The checkers speech or fund speech was an address made on september 23, 1952 by california senator richard nixon, the republican candidate for vice president of the united states. Foss explains that we use rhetorical criticism as a way of systematically investigating and explaining symbolic acts and artifacts for the purpose of. Days later, however, he was accused of accepting funds from campaign donors to use for personal expenses. Coupled with his frankness and perceived honesty as a result of the checkers speech, during which nixon disclosed the rather humble assets of his family, nixon seemed to be a naturalborn politician. A vocabulary list featuring richard nixon s checkers speech 1952.
Nixon provides a detailed account of his and his familys finances to remove any suspicion. The usual political thing to do when charges are made against you is to either ignore them or to deny them without giving details. Strawman fallacy, checkers speech, richard nixon vivi. For most of the speech nixon is focused on the allegations. Not only did nixon stay on the ticket, but he and eisenhower swept the election that november. The checkers speech or fund speech was an address made on september 23, 1952, by california senator richard nixon, the republican candidate for vice.
After practicing law and serving in the navy during world war ii, nixons political star rose quickly. The checkers speech foreshadowed the emergence of a new. Roosevelts use of his own dog in a 1944 national address angered republicans for years, because it helped turn a close race between roosevelt and. In his defense, he denies personal use of any funds, with one exception. In senator richard nixon s checkers speech the straw man fallacy was committed. Rhetorical analysis of richard nixon s checkers speech. Televisions political power proved itself in other ways in 1952.
Students will silently read along as they listen to the kennedy and nixons first live television. Television speech given by richard nixon on september 23, 1952, when he was the republican candidate for the vice presidency. President richard nixon checkers speech analysis and writing activity, digital. The speech nixon gave on 23 september 1952 has come to be known as the checkers speech, for a. Who was also in the room with nixon during the checkers speech. The title of the speech refers to the nixon s family dog, checkers, who was a gift but one which nixon. Checkers, the dog who helped save richard nixons career. I come before you tonight as a candidate for the vice presidency and as a. Richard milhous nixon january 9, 19 april 22, 1994 was the 37th president of the united states, serving from 1969 to 1974. Only nixons highly strategic checkers speech saved his job. I come before you tonight as a candidate for the vice presidency and as a man whose honesty and integrity have been questioned. On september 23, 1952, as a candidate for vice president, richard m.
Julie and tricia nixon, nixon s two children c pat nixon, richard nixon s wife d. Conclusion 59 works cited 63 appendix of speeches the wellesley college address 68 the checkers speech 71 the right to vote speech 79 ii. The checkers speech in the checkers speech, nixon begins by addressing the scandal that surrounded the fund. Consequently, when nixon use the statement, it is an audit made by price waterhouse and co. Learn the important quotes in checkers speech and the chapters theyre from, including why theyre important and what they mean in the context of the book. The checkers speech, as it came to be known, much to nixons chagrin, was the first time a politician used tv to appeal to the voters though the speech recalled franklin d. Rather than the fiery nixon one might expect, however, his attacks continued in the same selfrighteous and selfpitying tone that had positively dripped. Pete wilson has dedicated more than 30 years to serving the citizens of california, including as governor of california for two terms 1991 to 1999, eight years as a u. Applying communication method introduction the 1952 richard m. Senator nixons checkers speech sep 23, 1952 nixon was one of the first politicians to use the medium of television to defend himself against accusations of wrongdoing. In senator richard nixons checkers speech the straw man fallacy was committed. After he concluded his remarks on his financial history, he turned to attack his opponents. The election of 1960 lesson and materials teaching american. Nixon persuaded eisenhower to let him appear on tv, which in 1952 was fairly new, to explain his financial dealings over his lifetime and in the process exonerate himself.
Checkers speech richard m nixon this background information will give you the necessary context for reading nixons speech at the 1952 republican national convention, a young senator from california, richard m. Richard nixons checkers speech on september 23, 1952 richard nixon, a candidate for vice president, gave his famous checkers speech to persuade the american people and potential voters that he was an innocent family man who would never take bribes. Richard nixons checkers speech, a response to charges brought against the nixon fund, was primarily. Nixon had been accused of improprieties relating to a fund established by his backers to reimburse him for his political expenses. Nixon plays with ethos by suggesting he is a great character by talking about this and pathos by manipulating peoples feelings toward him by saying that he is an honest person. The checkers speech, delivered on television on september 23 around a week after katchers article was published, was nixon s attempt to mitigate public outrage and explain the fund ahead of the november election. The peripeteia, an analysis of reversal speeches by. He said and, you know, the kids, like all kids, loved the dog.
Richard nixon went on tv to give whats known as the checkers speech. The title of the speech refers to the nixon s family dog, checkers, who was a gift but one which nixon declines to return. Nixon spent an enormous amount of time on this speech addressing you. Nixon s checkers speech nixon, senator from california, ballot with dwight eisenhower 1952 republican leader fund set up to pay for political expenses, money went to his own pocket public knew, wanted nixon off ballot checkers speech sep.
He was speaking directly to the american public as individuals, and he did it in a tone that was strikingly informal for what was certain dire circumstances. Richard nixon counters accusations of misconduct in his checkers speech. Viewed through the prism of nixons rollercoaster career, the speech resonates. What was the checkers speech and why is it so important. His resignation came in the face of imminent impeachment related to the watergate scandal. Nixon, kissinger and vietnam, 19691973 the limits of american power. Fallacies in senator richard nixons speech case study. Richard nixons checkers speech by richard nixon on prezi. Nixons checkers speech marked the beginning of the television age in american politics and had a lasting political impact. The document is followed by 3 factbased and critical thinking questions perfect for class discussion.
Nixons checkers speech had a considerable impact on the american society. This speech came during the 1952 presidential election campaign. Richard nixons checkers speech 1952 vocabulary list. In september, 1952, richard nixon, a young senator from california, was nominated to run for vice president. Nixon is neither despite his exercises in managerial tyranny. The best known of them was pugachevs rebellion 17731775 pdf, which was. Nixons checkers speech american experience official. Studentshare our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a.
It marked the beginning of the television age in american politics. Why does a speech named after a dog live on in our cultural subconscious. Silent majority richard nixon the following is a primary source document from president richard nixon where he asks for the support of the silent majority of americans. Speech analisis richard nixonchekers ricardos reading. This speech derives its name, checkers, from the statement nixon made that, even if he had to return all the campaign donation gifts he had received, he would keep the black and white dog, checkers, because his family had become attached to it. It is our conclusion that senator nixon did not obtain any financial gain from the collection and disbursement of the fund by dana smith.
Roosevelt gave his famous fala speech eight years to the day nixon gave his speech. There was no relationship between what he was justifying and the reality. Excerpt taken from great speeches volume 2 from educational video group, inc. The senator has interrupted his nationwide campaign tour to be with you tonight for this important message. Buy free custom fallacies in senator richard nixons speech. In the speech the senator tried to sneak in an argument to justify a point.
After vice presidential candidate richard nixon was accused of having a secret trust fund for his campaign, his presence on the republican ticket became a serious threat to eisenhowers chances of victory. Richard nixons checkers speech by haylee morgan on prezi. Nixon, was chosen to be the running mate of presidential candidate dwight d. Years later, nixon acknowledged that he added checkers almost as an inside joke, since president franklin d. The checkers speech wins this high rank for one standout reason. I come before you tonight as a candidate for the vice presidency and as a man. Checkers, on the other hand, was brought up by nixon exclusively for the emotional appeal. You are about to hear a report from senator richard nixon, nominee for the office of vice president of the united states. These speeches were not only exercises in political survival but. A television broadcast of a speech made by richard nixon.
831 1468 375 268 1454 348 312 709 1401 588 1336 1520 797 1558 327 865 1144 436 879 465 1315 473 635 902 1517 174 1502 99 891 851 1147 912 305 345 549 1270 705 856 540