UI320-01 Presidential Videos -
UI320 - 01 The Modern Presidency
Collected below are video compilations originally created by Professor Thomas Harte with assistance from Marcio Viera of the Center for Study of Teaching and Learning, in the Fall 1999 semester for UI320-74 (on line). Accompanying each is a description of the video content by Professor Harte. You may also obtain text coverage of these speeches by referral to the Presidency Links (shown above) for each president, under the "Major Speeches" heading.
Russell D. Renka
Direct Video Links:
°Truman Video File
°Eisenhower Video File
°Kennedy Video File
°Johnson Video File
°Nixon Video File
°Ford Video File
°Carter Video File
°Reagan Video File
°Bush Video File
°Clinton Video File
Description of Contents:
°Truman - 4/12/45-1/20/53
°Eisenhower - 1/20/53-1/20/61
°Kennedy - 1/20/61-11/22/63
°Johnson - 11/22/63-1/20/69
°Nixon - 1/20/69-8/9/74
°Ford - 8/9/74-1/20/77
°Carter - 1/20/77-1/20/81
°Reagan - 1/20/81-1/20/89
°G.H.W. Bush - 1/20/89-1/20/93
°Clinton - 1/20/93-1999
You might find a brief review of the segments of the video helpful. It begins with Truman accepting the VP nomination and then moves to clips of him following FDR's death. You'll also see him speaking to Congress on the rail strike just as he is interrupted with news of a settlement. There is some footage of the Truman Doctrine speech paired with some pictures of fighting at the Parthenon and some excerpts from Truman's 1948 acceptance speech. Dapper as always (he was a former haberdasher after all) in a white suit, Truman calls the Congress back into special session. Alas, the video chops up the speech and some segments are out of order, but you get the idea. Following the acceptance speech are clips from the whistle stop campaign which show Truman's not very subtle appeal. You'll also see the moment when the "Give 'em hell, Harry" moniker was born. Then there's a delightful speech in which Truman has fun with the fact that he won in 1948 despite everyone's prediction otherwise. (I doubt even Bess expected him to be re-elected!) Following this are some excerpts regarding Korea, a clip which reveals Truman's interest in history if not his sophisticated understanding of it, and his speech announcing the firing of MacArthur. (As Halford Ross Ryan observes, Truman tried in this speech to defend his Korean policy rather than his decision to relieve the general of his command.) Finally you'll see Truman announce that he would not run again (he could have since the 22nd amendment did not apply to him) and clips from his farewell address, a speech which has been called a masterpiece. (See Campbell and Jamieson's "Deeds Done in Words" for an analysis.)
Viewing all of this, what's your impression of Truman as a speaker?
[This message has been edited by THarte (edited 09-27-1999).]Eisenhower: Eisenhower Video File Top
The video begins with a clip of Eisenhower declaring he has no interest in running for political office. Since he is in uniform, I would guess that this interview took place in pre-1947. The next clip shows a portion of Eisenhower's announcement speech, a near disaster given in a driving rain in his boyhood home in Kansas. Then you'll see clips from his acceptance speech at the 1952 convention followed by some comments apparently made to be filmed and his remarks on election night following his victory. Next is a clip from his first inaugural, then a portion of the Atoms for Peace speech at the UN, and a typical press conference response which shows Ike's propensity to sometimes obfuscate, some said on purpose. The final speech is a segment from the Farewell Address, Eisenhower's most famous speech. The video also shows three Eisenhower tv commercials. There are many others to view on the internet. Eisenhower was the first to use political commercials. The spot with the dog is a classic.
posted 09-30-1999 04:58 PM by Thomas Harte
Kennedy: Kennedy Video File Return to Top
The video begins with some excerpts from JFK's acceptance speech (where he coined the New Frontier slogan), given outdoors at the LA Coliseum to accommodate extra people. Already you'll hear Kennedy's penchant for the figure of speech we call antithesis. Then you'll see a clip from the first tv debate. (By the way, did you catch the rhetorical and historical error JFK made in referring to FDR?) Then there is a clip from a typical stump speech in which Kennedy denounces the opposition. Next is the most important speech Kennedy ever gave, at least in the judgment of his brother and campaign manager, Robert: the Houston Ministers Speech which dealt with the religious issue. Following that you'll see a clip from JFK's commencement speech at Rice University committing us to a space race. (Kennedy liked to speak at commencements and use such speeches to announce policy.) Then you'll see the TV address on Civil Rights following riots in Alabama, a clip from the Berlin speech (technically speaking he is actually saying "I am a jelly doughnut"!), an address on the Cuban missile crisis, and a State of the Union message. We encourage you to take a look at any or all of the speeches in their entirety. Check the links for text sources and audio/video clips.
posted 10-07-1999 09:56 PM by Thomas Harte
Johnson: Johnson Video File Top
The video shows excerpts from two of LBJ's speeches. The first was his message to Congress following the JFK assassination and the second his Voting Rights Act Speech. Sorenson worked on the first one; Richard Goodwin was chiefly responsible for the second one. The Voting Rights Act speech is often cited as Johnson's best speech. As has been noted, LBJ was adept at one-to-one persuasion, but not a particularly good public speaker. (This is ironic considering he was one of only two former speech teachers to serve as president. Anyone know the other one?) Nonetheless, these two speeches are highly effective.
Other important speeches of LBJ would include his "War on Poverty" State of the Union Address on Jan. 8, 1964; the "Great Society" speech given at the University of Michigan commencement on May 22, 1964; and his pronouncements on Vietnam, such as a TV address on the Gulf of Tonkin in August of 1964, his speech at Johns Hopkins University in April of 1965, and his "Nervous Nellies" speech at a Democratic Party dinner in Chicago in May of 1966.
posted 10-18-1999 11:43 p.m. by Thomas Harte
The video begins with a fairly long excerpt from Nixon's famous Checkers Speech. You'll see why it's called that at the end. This may be one of but a handful of speeches in history that produced nearly immediate and clear results. Truth is, most speeches don't. It was also a pioneering effort in the use of the new medium of television. Though this speech was given, of course, before Nixon became president, it is illustrative of his style. The entire Checkers episode is well worth researching. Though when the speech was over Nixon thought he had failed, he had actually trumped Ike.
Next you'll see a portion of a Nixon speech to the Russian people, delivered in the USSR. Then there's a clip from the first JFK-Nixon tv debate. Now you can contrast Nixon's performance with JFK's. Notice how in his grey suit he almost blends into the background?
Then there's a clip of Nixon conceding defeat in 1960. Tom Wicker maintains in his interesting and surprisingly positive book on Nixon that Nixon's refusal to push for a recount in 1960 was noble.
Then you'll see Nixon declare his 1962 candidacy for governor of California, a bit of a California stump speech, and the famous "last" press conference. (The reference to canceling newspaper subscriptions, by the way, is to Kennedy.)
Then we're into the color TV age with Nixon's 1968 acceptance speech. Note the references to the turmoil and riots of the 60's and the failures of the Great Society. Following is the first inaugural, one that many claim Nixon consciously modeled after Kennedy's. Note the use of Kennedyesque antithesis. By the way, that's Spiro Agnew on the right of your screen.
Next is one of Nixon's most successful speeches, the November 1969 Silent Majority speech. (There's a glitch in my editing job on this one--it's not your computer.) Some claim that Nixon's success in the Checkers Speech, the Silent Majority Speech, and even the Acceptance Speech made him believe he could always turn things around with a well done speech. With Watergate that turned out not to be true.
Following is the disastrous Cambodian Invasion speech. I put this together from two videos of the speech, so even though they may look different, they're the same speech. Note how Nixon attacks his attackers. Note too how he lost his place and recovered.
Then there's the famous "I am not a crook" press conference, followed by the tv resignation speech and the revealing final speech to the White House staff before he boarded the helicopter and left the White House.
We look forward to your reactions to Richard Nixon's rhetoric.Gerald Ford was not noted for his public speaking. Consequently, there are only three excerpts on the video. The first is his "inaugural" address, which may have been his best speech. (The video is a little shaky on this one, so bear with us.) Second is his acceptance speech in 1976. This too is probably Ford at his best. He was behind in the polls and knew he had to give the speech of his life. The third excerpt is from the 1976 debates. It's Ford's famous Poland gaffe.
Please post your comments and reactions to the video on this thread.
[This message has been edited by THarte (edited 11-03-1999).]
Jimmy Carter was not one of the better speakers to occupy the office
of president. As Underhill says, the South has produced many great orators. Jimmy Carter was not one
of them.
There are only two speeches on the video. First an excerpt from what may have been
Carter's most famous speech, the Malaise Speech. Though the speech did not go over
well, in terms of delivery this may be Carter at his best.
The excerpt is from the speech to Congress regarding the Camp David Accords. Though
the situation is triumphant, here you'll see more typical Carter delivery.
Please post your comments and reactions to the Carter video on this thread.
posted 11-03-1999 10:35 PM T. Harte
On the Reagan video you'll see the following: first an excerpt from
"The Speech," the 1964 televised campaign speech for Goldwater. Reagan gave this speech many times
over the years on the mashed potato circuit before this televised presentation literally
launched his political career.
Next is an excerpt of Reagan's remarks at the 1976 Republican Convention following his
unsuccessful challenge of Ford for the nomination. I suspect that after he spoke, at
Ford's invitation, the convention was wondering whether it had nominated the wrong
man! What a contrast to Ford. (Similarly, delegates at the 1980 Democratic convention
were captivated by Edward Kennedy's speech--one of his best--but went on to renominate Carter.)
It's interesting, though perhaps pointless, to speculate on what
might have happened had Reagan won the nomination in 1976. He might very well have
been defeated by Carter and, perhaps, gone down to oblivion. In any case, he clearly
upstaged Ford on this occasion. That time capsule story would be used again by
Reagan in a televised debate.
Next is an excerpt from Reagan's 1980 acceptance speech. (Watch closely or you'll
miss the cut and think it's still the same speech--but this time Ford is in the gallery.)
You'll note the reference to the Iran hostage crisis.
Next is an excerpt from the first inaugural, the one that Jamieson refers to in the
reading. The Treptow story at the end is typical of Reagan stories that might not be
technically accurate (Treptow, it was discovered, was not buried in Arlington as
Reagan seemed to suggest), but were nonetheless powerful narratives. Reagan's
optimism about Americans is typical--a different message, surely, than Carter's.
Then there's the section from the 1984 debate regarding the age question. After
Reagan made this quip, the election was over!
Next is a segment from one of the speeches at Normandy. This sort of ceremonial
rhetoric is one of the things Reagan did best, as demonstrated in the following clip from
the Challenger speech.
Then there's an excerpt from a typical State of the Union Address in which Reagan
employed the hero in the gallery technique referred to by Jamieson.
Next is Reagan's last speech to a Republican Convention, in 1988, followed by his last
public speech on his 83rd birthday. You'll note in the last speech he is showing his age,
but though he falters at the start, he picks up steam and shortly has the crowd in the
palm of his hand.
posted 11-16-1999 05:25 AM by Thomas Harte
G.H.W. Bush: George H.W. Bush Video File Top
As these videos may demonstrate, George Bush is an interesting case
when it comes to the rhetorical presidency. Though he could give a pretty good speech when he had to,
he did not place much stock in the rhetorical dimensions of the office, unlike, say,
Gerald Ford who was never a highly effective speaker but who accepted the notion
that the chief executive has a rhetorical function. Though giving a farewell address
seems, perhaps, more appropriate when you've served two terms (Reagan gave one
and I suspect Bill Clinton will too), I think it nonetheless significant that Bush
declined to give one. Even Jimmy Carter took advantage of the opportunity.
The clips begin with Bush's 1988 acceptance speech, the one in which he made his
famous "Read my lips, no new taxes" pledge. Bush needed to give a good speech
here and, with the help of speechwriter Peggy Noonan, he did. Uncomfortable calling
attention to himself, you'll note how nonetheless he manages to identify significant
aspects of his biography without appearing to brag.
Next is a clip from one of the 1988 debates in which, you'll see, Bush more than holds
his own. Even here, however, he seems a bit uncomfortable with the zinger, finding it
necessary to underscore that it was a one liner he had brought with him.
Next is the Noonan authored inaugural address. (That does look like the Beaver in the
background, doesn't it?) Following that is a clip from the televised address in defense
of Saudi Arabia.
The next clip is the famous "wrist watch gazing" episode in the 1992 debates.
You'll note how disinterested in the affair Bush appears to be, especially in contrast to
Clinton. Rightly or wrongly, this little nonverbal gesture spoke volumes to voters.
(Sorry for tiny video glitch in this portion.)
Finally there is an excerpt from Bush's 1992 address to the Economic Club of Detroit, a
thoughtful speech which allowed voters to get a glimpse of Bush's "vision." His
supporters wish he had given more speeches like this and that they had received more
attention.
posted 11-29-1999 09:57 AM by Thomas Harte
Clinton: Clinton Video File Top
Here is a summary of the items you'll see on the Clinton video (which by popular
request is longer than the last video!). We start with a clip from Clinton's acceptance speech at the 1992 Convention. You'll
hear him talk about the New Democrats.
Then you'll see an excerpt from the Labor Day campaign kick-off speech given in Harry
Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri.
Following that is a section from the first 1992 debate. Note how Clinton directly
addresses his opponent (Mr. Bush, not President Bush), a classic strategy. (If you're
interested in television debate tactics, I recommend Myles Martel's book on the
subject. He was Reagan's debate coach in 1980.)
Next is a clip from Clinton's address to Congress regarding health care, followed by a
segment from a ceremonial address in observance of D-Day.
Then comes a clip from the 1995 State of Union Address following the loss of Congress
to the Republicans. Do you think Clinton makes the best out of a bad situation? This
section might, by the way, constitute a brief summary of our course!
Then there is a clip from the first inaugural (sorry, it's out of chronological order, but
we almost lost the tape). Next is a clip from Clinton's speech to the Radio-Television
correspondents which shows he is also adept at after-dinner speaking.
We conclude with what, alas, may be among the more memorable of Clinton's
speeches: those dealing with Monica Lewinsky. The first is his TV address following
grand jury testimony and the second is his speech at the annual White House prayer
breakfast.
Even knowing what you now know about Bill Clinton, I think it is still clear that he can
be a rather formidable speaker. Do you agree?
posted 12-01-1999 03:18 PM by Thomas Harte