Barack Obama: Speech Analysis
...ish to pursue the American dream. He makes reference to the American dream by telling listeners how other nations view America as a beacon of freedom and opportunity. His anecdote about his father’s immigration to America through a scholarship he was awarded. He continues with the success of his wife’s family during WWII, and completing the American dream when her father returned from the war. Obama intended to move the voters who are still undecided, by including things that appeal to both sides of the issue. The things included in this speech like improving the inner cities, and housing for the homeless appeal to the basic human needs and emotions, which targets people from both sides and in the middle. This is why this speech targets its audience very successfully. The exigence of his speech is basic; it is that Obama and his democratic followers believe that the present administration is not working and that John Kerry is the answer. Obama’s states that john Kerry “embodies the best this country has to offer”(2) and “understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice”(2). He continues to list the beliefs held by Kerry that qualify him to lead the nation. These include Kerry’s ideas on health care, his principle of keeping domestic jobs domestic, and his faith in energy independence. Besides his political platform, during his speeches Kerry always mentions his service in the Vietnam war, this is repeated by Barack, during his speech, which pays respect to Kerry's sacrifice and supports his cause. He finishes the pitch with a righteous quote about Kerry upholding the constitution: “John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us”(3). Barack’s intended effect was to appeal to the undecided voters of America, while moving people with his anecdotes about his family and other families who he has met. His anecdote about the American dream includes his family origins, the stereotypical American success story of his wife's family, and his hardships as a lonely student in America. He continues to state that he is “grateful for the...