Is the problem that they're too 'left' as in radical, or red? Or is it just that they're not really saying anything very interesting? I suspect it's nearly impossible to say anything cogent or gripping about the world situation in under 3 minutes. There's certainly very little clear disagreement among the speakers, that would be more engaging. (Though I'd draw the line at celebrity death-match.)
Nathan, did your friends actually disagree with the speakers being too left-wing? Or was it their haranguing style? Or is it that the rallies are boring tactically? I frequently feel that it's not the speakers (specks on stage) or the organizers (nearly invisible) so much as the crowd that's just going through the motions.
Jenny Brown