On Tuesday January 20, 2009, President Barack Obama delivered his Inaugural address, as the forty-fourth president of the United States of America. Obama’s Inaugural speech was a historic moment that was witnessed not only by the three million people actually attending the event, but also, the world. It was a big step for America, as they voted in the first African American president. Barack Obama humbly recognized the great challenges the nation was against, and he offered a reassuring message that these problems will be solved. Taking a closer look at Barack Obamas speech and the many promises he makes to the American people, he clearly has outlined a fundamental plan. Knowing that there is a long road ahead and we have a clear plan set in place, by a leader who seems to have the nation in the palm of his hand, we will take a closer look at the inaugural address of Barack Obama, Looking at how Obama radiates leadership and his skilled use of Rhetoric to catch the attention of the American Public
Barack Obama begins his Address by thanking the former president (Bush) for his service to the country. He moves on and mentions that the oath has been taken forty four times.
The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents. (Obama, 2009)
The Essay on Spanish American War Americans America Fought Because We Had Big Mone
The Spanish and American War The Americans were brought into The Spanish and American War on February 15, 1898. The Americans came into this war because a naval boat of ours called the Maine was blown up. On that boat, 327 of our sailors were killed in the explosion. With this explosion, the navy used it by having a slogan," Remember the Maine," to get volunteers into the navy to help fight. We ...
Obama demonstrates that although the United States is in a depression, they will be able to pull themselves out. During the course of his speech he exhibits two arguments. There is a long road ahead to rebuilding America to be the most substantial country in the world, and there will be tough choices and sacrifices made by all. On the other hand, he radiates optimism, and is sure that they, as a nation, will soon rise (again) to be one of the most powerful nations in the world. “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.” (Obama. 2009).
When we come to the end of his speech, he pays homage to the fact the he is the first African American president. “This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.” (Obama, 2009).
He reminds his audience that he has a plan, to work together with the country, and bring America to the pinnacle of greatness.
While addressing the preceding issues, Obama has to realize that the rhetoric bar is quite high. His success began when he gave his first address to the Democratic National convention, when he first began his presidential candidacy. Within his first speech, we notice there is a remarkable resemblance to Martin Luther King Jr. who also had an illustrious way with words. The most prominent similarity between these two magnificent speakers, is their use of repetition, with kings’ “I have a dream” (King 1963), and Obamas’ “Yes we can” (Obama, 2008).
The use of repetition develops a strong message, and uses a simple phrase to get people excited about the ideas being presented. Obama has an incredible, almost poetic flow to his speech. The way he presents himself is a large part of what makes his addresses so influential and successful.
The Essay on Barack Obama Speech: A Better World, A More Perfect Union
In the speech “A More Perfect Union” by Barack Obama he appeals to the emotions of the readers when he says “I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together, unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all ...
In order to have any validity to your statements, one must have a strong presence, Barack Obama expresses a very poised composure al throughout his speech, his body language, his dramatic cadences, and his deep, flowing voice are all factors in what makes Obama an charismatic speaker. I think the most successful trait Obama possesses, is his ability to evoke extreme emotion in his audience, he does this with the skilled use of effective pausing. He has each sentence, each thought, each breath, planned to a tea, and this helps keep his audience engaged, wanting more, and hanging on his every word.
Amongst having the presence to deliver a speech that has validity and a passionate tone, when one is finished one must have persuaded the audience that their points are in their best interest. Barack Obama does this very well. The tactic that Obama uses, is a combination, of modesty, humbleness, and honesty. Being blunt, but honest with the people makes them more active, and gives them a feeling of being in control; they feel as though there is nothing being kept from them, and so, they lay their complete and unquestioning attention with the speaker, in this case Obama.
Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. (Obama, 2009)
Obama puts the blame on not only, himself, as a citizen of the United States but also, all of the other citizens that have stopped caring, and walked away from the chance to change their country for the better. In saying that it is the citizens fault for the current state of the country, Obama put a lot of faith in the love, and passion his supporters show for him; some might say he scorned them, and that they could have turned on him just as quickly as they fell in love with him, when in fact, it was the completely opposite reaction. I think the People of the united states knew they needed some ‘tough love’ and that is exactly what he gave them.
The Essay on Barrack Obama Inaugural Speech Analysis
Barrack Obama’s inaugural speech was in many ways similar to his predecessors, cleverly written, thoroughly rehearsed and immaculately delivered. However in many ways it was different, different in the colour of Presidents skin, different in the time the oath was taken “amidst gathering clouds and raging storms”, different in the state of Americas economy. America wanted change and barrack Obama ...
There were many promises made to the American people, and Barack Obama laid out a long and winding road of recovery for the country. He expressed his gratitude to the nation for putting their trust in him. He scorned the American People, and he gave them his plan to help re-build America to the strong nation it once was. There is no doubt, just as Lincoln, Kennedy, and King, Obama Is the paramount speaker of his day. He has the right combination of presence, modesty and clarity that is needed in order to be a successful rhetorician. Obama has clear insight into the goals he wants to present, the goals are simple enough for the audience to grasp, and he has a devised plan in order to bring those goals to fruition. This speech can not be improved in my mind, Obama is the great speaker of his day, and on that brisk January morning he delivered a inauguration speech that will be remembered throughout history.
Reference:
Obama, Barack H. “Inaugural Address.” 2009 Presidential Inaugural. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20 Jan. 2009.
Kennedy, John F. “Inaugural Address.” 1961Presidential Inaugural. Capitol Building, Washington D.C. 20 Jan. 1961
King, Martin Luther, Jr. “I Have a Dream.” March on Washington. Lincoln Memorial: Washington. 28 August 1963.
