Wildavsky Theory of the Two Presidencies - Essay Example

However, in their domestic and foreign policies, they differed tremendously in goals, strategies, and focuses. Each president faced a different world: President Kennedy encountered a nation in the 1960s in which the United States had to defend itself against the threat of nuclear annihilation and the plague of Communism whereas President Obama faced a society in 2009 ravaged with its worst economic crisis and financial uncertainty in its history. In selecting the inaugural speeches of these two prominent presidents, this paper will analyze Wildavsky’s dual presidency theory, looking both at their domestic and foreign policies.

Analysis of the Presidency of John F. Kennedy (1961) The 1960s ushered in an era in American history that would greatly challenge its citizens, who would question on every level the very foundations of the United States. It was a nation that had safeguarded its preeminent position since World War II as the greatest country in the world, which rivaled in power and influence the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R). The nation gladly embraced, with open arms and excited anticipation, the election of the energetic and charismatic Catholic senator as their new president, who made them feel young and vibrant and embodied the best hopes of Americans to maintain their national and international preeminence.

President Kennedy sought for the United States to assume its global mission of being the leader of the free world and human rights (Whitehouse 2011). In his inaugural speech (See Appendix I) of 1961, President John F. Kennedy, who became the thirty-fifth president of the United States, articulated the fundamental issues and policies that his administration would address during his presidency. His speech embodied three major themes: 1). conciliatory tone, 2). emphasis on foreign issues/policies, 3).

patriotic/nationalistic ideals. Analysis of the Inaugural Speech of President John F. Kennedy (1961) The first chief theme of the speech of President Kennedy reflected his conciliatory tone. Employing very effective rhetorical language, he uses conciliatory verbs, such as “pledge” (which he used over and over again) in his masterpiece. He cites the verb “pledge” eight times throughout his speech. What message is he trying to convey to his audience by constantly using the verb “pledge”?

“Pledge” meant to commit strongly to a cause, place, ideal, nation, person, organization, etc. As a promise, vow, or oath, the verb, “pledge,” represented a word loaded with connotative and denotative meanings. Even the American anthem used the word “pledge” in its opening sentence, i.e. “we pledge allegiance to …” President Kennedy employs this rhetorical device to evoke- among his fellow Americans- the sentiments of nationalism and patriotism to the nation. Moreover, by expressing himself with the word “pledge,” he also shows his conciliatory tone in his speech.

What is the pledging to his people? He pledges to maintain a free nation and world. He also employs other mild and conciliatory verbs throughout his speech, for instance, “ask,” “explore,” “begin,” “offer,” “formulate,” “seek,” “unite,” “join,” etc. (Kennedy, 1961, pp. 1-3).