Senator Barack Obama, the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee, is perhaps one of the most gift speakers to come along in many years. I used to say that he’s as talented as President Clinton in that regard, but in some ways he’s even better. And in some ways, he’s worse.

With 20 speech writers assisting him, Senator Obama has delivered one excellent speech after another during the 2008 campaign. You would never know he’s reading a speech because he sounds so comfortable and natural.

But take him away from his prepared text and he’s really no better than any other politician. So, while I would rate Obama as superior in skills to many of the gifted speakers of modern times when it comes to giving a prepared speech, I would rate many, including John McCain, as better when it comes to speaking “off-the-cuff” to reporters and voters.

Nothing underscores this problem more than the fact that Obama’s advisers are now trying to structure his public appearances to a much greater degree. The New York Times reports that such efforts have led to further embarrassments. At a recent rally, two women wearing Muslim hijabs were not allowed to sit near the Senator for fear they would be photographed with him.

So, while Obama was quick to criticize Senator McCain for a private, no-press-allowed, fund raiser about a month ago, he has since held several private appearances of his own where the media was barred from the event. Even the foreign press, which lavishes a great deal of loving attention on Senator Obama, are taking notice. UK-based Times Online today posted their Top five Obama gaffes. And this article exposes just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problematic statements made by Obama over the past several months.

This underscores a sizable weakness for Senator Obama, his difficulties with an open format where it is difficult to structure an answer for every question. When it comes to ad-libbing, Senator Obama struggles while Senator McCain shines.

Part of the problem stems from the fact that Senator Obama is both young and inexperienced. He’s a freshman Senator who has spent most of his first term running for President.

The decision to immediately run for the highest office is, I believe, the one that will be debated most in the future should he fail in his presidential bid. Why did Senator Obama feel the need to run for President so quickly after being elected to Congress? Even the admittedly-ambitious Senator Clinton waited until her second term before running.

This has already been a fascinating race. No doubt there is more to come.