Obama Speech, Coursework Example

Compared to the recent inaugurals, President Obama’s speech was coherent with America’s current state of affairs. It was not one of those dirty laundry inclinations. For those who may be opposed to this, I would love to hear them give better propositions for the direction of Obama’s speech. Even though Barack Obama’s sentiments were more of political nature, his speechwriters ensured that he remained on the right path throughout (Maya, 2013). The president laid out quite a number of issues that ranged from immigration reforms, gay rights and gun control. Yes of course we have heard the mention of thing issues since time immemorial but we should not be weary of hearing them again because these are the very things that shape our diverse American society. The speech was a success in line with this logic. Whereas it fell short of eloquent expressions to attach it to this particular moment, it served as reminder for the American political mind which has received tremendous progress but which still continues to be consumed by some undoing such as confusion.

The speech was all-inclusive and solid, yet again showed an exemplified progressive vision. Those who assisted in writing this speech did a great job. President Obama’s speechwriters did a lot in shaping his speech to plea to the American class of traditionalist susceptibilities by stressing on the renowned deeds and words of our American founding fathers. He also employed the rhetoric that saw him win massive allegiance from many American citizens and that is unity and shared American values. Obama asserted that he and the American people recall that colors of skin, tenets of faith or the origins of names does not bind them together. The thing that makes the American people unique is their commitment to the knowledge expressed in a declaration two centuries old.

Like his predecessors such as Reagan and Roosevelt, perhaps the president thought it as an opportunity to reflect on his first term experiences in office. His first term inauguration speech leaned more on the restoration of the American politics. However in this second inaugural speech, the president shifted this focus to a dream of a better society where the government is responsible for the protection of the rights of the frail in the society, promotion of economic growth and as a solution to those difficulties we cannot face on our own as the American people.

The disparities between his two inaugural speeches were quite notable (Cohn, 2013). In 2009 the president called for more cooperation from all spheres of the political scene. He rallied for a united course together with his critics in the opposition. Even though this was a noble gesture, the president would later realize that it was fruitless to beg for the support of the opposition in government. President Obama’s detractors were already energizing on how to clash with him at every presented opportunity. The president managed to mobilize the support of the citizens in lobbying for the passage of crucial bills in his first term in office. The country did not fall in to depression and this was a result of his enduring efforts. This has ensured that the future for America’s economic prosperity has a firm ground laid in place for it. He also instigated new protocols to Wall Street as well as progressing the tax code. Most important of all, the president managed to put in place a health insurance policy that will ensure that all citizens of America have medical cover.

The speechwriters who drafted this second inaugural speech made sure that the message for the presidents’ political, economic and social milestones were visibly highlighted in his speech. As Obama said, they were a reassertion of the idea that the American needs a spirited, activist government. His speech commenced by him alluding to the Declaration of Independency. Contrary to the words of President Reagan, Obama saw the government as a guardian of liberty and not an obstruction to the freedoms of the American citizen.

In this way, the speech served the purpose of setting out a new focus for the American people but with their needs at heart. President Obama’s appeal to the American citizens was that they embrace the changing because it’s vital for them to look for new methods of dealing with the challenges that face them.

He was no ashamed to use this word “collective” since it has actually been of great to him. He did get the support of many American citizens to make a number of laws sail through despite the opposition of The Republicans. The President plainly gave a strident rejection of the notion that the government encourages dependency from its citizens. This was yet another attack on the Republicans who in the past have voted to terminate economic security guarantees for the less privileged and the ageing citizens. President Obama then went on to articulate how he plans to execute this vision in his last term in office.

Another successfully positive gesture was that the president had a renewed energy to address climate change in his speech. He promised to improve forests, waterways, crops and other sustainable energy sources as the forefathers had once declared (Guardian, 2013).

Remarkably, the president did not forget to remind the Americans that they should only expect the achievable and nothing less or more than that. The president said that Americans should assume that work will be done perfectly or victories will be won in totality during his second term governance, but asked them to be open-ended for one is so definite about the future except God himself.

The larger part of the speech was explicit to America at present. American themes such as the civil war, slavery, discrimination and the American revolutionary arced throughout. The president’s speech foretells his goals for a better country (Wilson, 2013). This includes a nation where a person’s sexual orientation is respected, rights and values are significantly upheld and where education is prioritized. Observance and maintenance of the law is also given great emphasis while he calls for timely actions to better the future of all Americans.

The speechwriters did ensure that the rest of the globe would be addressed as well, presenting America as a first among the equals. His will to work with other nations is seen when he mentions to support democracy all over the world and be a source of courage to the poor, victims of prejudice and others who have despaired in life so as to restore human dignity and justice all over the world.

It is only fair to appreciate the articulation of President Obama’s second inaugural speech. The speech will convey a lot of meaning to many future generations as it does to the current ones. Indeed those who were involved in the making of this speech managed to capture the main American themes and the president did quite well in delivering this speech to the citizens of America.

Obama Speech

References

Obama inaugural speech defends liberal goals. (2013, January 21). AP Worldstream, p. 1.

Obama’s second inaugural is a political speech. (2013, January 21). AP Online, p. 2.

Politics-U.s.: Inaugural Speech Gives All Something to Chew On. (2009, January 22). Interpress Service, p. 1.

Wilson (2013, January 22). Obama Brings More Optimism, Partisanship and Populism to Second Inaugural Speech (Posted 2013-01-22 00:04:12); Difference in Tone, Message from 2009 to 2013 Gives Hints of Obama’s Goals for His Second Term. The Washington Post, p. 1.

Cohn, J. (n. d.). Obama’s Second Inaugural Will Stand the Test of Time | New Republic. New Republic. Retrieved February 1, 2013, from http://www.newrepublic.com/blog/plank/112066/obama-second-inaugural-fdr-reagan-vision-government-action-protect-vulnerable#

Obama’s second inaugural address: panel verdict | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk. (2013, January 21). Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian. Retrieved February 1, 2013, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/21/obama-second-inaugural-address-panel

(2013, January 22). President Obama’s second inauguration speech. Feministing | Young Feminists Blogging, Organizing, Kicking Ass. Retrieved February 1, 2013, from http://feministing.com/2013/01/22/president-obamas-second-inauguration-speech/