Barack Obama: Words Matter

Kuntuzos, Kari
Prof. De France
LBCC Eng. 3 MW
9 October 2012
Barack Obama: Words Matter
Speech writer, John Favreau (born June 2, 1981), is Director of Speechwriting for President Barack Obama’s team. In 2005, Robert Gibbs, recommended Favreau to Obama, as an excellent speechwriter for the campaign. Favreau was hired as Obama's speechwriter shortly after Obama's election, to the United States Senate. Obama, and Favreau grew close, and Obama has referred to him as his "mind reader." He went on the campaign trail with Obama during his successful Presidential election campaign. During that time, Sen. Barack Obama gave one of his best speeches ever at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Founders Day Gala on Feb. 16th, 2008. THEN: Candidate Obama: “Don’t Tell Me Words Don’t Matter.” Don’t tell me words don’t matter! I have a dream… just words. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal… just words. We have nothing to fear but fear itself… Just words, just speeches” (Senator Barack Obama). Obama’s message theme, to the Democrats, and American people is freedom. Nevertheless, Obama is telling the nation, if you stand behind me, and believe in me, we can change this country around like we have in the past, and transform (re-shape, and bring) the world to believe in hope again. In fact, Americans had come to understand, its own failings as the failures, of one single individual (George Bush): now, it began to see its salvation through the elevated, and exaggerated virtues, of another who had offered little, but his own words as proof of his intentions, and abilities. Therefore, Obama relies on ancient Greek philosopher “The Rhetoric” on repetition (words), historical speeches (from ex-Presidents, and famous speakers), and cultural-societal (race, religion) facts, to get his message across, to his supporters (Democrats), and most importantly to American’s (the voters.)
Obama’s use, of repetition can be seen throughout his speech, as he...