Details

Subject(s)

• Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous) 1913-1994—Oratory [Browse]
• Political oratory—Political aspects—United States—History—20th century [Browse]
• United States—Politics and government—1945-1989 [Browse]

Writer of foreword

• Ryan, Halford Ross [Browse]

Series

• Great American orators no. 6. [More in this series]
• Great American orators, 0898-8277 ; no. 6 [More in this series]

Summary note

Although much has been written about Richard Nixon the man and the politician, comparatively little attention has been paid to Nixon the public speaker. This is unfortunate because it was through public speaking that Nixon, an introverted, private man, first captured public attention, won a seat in the House of Representatives, advanced to the Senate, held on to his vice presidential nomination, lost and won the presidency, and eventually molded a constituency that carried him to one of the most overwhelming presidential election victories in American history. It was also through public speaking that President Nixon attempted to defend himself against charges related to the Watergate incident and sought to save himself from impeachment. When his rhetorical efforts failed to rouse popular support, he had no choice but to resign. This volume examines the combination of personal characteristics and artistic choices that made Richard M. Nixon a successful, albeit extremely controversial, public speaker from 1946 to the present. Based on Nixon's own writings, primary materials found in special collections, a number of rhetorical studies by communication scholars, and historical case studies, the most complete picture yet of Nixon as a rhetorical strategist emerges. The study of Nixon's rhetoric is the study of many important issues, from the alleged threat of subversive communism to Vietnam to Watergate, confronting America from 1946 to 1974. It is also the study of the man himself because Nixon took an active role in the composition of all his important addresses. That both the highs and lows of Richard Nixon's career were marked by public address makes the rhetoric of Richard Nixon a worthy subject for anyone interested in political science, history, or communication and persuasion.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references (p. [197]-219) and index.

Action note

Committed to retain in perpetuity — ReCAP Shared Collection (HUL)

Contents

• Pt. 1: Critical analysis: The Nixon-Voorhis debates: learning how to win
• The Douglas campaign: using the communist menace
• The fund speech: the best defense is a good offense
• The Kennedy-Nixon debates: important but not decisive
• The Vietnam speeches: successful but divisive
• The Watergate and resignation
• Pt. 2: Collected speeches: "My side of the story": September 23, 1952
• "Address to the nation on the war in Vietnam": November 3, 1969
• "Address to the nation on the situation in southeast Asia": April 30, 1970
• "First address to the nation about the Watergate investigations": April 30, 1973
• "Second address to the nation about the Watergate investigations": August 15, 1973
• "Address to the nation announcing answer to the house judiciary committee subpoena for additional presidential tape recordings": April 29, 1974
• "Address to the nation announcing decision to resign the office of the President of the United States": August 8, 1974
• "Remarks on the departure from the White House": August 9, 1974.

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ISBN

0313261083 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper)

LCCN

^^^89017193^

OCLC

20220128

RCP

H - S

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