Campaign Speech analysis - Essay Example

Campaign Speech Analysis CAMPAIGN SPEECH ANALYSIS Mitt Romney, the GOP candi in this year’s election gave his acceptance speech on 30th August 2012, during the final day of the GOP national Convention in Tampa. Featured speeches included speeches from movie alumni Clint Eastwood, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and the former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Senator Marco Rubio introduced mitt Romney. Mitt Romney gave his speech at 10:33 P.M, as the last installment of the speeches. This paper seeks to present an analysis of the speech given by Mitt Romney during his nomination acceptance speech at Tampa.

Mitt Romney’s speech seemed more attacking than it was acclaiming or defensive, with indirect barbs thrown at incumbent president Barrack Obama (Julian et al, 2012). This was especially notable when he claimed, “America’s problems can only be solved by an American” (Romney, 2012), re-igniting the “birther issue”. He also feigned support for Obama, claiming that he wishes “Obama had succeeded” with his mission and plan of making America a better place, but that he had failed. The speech, in general, relied more on opinion than the fact, as is common with acceptance speeches, which in normal circumstances are sparse on detail.

Mitt Romney also took an aggressive stance toward the incumbent via depicting him as a president who made, “big promises that failed to deliver on what the American people needed the most” (Romney, 2012). Romney was referring to job creation and political healing. He also compared Obama to President Carter to complete his caricature of President Obama as, “Someone who refuses to make tough decisions and lacks any viable plan to strengthen the country. Mitt Romney set out to accomplish three main goals in his speech: introduce the real Romney to the nation; explain why he is better suited to leading than president Obama.

In addition, outline his vision for the next four years as president (Julian et al, 2012). He made some progress on all fronts via a solid but unexceptional speech. He opened up about his religious life, as well as his family life, attempting to throw more light on himself as much more than a heartless capitalist, offering himself as a problem solver. All the hype before his speech had been about the need for a president who would take hard choices. Mitt Romney, in his speech, presented himself as the man to take up this challenge.

The biggest weakness that could be attached to Mitt Romney’s speech was the fact that he offered a vague picture of his vision for America in the next four years, which would be aimed at its revitalization (Julian et al, 2012). While he promised a plan, this plan was not clear, and he left it up to the American people to figure out his plan over the coming few months. The speech was well delivered as Romney peppered his speech with all the right applause lines and intonations, including some teary eyed moment where he attempted to reach out to working class parents and fathers.

He reached out to fathers and husbands by invoking the support of his mother, sons, and wife, Ann Romney. Additionally, he reached out to right-wing evangelicals and immigrants. He also talked about how much love he had for his parents, his admiration for his mother’s run for senate, as well as talking about parenting fighting boys. According to Romney, “Those were not the easiest days: too many long hours and weekends working, five young sons…” (Romney, 2012). These references were aimed at appealing to ordinary American parents to see Romney as having a human side.

The speech was rhetorically solid but not ultimately compelling, full of heart but low on soul. The speech was prose-like, with no clear introduction trumpet to act as the lead-press, account paragraph. The conclusion, while present, was not arousing.ReferencesJulian, Zelizer. Maria, Cardona. & David, Gergen. ( 2012 , August 31). Did Mitt Romney gain ground? Accessed; September 4, 2012, from CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/31/opinion/opinion- roundup-romney/index.htmlRomney, Mitt. (2012, August 30).

Romney Accepts the GOP Nomination in Tampa. Accessed; September 4, 2012, from Mitt Romney Central: http://mittromneycentral.com/speeches/2012-speeches/083012-romney-accepts-the-gop-nomination-in-tampa/