President: Abraham Lincoln
Date: Dec. 6, 1864
Words: 5,865
Estimate Time: None
Memorable Lines - “Privileges like these would render the possession of such securities to the amount limited most desirable to every person of small means who might be able to save enough for the purpose. The great advantage of citizens being creditors as well as debtors with relation to the public debt is obvious. Men readily perceive that they can not be much oppressed by a debt which they owe to themselves.”
Theme - The Cost of War
In Lincoln’s address it is evident that he is dealing with a world much different than the one we currently live in. The interesting thing is, of course, how similar it also is. A few of the things Lincoln touches upon, such as national debt or the impact of war, and this speech demonstrates why. Though not as famous as the Gettysburg Address, it demonstrates Lincoln’s grasp of a topic such as national spending, which seems more mundane than war but is ultimately of equal importance for the county’s health.
President: John F. Kennedy
Date: Jan. 14, 1963
Words: 5,740
Estimated Time: None
Memorable Lines - “The present state of our economy is disturbing. We take office in the wake of seven months of recession, three and one-half years of slack, seven years of diminished economic growth, and nine years of falling farm income.”
Theme - Fiscal Responsibility
There seems be a philosophical difference between the present approach of government stimulus spending and health care reform during an economic downturn and Kennedy’s call for a tax cut and tax reform, which he did during this third State of the Union address. Kennedy did not advocate cuts in government spending but, instead, called for the nation to use its resources wisely. This is very similar to what President Obama supports today. They both believe that the government cannot have its hands tied in the rebuilding of a nation.
President: Ronald Reagen
Date: Jan. 27, 1987
Words: 3,847
Estimated Time: 34 minutes
Memorable Lines - “Let's roll up our sleeves and go to work and put America's economic engine at full throttle.”
“Now, from foreign borders let us return to our own, because America in the world is only as strong as America at home.”
Theme - Resolve to Restore
Ronald Reagan’s 1987 State of the Union speech ends in much the same way that current President Obama’s campaign began, talking about America’s position on the world stage. This is the address in which Reagan acknowledges errors in Iran. Reagan plans to position America to succeed in the future, but his point seems to be that the nation’s economic core must be strengthened at home before attempting too much beyond its shores.
President Obama
State of the Nation – February 24, 2009
Memorable Line - “The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation.”
Theme - Active Optimism
Relatively new to office at the time, President Obama’s State of the Nation was very honest. He acknowledged that the situation America was in was did not offer easy solutions, and that many of today’s problems stem from the apathy of yesterday. Nation’s tend to make their own destinies, however, and the current crisis will not be overwhelming. Housing plans and programs to put money into the hands of the American people are highlights of the speech, as well as a call to unity that President Obama, as have many past presidents, highlights.
Cairo Speech – June 4, 2009
Memorable Line - “Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis.”
Theme - Difficult Diplomacy
It would be easy to assume that this speech has been one of Barack Obama’s most difficult speeches to date. In speaking about our military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, using the wrong words is not an option for the President of the United States. He did not start the war but cannot afford to let it end in failure for either America or Iraq.
First 100 days – April 29,2009
Memorable Line - “We will rebuild a stronger nation, and we will endure as a beacon for all of those weary travelers beyond our shores who still dream that there's a place where all of this is possible.”
Theme - Expectation and Achivement
In his review of his first 100 days in office as President of the United States, Barack Obama said that he as proud of what he had accomplished so far but not at all satisfied. With expectations heavy upon him, following a campaign run that built momentum unlike any in history, Obama commented on getting his promises accomplished and what would time frame would be required. He also talked about fair expectations of him and how he was going to, “lay a new foundation for growth.”
No comments:
Post a Comment