Sept. 24, 1984

President Ronald Reagan, standing behind a teleprompter, picks up his speech after his address to the 39th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

David Pickoff / AP

March 15, 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson addresses a joint session of Congress to outline his proposals for voting rights for all citizens. Vice President Hubert Humphrey is at left and House Speaker John McCormack is at right.

/ AP

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