In an epic political move, a young Senator from California, Richard M. Nixon, took to the television, to apologetically address the accusations that he was using campaign donations for personal expenses. His speech is significant in that he brought to light his theory of being honest and straight forward, as well as, proving that money is not always needed in being successful. Nixon changed the way politicians in America preached their ideas, concerns, and platforms. Through a brilliant speech, reaching over sixty million Americans, which is now known to all as the 'Checkers ' speech, Nixon went live and blatantly informed the American people of his life 's expenses, argued that public office candidates should not have to be wealthy in …show more content…
Money cannot always buy votes. Nixon’s sacrifice for his country, incredible work ethic, and the strength he exemplified when he delivered his speech, proved to pull peoples’ attention when he was elected Vice President. He introduced a valid argument about what it takes to be a President, when he stated, “that it’s essential in this country of ours that a man of modest means can also run for President” (Nixon). Wealth does not define a person’s values, beliefs or character. Nixon was able to integrate this into the situation by speaking directly to the common people. Nixon used his own financial problems, and in a sense, made it relatable to sixty million Americans. He exemplified that he cared more about their opinion of his character than the amount of money he had. The approach he used to deliver his flaws was inspiring because he never let a few financial problems keep him from accomplishing his goals. A man who can bare his life before a significantly large audience would gain much more respect than a man who inherited his father’s money and believed that only the wealthy folk could be successful in …show more content…
Overall, Nixon faced his accusations with strength and honesty. He laid out a detailed script of his financial crises and proved that he was not using the campaign money inappropriately. In his speech to the common people, Nixon exemplified his theory of telling the truth, and demonstrated that wealth is not always the answer to success. He was a determined individual and worked his way to the top. Nixon went straight to the common people and showed that he cared more about their opinion of his character than other wealthy politicians. Remarkably this speech has had such historical significance because it marked the beginning of American politics beginning played out on television. To this day, when a politician makes an emotional speech, it 's often called a 'Checkers '
Richard M. Nixon was the intended Vice President running mate on the Dwight Eisenhower Republican ticket in the 1952 election. A couple of months before the November general election an article in the New York Post alleged that Nixon was using privately donated campaign money for his own personal luxury. The scandal almost cost him his place on the ticket, but Nixon in response delivered the speech now referred to as the ‘Checkers Speech’, that saved his reputation and his place on the ticket. Speeches invoked as a response to accusations or attacks of character are classified in the rhetorical genre apologia or otherwise known as an apology speech.
It seems that Nixon, emphasizing the speech on his humble roots, financial struggles, and thrifty middle-class values, tries to convince people that he is actually one of them; because he comes from the same background, and faces the same issues that they do. Moreover, the assumption is that if he really is one of the common honest people, then there is no possibility he misused the campaign money. 3. Yes, Nixon uses appeal to pity, red herring, and the straw man fallacies.
On August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon made a speech that would guarantee him a special spot in American History books for many, many years to come. Although Nixon is known for the Watergate Scandal, many presidents have had scandals; however, he is the only president to have resigned from office (Nixon, 1974). Stuck in a media frenzy of accusations pointing to him being guilty, many of course question Nixon’s credibility at this point. As a rich, white man holding such a high political position, many would not question his credibility. However, his reputation is now tainted by accusations of him being a crook and dishonest to the American people.
This creates the illusion that “Nixon puts his personal needs aside to better fulfill the needs of the public, appealing to their emotions. This allows the people to overlook the past actions of their leader and feel valued” (Nixon Resignation Rhetorical Analysis, Caitlin, Mady, and Sarah). Nixon is very good at spinning a situation into a positive light, and using rhetorical devices like pathos to do so in this example here. Nixon also uses repetition. Nixon countlessly mentions the “interest of the nation,” really driving home the overall message that Nixon cared for the nation and that’s why he is stepping down, not because he would be removed from office or resented by the American
President Nixon is one of the most famous Presidents in American history for being the first one to resign from office. While Nixon is famous for doing such an unthinkable act, he is also the one that gave one of the best and most well known speeches in political history, The Checkers Speech. The speech was given by (Senator at the time) President Nixon when he was running for Vice President on General Eisenhower’s Presidential ticket. A newspaper, the New York Post, had a front page with the headline "Secret Rich Men's Trust Fund Keeps Nixon in Style Far Beyond His Salary"; the article alleged that people were donating to a secret fund that Nixon had for his personal benefit in trade for political favors.
Which at first glance looks like a positive thing but once you dive deeper into what his real motives are, it's rather eye opening. Let's start with the war on crime. During this time you had the black panthers who were people fighting for civil rights, people who were fighting for women's rights, and people who were fighting for gay rights. Nixon felt the need to fight against these movements and therefore one was more likely to get arrested for attending these rallies— for committing a crime which really wasn't a crime. He strategically blinded the public to this by calling it "the war on crime".
The thirty seventh president’s tone throughout the speech was genuine and anguished. He stated frequently his regret towards his resignation; when this passage is read aloud, it is stressed heavily on pathos and that Nixon defended his decision with the selflessness of his own emotions and did what is better for the country (“American”). In his speech, Richard Nixon establishes his credibility and then goes on to show the logic of why he is resigning along with sparking the reader’s emotions in defense of him through the use of frequent fallacies and rhetorical devices. Nixon goes on to speak of his accomplishments and the tasks he hopes the American people will achieve with a new president, but those ideas are shadowed by the steady reminders by Nixon himself of the circumstances that are causing him to resign the Presidency that overall make Nixon’s arguments to logic and his credibility seem
As President Kennedy enters office he gives an speech on the celebration of freedom; symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning of a new nation. Kennedy rises for the opportunity for persuasion after his inauguration has been addressed and he scarcely beats nixon. President Kennedy uses his authority for persuasion to bring the american people together under his power. The president uses the experience of war,poverty,and the desire for peace to develop an emotional appeal between the U.S and the world population. In this speech Kennedy uses ethos,pathos,logos,as well as other rhetorical devices to convince the audience.
In FDR: Advocate for the American People, David M. Kennedy paints Roosevelt in a bright light by stating, “he had a profound feeling for the underdog, a real sense of the critical imbalance of economic life a very keen awareness that political democracy could not exist side by side with economic plutocracy.” Essentially, Kennedy saw Roosevelt as someone who cared for the American Public and placed the needs of the people first. Kennedy is able to show readers that Roosevelt truly cares for the public when he states that, Roosevelt truly believed that the people could not be “self supporting” and that “without the help of thousands of others, any one of us would die, naked and starved.” By referencing to Roosevelt’s speech, Kennedy is able
After a recession in 1962 steel companies decided to raise prices dramatically. Consequently, President Kennedy approached the steel companies and asked them to lower prices, but they continued to raise them. The steel company raised prices, therefore, America could not afford it with a war occurring. President Kennedy then held a press conference for the public, with many different rhetorical strategies, turn the American public against the steel companies.
5. Identify an example of logos in the speech. Explain why it fits the parameters of logos. “The orderly implementation of the Supreme Court decision, therefore, cannot be left solely to those who may not have the economic resources to carry the legal action or who may be subject to harassment.” Kennedy explains that from the situation, Americans cannot expect that African Americans can fight for their rights through legal action on their own.
On August 8th, 1974 at exactly 9:01 pm, Richard Nixon--former President-- gave a speech that would affect both United States history and the american people. Richard Nixon’s argument and claim lay within the textual aspects, in other words, his tone, attitude, and the strategic ways of presenting to his audience. In this historical speech, Richard Nixon broadcasted his character, past decisions, and future advice to the people of the United States in order to justify his resignation from the presidential office. The rhetorical stylistic tools were effective and instrumental in backing up the argument. Recognition of audience was important, because it will determine his attitude and tone, which was innocence.
He increased the number of forces in South Vietnam. The war escalated then he decided to not run for reelection. Nixon used the war to his advantage. He promised to find a way to end the Vietnam War, pledging America would have “peace with honor”. Now he had to uphold this promise and implement a plan, but it didn’t work.
He had amassed a collection of government fills, tape records, and intelligence on the common people in the Watergate building. After it was broken into, files were stolen and released to the public. It was the first real time that the general public learned just how paranoid Nixon was, but also how much he wanted to keep the power he already had. As these precious documents surfaced, one could see in full light that Nixon exhibited all the symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder. He was always distrustful of people, he recorded every encounter he had, so that one could twist his words against him.
In his essay, Hills explains how Nixon evokes the intended response from the immediate audience by gaining support for the war. Nixon states in his speech, “tonight-to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans-I ask for your support.” Here, Nixon uses resentment in sacrifice in lives and finance, longing for some action in a marked direction were strategies used to gain support instead of “teaching.” This in turn allowed America to continue in the war which proves that he agrees with Foss for Nixon’s primary role was not that of a teacher or