rhetorical analysis barack obama's inaugural speech

En Español | Rhetorical Devices in Barack Obama’s 2013…

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En Español | Rhetorical Devices in Barack Obama’s 2013 Inauguration Speech

While he does so, we decided to take a look at many of the rhetorical strategies he employed in his inaugural address. Points of the speech are identified by times they occur in the video below.

for the transcript of the speech.

I. Start slowly and with an increasingly broad audience. (0:56 to 1:08)

Obama has been compared to a preacher. He began his address as many preachers do by speaking slowly and gradually acknowledging the audiences to whom he was speaking. He started with his Vice President, moved to Chief Justice John Roberts and the members of Congress before turning to his fellow citizens. By doing this he respected the power of the political offices and made it clear that he is part of the citizenry.

II. Ground the address in the founding documents and religions and the promises they contain. (1:12 to 2:22)

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are arguably the most important documents in American political history. Obama explicitly drew on them when he read the opening sentence of the Declaration of Independence, spoke about the affirmation of the Constitution by holding the inauguration and repeatedly said, “We, the people,” which are the first words of the Constitution’s preamble. Obama also asserted the Americans’ allegiance to the idea of democracy makes us exceptional.

III. Insert religion into the speech. (2:47 to 2:53)

Although there is constitutionally-mandated separation of Church and State in the United States, political leaders of both stripes often ground their speeches in mentions of God at the beginning and ending of their addresses. Obama was no different, saying that freedom is a gift from God and closing by asking God to bless the people who attend and the country as a whole.

IV. Refer to political hero Abraham Lincoln. (3:10 to 3:16, 3:30 to 3:41)

Obama’s positive regard for the 16th President, another lawyer from Illinois, is no secret. In his address, he twice referred to him. First time alluded to closing of the Gettysburg Address, the second time he quoted directly from Lincoln’s 1858 House Divided speech, which he delivered at the Illinois State Capitol.

V. Place the current moment in an historic context and introduce a central metaphor. (3:24 to 4:26)

Obama placed the current moment in an historic context of Americans’ acting to make the promises of the nation real and meeting the challenges set before them. He talked about coming through the Civil War as a free nation, building a modern economy and deciding to care for the poor and vulnerable in the society. These are the earlier stages of the never-ending journey he describes. The image of the journey provided coherence for the earlier actions and set Obama up for his later assertion that the journey is an incomplete one.

VI. Emphasize the task’s collective nature. (4:47 to 5:41)

Obama did this in several different ways. He specifically said that preserving individual freedom takes collective action and said that the nation’s challenges can only be met if we act as one nation and one people.

VII. Use repetition.

This is another preacherly device that Obama used throughout his speech. He used “You and I” two times, “Together, we” three times, said “We, the people” four times and declared that our “Our journey is not yet complete” five times. These phrases reinforced the underlying message and built emotional momentum.

VIII. Dispute assumed contradictions. (8:24 to 8:53, 11:27 to 11:38)

Obama has done this throughout his career, perhaps most famously where he said in the 2004 Democratic National Convention that there are no blue or red states, but only the United States of America. Here he said that the nation does not have to choose between caring for the previous generation and investing in young people and that lasting security does not require perpetual war.

IX. Articulate a combination of beliefs and specific issues. (10:02 to 11:24)

This is a reciprocal process of pointing to specific issues like climate change with a statement of belief, in this case that we are have a responsibility to posterity. By talking about both Obama sought to avoid being overly technocratic and policy oriented on the one hand, and excessively ungrounded on the other.

X. Mention key social movements as an illustration of We the People. (13:46 to 14:23)

Obama made it clear that he considers people whose rights were not initially granted during the constitution an integral part of the people who have ennobled the nation through their struggles to have it be true to the common creed. This list includes the women’s rights supporters who gathered at Seneca Falls, the civil rights marchers who protested and were beaten in Selma, Alabama, and the gay and lesbian people who protested their abuse during the Stonewall riots in 1970. Obama also paid tribute to the ordinary people who participated in the March on Washington in 1963, specifically mentioning Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He used the same line about coming to hearing “a King” in his presidential announcement in February 2007.

XI. Build to an emotional crescendo and define the task of the moment. (14:30 to 16:16)

Obama started speaking with more energy and volume and emotional force as he progressed. By saying our journey is not complete, Obama asserted that there is still more work to be done that is our generation’s task. He said that it is our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began before identifying the specific tasks that need to be accomplished and then making the broader point that the ultimate goal is to make the rights and values that Jefferson articulated in the Declaration of Independence real for every American.

XII. Acknowledge humility. (17:13 to 17:38)

Obama says openly that the work will not be completed, but rather will be imperfect and taken up by subsequent generations. But it must be undertaken now.

XII. State the connection between his efforts and that of ordinary Americans. (17:44 to 18:28)

In addition to making it clear that he is also a citizen in his the opening of his address, Obama described the oath of office he had just taken as very similar to that of an immigrant taking an oath of citizenship-here he appeared to be signaling his commitment to immigration reform-a soldier enlisting in the army, or other Americans pledging allegiance to the flag.

XIV. Close with religion and country. (19:21 to 19:25)

It is a standard element of American political speeches to end by asking God to bless the people in attendance and the country as a whole.

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Barack Obama's 2009 Inaugural Address: Analysis

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5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech

Nonetheless, studying the speech provides five key speechwriting lessons that can help us all be better communicators.

This article is the latest in a series of video speech critiques which help you analyze and learn from excellent speeches.

Speech Video: Barack Obama delivers Inauguration Speech

I encourage you to:

• Watch the video below (or listen to the audio );
• Read the analysis in this speech critique;
• Study the speech text in the complete transcript; and
• Share your thoughts on this presentation.

Speech Analysis – Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

Note that numbers in square brackets (e.g. [14]) refer to paragraph numbers in the speech text at the end of this article.

Speechwriting Lesson #1: Start with a Strong, Simple Speech Outline

Speech analysis by media pundits often focuses exclusively on the soundbites — a few phrases here and there hole-punched out of a 17-minute speech. It is easy to forget that other words were used to stitch together those soundbites into (hopefully) a cohesive whole.

So, it is worthwhile to study and analyze the speech outline of Obama’s inauguration speech, because all speechwriters can learn from the strong, simple structure which helped convey his message coherently.

My own wishlist for his speech was that he would accomplish five tasks:

• Be frank and honest about the realities of the economy and wars
• Address the sagging morale and lack of confidence
• Appear strong
• Offer an olive branch to the world
• Make a call-to-action for personal contributions (along the lines of “Ask not what your country can do…”)

I think Obama achieved all of these aims in his inauguration speech using a simple six-part structure:

• Thank you [paragraphs 1-2] Some will point to Obama’s mention of Bush as mere formality, but it’s more significant than that. Obama is preaching respect for the individual regardless of whether you agree with them. Thus, it is important he follows his own advice. To do otherwise would damage his credibility.
• Honestly acknowledge the economic crisis [paragraphs 3-7] Obama was blunt and direct, using phrases like “ the challenges … are real. They are serious and they are many. ” He didn’t promise solutions in this year or the next. He didn’t sugarcoat it, and I applaud him for that. As the economic issue is #1 in the minds of Americans, he was wise to address this first in his speech. Equally important, he showed great resolve and leadership with his powerful “ But know this, America — they will be met. “
• Americans have always faced crises and overcome them [paragraphs 8-17] In this section of the speech, Obama stays consistent with his message of hope that won him the election. He is speaking directly to millions of Americans who feel the “ sapping of confidence across our land ” [paragraph 6]. He cites scripture [10], refers to the Declaration of Independence [10], and then reminds his audience of the struggles of the past which were overcome [paragraphs 12-15]. He concludes this section by reminding everyone that the core American strength still persists [paragraph 16].
• Address cynics [paragraphs 18-20] This brief interlude seems to be aimed at Congress and other political forces. In an attempt to persuade those who are skeptical of his plans, the key phrase here is “Their memories are short.”
• Speak about and to the World [paragraphs 21-26] This section was very, very strong. His words are strong, yet friendly. He charts a new foreign policy which is anchored on common, human ideals. I expect that this part of the speech will be received quite favorably around the world.
• The solution lies within the determination of the people [paragraphs 27-35] Obama transitions back to the American people with remarkable skill. Drawing a parallel between the armed forces and normal citizens in terms of embodying a spirit of service was masterful. This is the call-to-action which I was particularly looking for, and he delivered beyond expectations. The concluding story taken from the Revolutionary war was a great metaphor, and a fine way to conclude.

Speechwriting Lesson #2: Craft Impactful Lines

The message and outline are more important, but the soundbites are important too.

If there’s one weakness in Obama’s speech , it’s that there’s no clear , unmistakable phrase which people will be quoting years from now (although only time holds the definitive judgment).

• There was no “Ask not what your country can do for you”.
• There was no “I have a dream”.
• There was no “This was their finest hour.”
• There was no “Yes we can.”

But that’s not to say that this speech was lacking in wonderfully crafted and impactful lines . As I listened, several of these resonated strongly with me and I found myself thinking “Oh, what a line!”

• “ … begin again the work of remaking America. ” [paragraph 16]
• “ Their memories are short. ” [18] (I particularly loved the brevity of this line)
• “ The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works ” [19] (He busts open the debate by reframing the question.)
• “ [W]e reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. ” [21] (A particularly sharp indictment of Bush’s policies.)
• “ [W]e are ready to lead once more. ” [21] (Simply stated, but this is exactly what America’s allies wanted to hear.)
• “ For the world has changed, and we must change with it. ” [26]
• “ What is required now is a new era of responsibility ” [29]

Finally, although it wasn’t a single line, I loved everything about how paragraphs 27 and 28 were crafted (which included “ a moment that will define a generation “, even though it is a somewhat cliche statement).

Will any of these be quoted decades from now? It’s impossible to tell, but my money is on “ the work of remaking America ” or “ a new era of responsibility .”

Speechwriting Lesson #3: Employ the Magical Rule of Three

Finding examples of the Rule of Three in speeches by great speakers is like finding smiling kids in a candy store. Examples abound!

But this does not lessen the importance of this speechwriting tactic. Quite the opposite! If all the Presidential speechwriters wield the Rule of Three, why don’t you do it more often ?

Here are just some of the examples in the inauguration speech of varying length:

• “ humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. ” [paragraph 2]
• “ Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. ” [5]
• “ Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and […] energy […] threaten our planet. ” [5]
• “ all are equal, all are free, and all deserve […] pursue […] happiness. ” [10]
• “ struggled and sacrificed and worked ” [15]
• “ birth or wealth or faction ” [15]
• “ we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America ” [16]
• “ to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day ” [19]
• “ the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. ” [22]

Speechwriting Lesson #4: Amplify Words by Drawing Contrasts

As pointed out in the speech analysis of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” , sometimes the best way to highlight and sharpen concepts is to introduce contrast .

Here are a few examples from Obama’s Inauguration speech:

• “ rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace ” versus “ gathering clouds and raging storms ” [paragraph 3]
• “ know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. ” [25]
• “ we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist ” [25]
• “ a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. ” [32]

Speechwriting Lesson #5: Thread Your Theme Throughout Your Speech

If the core message of your speech is the plot of the story, then the theme of your speech is the setting and mood .

Stated another way, your message is the what you say — your theme is the how you say it .

Inauguration speeches are very naturally set with themes that emphasize the continuity and progress of a nation. Whatever the concerns of the era, they can be expressed relative to the past.

The theme for Obama’s inauguration speech could be expressed as “ drawing strength from our common past “. (This is consistent with Obama’s intellect — he is well versed in the nation’s history through his studies of Lincoln and others.) This speech repeatedly drew examples from the past and even urged the people to return to old values near the end of the speech:

But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths.

All in all, there are numerous references to the past to set the theme for this speech:

• “ mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors ” [paragraph 2]
• “ Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath ” [3]
• “ faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents ” [3]
• “ So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. ” [4]
• “ passed on from generation to generation ” [10]
• “ Our journey has never been … ” [11]
• “ Concord and Gettysburg ; Normandy and Khe Sahn ” [14] At seven words, this passage is wonderfully brief, yet manages to span four wars: Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War II, and Vietnam War, respectively.
• “ Their memories are short. ” [18]
• “ Our Founding Fathers […] expanded by the blood of generations. ” [21]
• “ Recall that earlier generations… ” [22]
• “ the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington ” [27]
• “ But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. ” [29]
• “ In the year of America’s birth… ” [33]

Verbal snapshot: Barack Obama’s Inauguation Speech (larger words used more often)

Barack Obama Inauguration Speech Prepared Text

[1] My fellow citizens:

[2] I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

[3] Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. 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 forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

[4] So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

[5] That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

[6] These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land – a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

[7] 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.

[8] On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

[9] On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

[10] We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

[11] In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things – some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

[12] For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

[13] For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

[14] For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

[15] Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

[16] This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. 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. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

[17] For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act – not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

[18] Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions – who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

[19] What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them – that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works – whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account – to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day – because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

[20] Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control – and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart – not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

[21] As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

[22] Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

[23] We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort – even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

[24] For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

[25] To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West – know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

[26] To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

[27] As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

[28] For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

[29] Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

[30] This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

[31] This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

[32] 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 sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

[33] So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

[34] “Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

[35] America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

[36] Thank you. God bless you.

[37] And God bless the United States of America.

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20 comments.

This is a thoughtful and insightful analysis of Obama’s speech. The 5 lessons are well put and useful for any writer. While in my blog I said Obama’s inaugural was ‘very good’ not ‘great’, nonetheless, it was artfully constructed and this blog brilliantly shows how.

the speech is good to getting to the point and although its not as great and optimistic as people had expected; its truthful and realistic to the current state and difficulties in which the nations stand.

One other thing that he did really did was the use of anaphora in paragraphs 12-14, each of these three paragraphs (again, power of three!) beginning with “For us”

Liked your comments, but would add lots more and indeed I think there are things to be remembered like the one I liked best: we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. or your people will judge you… thanks, I will subscribe right away to keep receiving comments and whatever

Where to begin… This is a suberb speech analysis, almost a complete speech writing course.

For me, the word pictures are amazing: “rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace” “we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist” Fantastic, easy to understand and the words apply to all of us. His speech gives us the thing that we all look for… hope, the thing that we all need.

The verbal snapshot is very clever, how is it done?

I have never read such an impressive and meaningfull speech. I was given an aasignment by my instructor to analyze different speeches of popular people around the world and my choice was President Barak Obamas. However, I couldn’t find any shortcoming in the speech. Good bless him so many so many times. Student Melkamu Bersissa From Africa, Ethiopia, Haramay University

I really like your article. But it would be great if you did´t just explain how to write a speech but how to analyse it. Thanks from Germany

I’ve written a comprehensive series on how to analyze a speech .

This article is very useful and wonderfully analysed. Thank you so much. There is so much skill and knowledge involved to be judgemental about one of the world’s greatest figures in today’s society! thank you !!

i have always admired MR Barack Obama speeches.am interested in speech making and i love this article.

Excellent analysis! I like the rhythm created by the rule of three and use that all the time.

I love reading your blog man, every tip is comes across as practical and readily applicable, easy to read and comfortable to follow, marvel to understand and a delight to learn. Your blog is a gem. Keep it coming, I’m going to visit your blog everyday from now on. Keep up your good work, thoroughly appreciate you insight & intellect.

Excellent analysis of an excellent speech! Very glad to have found this website- I was able to take a lot of key components of speech writing and delivery from this analysis.

anyone who loves this country would love the speech

Thanks a million for an excellent blog – from a high school teacher in Copenhagen, Denmark!

I love this!!! As a teacher it makes my job very easy. I appreciate you offering this lesson! Blessings to you and your family.

Many thanks! I usually use Obama’s speeches in my classes of English. So inspiring!

Sir, I would like to read more of your analysis of speeches. Thanks.

Thanks for the beautiful edition…….it gav me a better idea of making great speeches……on the other hand it would be much great if it is more illustrated.in simple terms…..thanks.

many thanks for the lessons you share. I not only like it as it is very academic, but I also make it the handout for my students. Again, many thanks.

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Delivery and Pathos: 2009 Presidential Inaugural Address

Abraham Miller

I dedicate this piece to my parents who have been my role models and continue to inspire me to be a better person. Without them, I would not be in the position or be afforded the opportunities I have today.

Keywords: Pathos, Delivery, Political Rhetoric, Inauguration

With more than 35 million people tuning into the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, the United States saw a new President grab the reins of the most important political position in the country (Lust). The Inaugural Address brought with it the departure of President George W. Bush and the arrival of a new leader, President Barack Obama. As someone who watched the event on television in my middle school classroom, the event resonates with me as a monumental moment in American history. Barack Obama’s Inaugural speech is powerful in terms of delivery and pathos, which will be the focus of this chapter.

Inaugural addresses are important for the country and its citizens to see their new leader as a spokesperson for the United States. People from across the world, focus their attention on the new President and the address for the country. Inaugural addresses offer the opportunity for the President to envision the country by outlining objectives and goals for the administration. Inaugural speeches, as the first speech given as President, serve as exceedingly important works, which serve to highlight a President’s delivery and rhetorical effectiveness. As the first Black President, the 2009 Inaugural ceremony serves as a testament to the growth of the country, a theme in President Obama’s speech.

Pathos is one of the three aspects of persuasion presented by Greek philosopher Aristotle. Pathos refers to the “power with which the writer’s (speaker’s) message moves the audience to his or her desirable emotional action” (Mshvenieradze). The ability to use emotions to captivate an audience is very important for a speaker when delivering a speech. President Obama employs emotion to describe the shared experience of hardships for the country by which the country will collectively rebound. Generally speaking, emotions are one of the most important factors leading to persuasion.

Leading up to the 2009 Presidential election was a time when the country’s economy saw some of its darkest times. The 2008 economic crisis shook the confidence of the American people which President Obama addresses in speech. President Obama talks about the United States as being in the “midst of crisis” with a weak economy and crumbling institutional infrastructure. Even despite “the challenges we face are real” and “they will not be met easily or in a short span of time” America is a strong country with strong citizens but “They [challenges or problems in the country] will be met” (Obama). At the conclusion of the sentence, the audience erupted in applause. The audience shared the emotional experience of the last few years and with a new President and administration in power, a new chapter is created that allows the people to write it themselves.

A theme in President Obama’s speech is a change from separation of people to unity. Obama explains the perspective of many different kinds of Americans such as those that are White, Hispanic, Black, and Asian. Race is a very emotional subject that has seen hardships since the foundation of the country. For example, President Obama talks about how his father and his struggle as a non-White person experienced segregation, not so long ago. Obama acknowledges the growth of the country “whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath” (Obama). The personal story from President Obama shows the growth of minority groups and the emotional journey that his family, like millions of families, endure in the United States.

President Obama’s Inaugural speech presents positive and negative feelings in his speech that contribute to the emotional appeals of the viewer. Obama directly references the Muslim world in his speech that experience great hatred from Americans after 9/11 terrorist attack. Yet President Obama wants the country to “seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect” which has not been the case, especially for the Bush administration (Obama). In a Pew Research Center poll in 2009, Muslims were the most discriminated against minority group in the United States (Pew Research). President Obama seeks to address this problem with a change in emotional sentiment about the group that lacked in past administrations.

President Obama’s speech might not resonate with the population who have strong feelings against minority groups. Specifically, Obama’s comment about Muslims might not resonate well with right wing conservationists who want a more repressive force on the religious group in association with the 9/11 attacks. Yet, this is a problem with any speech where a certain portion of the population does not agree with the orator’s opinion. Obama addresses this by pointing out the need for accountability for “those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy” (Obama). While President Obama’s speech might not be impactful for everyone, the use of emotions is effective in persuading an audience.

Delivery is a vital aspect for the success of any speech. As an important rhetorical concept, delivery is included in Roman philosopher Cicero’s idea of rhetorical canons. As one of the five aspects presented in the book De Inventione , delivery plays an important role in how a message is perceived by the public. Delivery is described by Cicero as the “regulating of the voice and body in a manner suitable to the dignity of the subjects spoken of and of the language employed” (Cicero). As one considers speeches, delivery is important because it allows the leader to connect with the audience through emotions.

President Obama’s use of hand gestures is one of the most visually apparent aspects during his Inaugural speech. Hand gestures offer a supplement for the words that are being spoken. President Obama’s hand gestures correspond with what he is saying. For instance, at the beginning of the speech, President Obama brings his hands together in a cupping shape. This gesture gives the impression of the President as a trustworthy individual. It is also associated with deliberation which is an important quality that people seek out in effective Presidents. Another hand gesture that is frequently used by President Obama is to point with an index finger. Although this might seem miniscule, he employs this by drawing attention to specific words or phrases. Furthermore, he uses this to transition from the perspectives of the narrator which allows the audience to grapple with the situation of the country.

Many people argue President Obama is an “overrated” orator because he relies on teleprompters. Teleporters are commonly used in public speeches and are commonly used for presidential speeches due to their importance on the delivery of specific points. The use of teleporters is effective, but they make the presenter appear scripted and merely “a voice” rather than speaking from the heart (Lee). While teleprompters enable the speaker assistance, virtually all Presidents have used them during the delivery of speeches especially important ones like the Inaugural Address.

Voice inflection is also an important part of delivery. For instance, President Obama, like many other speakers, changes their tone when they want to emphasize an essential point in his speech. When starting a new section of his speech, President Obama pauses and raises his tone by saying, “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord” (Obama). He keeps this tone by starting his next sentence “On this day” to stress the importance of a changing America. Using voice inflection refocuses the audience which reinforces the points made during a speech.

Presidential speeches are very important for citizens of the United States to hear what the President has to say. The Inaugural Address of 2009 was a monumental moment for the country with President Obama, the first non-White President, taking the oath of office. Delivery and the use of pathos standout in President Obama’s speech that offers the opportunity to analyze these aspects that are very important in public speaking. Employing pathos and effective delivery are critical elements in making a message resonate with the audience, observed in the 2009 Inaugural Address.

Works Cited

Clark, Roy Peter. “Why It Worked: A Rhetorical Analysis of Obama’s Speech on Race,” Poynter, October 20, 2017, https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2017/why-it-worked-a-rhetorical-analysis-of-obamas-speech-on-race-2/ .

Cicero. (n.d.). Book 1 . “Cicero’s de Inventione”, Book I, translated by C. D. Yonge, at Peitho’s web. 4 http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~raha/793C_web/deInventione/Bk1.htm .

Jagyasi, Prem. (2018). The Study of Speeches: The Common Factor in the Greatest Speeches of All Times. In Instablogs . Athena Information Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Luft, Oliver. “Barack Obama’s Inauguration Watched by 40m Americans,” The Guardian (Guardian News and Media, January 22, 2009), https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/22/ustelevision-barackobama .

Mshvenieradze, Tamar. “Logos Ethos and Pathos in Political Discourse.” Theory and practice in language studies 3, no. 11 (2013): 1939–.

Obama, Barack Hussein, “President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address,” National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration, January 21, 2009), https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2009/01/21/president-Barack-obamas-inaugural-address .

Feeling Rhetoric Copyright © 2022 by Abraham Miller is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Obama's Inaugural Speech Analyzed

E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post says President Barack Obama's speech marked a break with a lot of thinking since Ronald Reagan became president. David Brooks of The New York Times says Obama's speech represented the renunciation of a whole political era.

Presidential Inauguration Of Barack Obama

Obama trades soaring oratory for tough talk.

Copyright © 2009 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

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Analysis: Obama's speech takes on divisive issues

• Obama drew a line on spending issues
• The president seemed to be braced for fighting partisan wars in Washington
• President hopes to gain support across the country for his agenda

WASHINGTON — Less hope. More opportunity.

Barack Obama's first inaugural address to an unprecedented 1.8 million massed on the National Mall was buoyed by exuberance over the historic moment of swearing in the first African-American president — but it was also defined and limited by the unfolding financial crisis that dominated his first term.

In his second inaugural address Monday, his crowd was less than half the size, the breakthrough that his presidency represents has become more familiar and his own words promising a post-partisan era have been tempered by the confrontations of the past four years.

Even so, the opening for President Obama to shape his own agenda and his ability to push it through a resistant opposition may well have grown.

In his first four years, top White House concerns were determined in large part by the economic crisis and the two wars he inherited. With a recovery now underway and U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan headed home, he is in a better position to set his own priorities — not to mention he may feel liberated by the fact that he won't be running for office again.

In his 18-minute address on a cold day, he embraced more divisive issues and drew sharper lines than in the speech he delivered in 2009.

For the first time in U.S. history, an inaugural address endorsed gay rights and same-sex marriage; Obama said "our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law." He vowed action on climate change (a hot-button phrase he didn't utter in his 2009 address), saying no one "can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms." He alluded to the school shooting rampage in Newtown, Conn., that has prompted him to add gun control to his agenda, saying children there and elsewhere should "know that they are ... safe from harm."

And he drew a bright line on the spending issues that are about to erupt on Capitol Hill as automatic spending cuts and a bill to continue funding of the federal government are debated.

"We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit," Obama said. But "the commitments we make to each other — through Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security — these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great."

The contemptuous reference to "a nation of takers" was a slap at Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who was videotaped during the campaign as dismissing the "47%" who were "dependent upon government," and at his running mate, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who has contrasted the country's "takers versus makers."

As he did four years ago, Obama decried the capital's grinding partisanship. "We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate," he said. At his first inaugural, he said he had come "to proclaim an end" to the "worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics."

This time, however, he didn't argue he would be able to reconcile the warring sides or bring a new kind of politics to Washington. Rather, he seemed to be braced for waging those partisan wars — winning them, he hopes, by marshaling public support across the country.

His words were more unyielding, his manner more confident than four years ago.

"If the first inauguration was the coming-out party for the post-partisan politics that he ran on in 2008, today's inaugural was the announcement of a more fierce realism and recognition of deep, unbridgeable partisan differences," said Lawrence Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota.

Jacobs noted how often the president used the word or cited the idea of coming together in pursuit of American ideals. Obama grounded his arguments on government regulation and spending to the promises of the Declaration of Independence.

"Our journey is not complete," Obama said five times. Five times: "We the people." Seven times: "Together."

Obama's re-election has validated his first victory. A two-term president can't be dismissed as an historic aberration, the way the one-term Jimmy Carter sometimes has been. While second terms are often difficult and scandal-ridden, it has given Obama another chance to pursue issues such as immigration and climate change that were sidelined during his first term.

Republicans have hardly been vanquished. Navigating issues like gun control and energy through the GOP-controlled House of Representatives looms as a huge challenge. Still, an hour before the inauguration began Republican aides said the U.S. House would vote Wednesday to raise the debt ceiling — postponing what could have been an early and bitter standoff over spending.

"This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience," Obama declared. "A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America's possibilities are limitless. ... My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it — so long as we seize it together."

• Corpus ID: 141994274

Rhythm and Rhetoric: A Linguistic Analysis of Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

• Liilia Batluk
• Published 2011
• Linguistics, Political Science

6 Citations

Obama's inaugural addresses from the perspective of corpus linguistics, given and new information in barack obama’s remarks: a syntactic form analysis, a construção de sentido em três discursos políticos: coesão e relações retóricas, moderating opposition and shaping political settlement in the us presidential speech on the military action in syria: a critical discourse analysis.

• Highly Influenced

Gender Differences in the Use of Parts of Speech in Pakistani English Newspaper Columns: A Critical Discourse Analysis

The rhetoric of obama an analysis of rhetoric and genre characteristics of president barack obama's 2013 inaugural address, related papers.

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History Resources

Barack Obama’s First Inaugural Address, 2009

A spotlight on a primary source by barack obama.

Obama delivered his inaugural address on January 20, 2009, to the largest crowd ever assembled for a presidential inauguration. The new president called for an end to the divisive spirit of recent politics: "On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics." Obama called on Americans to unite and look toward their common national heritage as a guide for facing the challenges of the future, declaring, "The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

A full transcript is available.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many—and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

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.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation. But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, January 20, 2009

Questions for Discussion

Read the document introduction, the excerpt, and if available, the text of the speech. Then apply your knowledge of American history in order to answer the questions that follow.

• Why were the issues facing the nation at the time of President Obama’s inauguration considered extraordinary? Use portions of the speech to provide evidence.
• What do you think President Obama meant when he said that “The time has come . . . to choose our better history”?
• In what way did the speech attempt to unite Americans in a common goal?

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’A More Perfect Union’ Barack Obama Rhetorical Analysis

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

“A More Perfect Union” was a speech by then-Senator Barack Obama in 2008. In his most famous speech, Obama elicited debates among many people. It addressed the issue of race in the United States, aiming to rethink divisions within the country. Obama’s speech is criticized for having rhetorical statements and sensitive topics that no one would dare to talk about back then. This essay provides an argumentative rhetorical analysis of Barack Obama’s speech – “A More Perfect Union.”

• The Audience
• Rhetorical Fallacies

Works Cited

Barack obama’s target audience.

In his speech, Obama is very conscious and aware of his audience. His primary target audience is the American population and especially the voters. After addressing the entire American population, he goes further and splits his audience into different groups.

The second group that he addresses is the White Americans. In his speech, he lets them know that there are racial wounds that continued to affect them and many generations. Obama cautiously addresses the challenge of racial discrimination, making sure he does not cause more pain or divide people further through race. However, he does not shy away to put his point across and make his stand known.

Thirdly, Obama addresses the black Americans. As a matter of fact, he is aware that people see him as a black American. Therefore, the people are keen to see how he handles the issue of race.

His message for them does not show any favoritism of race. He notes that, ‘a similar anger exists within the segments of the white community’ (Obama Par. 35). While addressing them, he explains at length that there existed a general feeling among the white when the blacks got better services. The feeling was that of paying for mistakes they did not commit.

Obama shows his wealth of knowledge on the issue that affects people of America. He selects his words carefully while addressing racism that has for many decades affected American people He crafts his speech to be convincing and instead of the issue of race eliciting pain, this time it soothes. The audience is rather calm and does not elicit any aggressive emotions. This is a clear demonstration that he knew his audience well and their needs.

Obama then makes his point clear, aiming to give a solution to the challenges faced by the people of America. He cautions the American people from thinking that forgetting about racism would solved the problem.

The message contained in his speech is that of peace and unity. He wants them to learn to live with one another and appreciate differences in race. Obama ensures that he has addressed the two groups equally so that he unites them together as one people and one audience. He further discusses at length the importance for Americans to speak in one voice and work together in unity.

Rhetorical Fallacies in A More Perfect Union Speech

In his speech, ‘A More perfect Union’ Obama’s opening statements reveals the purpose the speech intended to meet. Obama obtains his first statement from the United States Constitution, ‘We the people, in order to create a perfect union’ (Obama par. 1.). These words reframe and capture the rationale of the Constitution.

Obama employs three rhetoric strategies in his speech. His speech rest upon: emotional, ethical and logical fallacies. He identifies himself with his audience persuasion. The famous quotes he derives from the constitution, makes even those who do not know the constitution, feel the importance of messages communicated (Stoner & Perkins 93).

His audience is aware of racism and Obama speaks of what has generally been unspoken. He achieves his philosophies by speaking facts, about his biological, intellectual and cultural life. The senator speaks about his background and does not deny his race; however, he does not bring it up in the speech (Ifill 54). Burke notes that, Senator Obama accomplishes his speech through, body language, variation of tones and gestures (78).

In his speech, Obama criticizes Americans’ old stain of slavery. He praises the constitution though uncompleted and assures his audience that the solutions to their problems were in the constitution. According to the senator, the constitution has stains due to nation’s original sin of slavery (Obama par.3), ‘…and the underlying roots of inequality and division in America’ (3).

Obama feels that the constitution provided ‘the answer to the slavery question… ‘a Constitution that promised people liberty and justice a lie that he says has been perfected over time’(4). He continues to add that the promises made on the paper were unaccomplished. Towards the end of his speech, Obama tells a story about Ashley. ‘ I am here because of Ashley’ (59). He uses this compelling and appealing approach of a moving and memorable story to seek sympathy from the voters.

Obama also uses repetition as a rhetoric approach to persuade his supporters. In his speech Paragraph 45, he pleads with his audience not to accept to be divided along their areas of weakness. In his entire speech, there is a constant repetition of the word race. In paragraph 26, he identifies race as a problem in the American society.

He says ‘But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now (Obama para. 26). In paragraph 45, he believes that the nation could deal with race by assuring his listeners and saying ‘We can tackle race only as spectacle (45). Other preceding paragraphs also explain the evils caused by racism. This, he uses to express his disapproval of racism in America and encourages people to live and work together to solve challenges created by racism

Obama uses various strategies to connect with the targeted audience. His persuasive appeal proves he is a successful writer and a speaker. His unquestionable ability to move and convince his audience using compelling and sufficient evidence like the constitution, his pastor and his family leaves one fully convinced.

Obama expresses a sense of disappointment over what he calls the ‘unfinished’ document. Actually, he uses a tone of deep disappointments to disapprove slavery (Obama Para. 6.). In fact, an ironical tone is felt when he says slave trade continued for decades and the burden left for to the generation to come. Therefore, his ability to pass his intended information using the application of different stylistic devices is achieved.

Obama changes his tone and uses direct tone. He says..‘I believe deeply we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve the together’ (Obama para. 6.) There is directness in his speech, which continues with to the end, he makes unity a constant remainder in the rest of the speech.

In his speech, Obama sets to give assurance and hope to his supporters. He uses encouraging words like ‘we can do that’ (46), ‘We can tackle race only as spectacle….’ (45) and ‘we can come together and say, “Not this time.”’ (48). By the end of the speech, it is clear where he derives his campaign slogan ‘Yes we can’ and what it meant to all Americans.

This extensive argumentative analysis has revealed that Obama used different rhetorical elements to talk cautiously about a topic on race that many would not dare to discuss. As a matter of fact, Obama’s ability to give a complex and a convincing speech is evident. From the analysis, we can conclude that, Obama is a successful writer and speaker who knew his audience needs. He employed the use of different figures in speech and stylistic devices to pass sound messages to people without any incidents.

Burke, Kenneth. (1966). Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method . Berkeley: University of California Press. Print.

Ifill, Gwen. (2009). The breakthrough: Politics and race in the age of Obama . New York: Doubleday. Print.

Obama, Barack. (2010). Transcript of Obama speech . Web.

Stoner, Mark. & Perkins, Sally. (2005). Making Sense of Messages: A Critical Apprenticeship in Rhetorical Criticism . Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Print.

Further Study: FAQ

📌 what are the rhetorical devices in a more perfect union speech, 📌 why did barack obama’s a more perfect union speech work, 📌 what is barack obama’s speech style, 📌 what is a more perfect union speech summary.

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IvyPanda . (2018) '’A More Perfect Union’ Barack Obama Rhetorical Analysis'. 28 November.

IvyPanda . 2018. "’A More Perfect Union’ Barack Obama Rhetorical Analysis." November 28, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-rhetoric-analysis-of-barack-obamas-speech-the-perfect-union/.

1. IvyPanda . "’A More Perfect Union’ Barack Obama Rhetorical Analysis." November 28, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-rhetoric-analysis-of-barack-obamas-speech-the-perfect-union/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "’A More Perfect Union’ Barack Obama Rhetorical Analysis." November 28, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-rhetoric-analysis-of-barack-obamas-speech-the-perfect-union/.

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‘I Am the Only Person Stupid Enough to Speak After Michelle Obama’

So said former President Barack Obama after his wife electrified the Democratic National Convention. The delegates loved him, but they really loved her.

Former President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Known as one of the most eloquent orators of the modern era, he had never before faced the challenge he confronted Tuesday night. Credit... Kent Nishimura for The New York Times

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By Peter Baker

Reporting from inside the United Center in Chicago

• Aug. 21, 2024

Whoever set the schedule for the second night of the Democratic National Convention certainly did Barack Obama no favors. As the former president admitted when he took the stage on Tuesday night, “I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.”

Not to say that the Democrats gathered in the United Center in Chicago were unappreciative of their onetime favorite son. Mr. Obama delivered the kind of rousing yes-we-can speech that 20 years ago vaulted him from obscurity toward the White House. But following Mrs. Obama? He has demonstrated better judgment.

The his-and-hers marquee convention speeches by the 44th president of the United States and the former first lady fired up the partisan crowd. Speaking back-to-back over the course of an hour, the Obamas reminded Democrats of a past era of hope and change while electrifying a convention after a ceremonial roll call nominated Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota for vice president.

But while the delegates loved Mr. Obama, they really loved Mrs. Obama . From the minute she entered to Stevie Wonder to the end when she introduced her husband, she had the hall wrapped in her hand. No wonder Mr. Obama did not want to go next. No wonder former President Donald J. Trump over the years has repeatedly expressed a feverish worry that the Democrats would turn to Mrs. Obama as their next nominee in some kind of bizarre conspiratorial plot.

From the stage at the United Center on Tuesday, Mrs. Obama eviscerated Mr. Trump as a product of “the affirmative action of generational wealth” who nonetheless enjoyed the “grace of failing forward” while moaning that he was somehow a victim. She described him as a racist and misogynist who exploited fears and lies, a huckster and a hatemonger still playing “the same old con game” on America.

“If we bankrupt a business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third or fourth chance,” she said. “If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. No. We don’t get to change the rules so we always win. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top.”

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• 2024 Elections
• ‘Yes, <i>She</i> Can’: A Breakdown of Barack Obama’s 2024 DNC Speech in Support of Kamala Harris

‘Yes, She Can’: A Breakdown of Barack Obama’s 2024 DNC Speech in Support of Kamala Harris

B arack Obama has often described the presidency as a relay race: “You take the baton from someone, you run your leg as hard and as well as you can, and then you hand it off to someone else.” On Tuesday night, Obama stepped on stage in front of thousands of delegates at the 2024 Democratic National Convention to anoint a party leader he hopes will carry that baton next: Kamala Harris .

Returning to the city where he made his startling political ascent, Obama roused the Chicago crowd with the soaring rhetoric that catapulted him on the national stage 20 years ago. In a nearly 40-minute speech, Obama honored President Joe Biden; championed Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz; warned of the perils of a second Donald Trump presidency; and encouraged Democrats to prepare for an arduous path to maintaining the White House.

For Obama, it was a moment that brought him full circle. He burst onto the scene as a political phenomenon when he delivered an electrifying keynote address at the 2004 convention. Now, at 63, Obama is the elder statesman hoping to galvanize the nation once again—encouraging voters to reject the man who has sought to destroy his political legacy and elevate a fresh Democratic heir: “This convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible.”

Below is a breakdown of Obama’s 2024 DNC speech.

Honoring Joe Biden

At the outset of his remarks, Obama paid tribute to his second in command for eight years. “History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding President who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” said Obama, who was reportedly among those who urged Biden to end his campaign following his disastrous June debate performance . (The President has reportedly begrudged Obama and other Democratic leaders for pushing him out of the race, though he denied it in his DNC speech Monday night.)

Obama, for his part, extolled Biden for making the decision that he estimates gives Democrats the best chance to defeat Donald Trump: “At a time when the other party had turned into a cult of personality, we needed a leader who was steady, and brought people together, and was selfless enough to do the rarest thing there is in politics: putting his own ambition aside for the sake of the country.”

The 2024 Democratic National Convention

• Your Questions About the DNC, Answered
• The Biggest Moments From Joe Biden’s Speech
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• A Breakdown of Barack Obama’s Speech
• Key Moments From Tim Walz’s Speech

Warning against Trump

Throughout his speech, Obama issued stark warnings that a second Trump term would pose existential risks for sustenance of American democracy and society. “Donald Trump sees power as nothing more than a means to his ends,” he said, implying that his successor would embark on a radical, autocratic agenda. To that end, he warned that Trump deliberately wants to keep the U.S. polarized for his own political benefit. “Donald Trump wants us to think that this country is hopelessly divided: between us and them, between the real Americans who—of course—support him and the outsiders who don’t,” Obama said.

Without ticking off the specifics of Trump’s plans, Obama suggested they would trigger a national crisis. “It is one of the oldest tricks in politics, from a guy whose act has—let’s face it—gotten pretty stale,” Obama said. “We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We’ve seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse.”

Campaigning for Kamala

The heart of Obama’s address was pitch for the Democratic presidential nominee. He extolled Harris’ record as a prosecutor and politician—serving as San Francisco district attorney, California’s attorney general, a U.S. senator, and Vice President—seeking to contrast her career in public service with Trump’s background as a real estate magnate, media personality, and political provocateur. “Kamala Harris won’t be focused on her problems,” Obama said. “She’ll be focused on yours.” 

At one point, he repurposed his signature campaign line for Harris, telling delegates: “Yes, she can.”

Tim Walz, too

Obama also praised Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “I love this guy,” he said, depicting Walz as a populist who connects to average Americans. “Tim is the kind of person who should be in politics: born in a small town, served his country, taught kids, coached football, took care of his neighbors. He knows who he is, and he knows what’s important. You can tell those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from some political consultant; they come from his closet.”

The party’s ticket, Obama suggested, represented the diversity of the Democratic coalition that swept him into high office twice. Together, he added, the two candidates can appeal to moderate Americans who yearn for a less divisive politics. “Kamala and Tim have kept faith with America’s central story,” he said, “a story that says, ‘We are all created equal’ … That everyone deserves a chance. That even when we don’t agree with each other, we can find a way to live with each other.”

The road ahead

While the convention hall was filled with the “hope-and-change” optimism that animated Obama’s political rise, he counseled Democrats to prepare for an ugly road ahead. “It won’t be easy,” he said. “The other side knows it’s easier to play on people’s fears and cynicism.”

Yet he asked his party faithful to be patient with Americans who aren’t aligned with the Democratic agenda and who resist societal changes. “If a parent or grandparent occasionally says something that makes us cringe, we don’t automatically assume they’re bad people,” he said. “We recognize the world is moving fast, that they need time and maybe a little encouragement to catch up.”

That’s an approach, Obama said, that could build a “true Democratic majority.” But more than seeking electoral gain, Obama emphasized that the stakes of the election—of whether America stops Trump from reclaiming the White House—would have reverberations across the globe. “The rest of the world is watching,” he said, “to see if we can actually pull this off.”

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