In the 2008 Presidential Election of the United States of America the democratic Afro-American Senator of Illinois Barack Obama won against his republican competitor, the Senator of Arizona John McCain. This was partly a consequence of Obama’s tactic to deliver speeches which transmitted hope and the faith to believe in America as a great country with a great future where everything is possible, by using common American cultural concepts like the American Dream, the American Exceptionalism and talking about an American Unity, an inclusive America where everyone is welcome.
In the following paper I will firstly show what exactly the concept of the American Dream means, why it is still important until today and why Barack Obama fits very good into this construction of the fulfilled American Dream.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Barack Obama as a Personification of the American Dream
3. Analysis of Barack Obama’s Speeches in the Presidential Race 2008
3.1. New Hampshire Primary Speech of January 8, 2008
3.2. President- Elect Victory Speech of November 4, 2008
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines how Barack Obama utilized rhetorical strategies centered on the "American Dream" and themes of national unity to cultivate a narrative of hope during his 2008 presidential campaign. By analyzing key speeches, the research explores how Obama strategically constructed his identity and leveraged cultural concepts to appeal to a diverse electorate.
- The rhetorical construction of "hope" in political discourse.
- The role of the American Dream as a unifying cultural narrative.
- Obama’s strategic use of inclusive language and collective pronouns.
- The influence of historical political figures, particularly Abraham Lincoln, on Obama’s rhetoric.
- The interplay between personal biography and political identity.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 New Hampshire Primary Speech of January 8, 2008
The speech which delivered Barack Obama after the Primaries in New Hampshire is one of the most famous speeches he ever delivered. It shows very well that he emphasizes the United States as a real union where everybody is equal, no matter which race or ethnicity he or she has. It is also the first speech where he uses a lot of times his slogan “Yes We Can”, although the official slogan was to be meant “Change We Can Believe In”. Even these two slogans of their own emphasize that Obama tries to leave the past with all its problems behind through finding solutions for these and focus on a better and changed future.
After saying thank you to the audience and to his democratic competitor Hillary Clinton he starts his speech with the statement that “no one could have imagined” (Obama, New Hampshire 9) that he would make it so far. Even this little sentence in the beginning underlines these slogans that change is possible and that people can hope to achieve more than they have ever believed in. He goes on with explaining that most time of the race he has been far behind his competitors, but still he made it and was successful (12-14). These statements that something is somehow unlikely but still possible transmits hope to believe that even improbable things are possible and that giving up is no option. Furthermore he always emphasizes that it is not only his victory but the victory of all the people who voted for him and who made this possible (16). Throughout the speech he uses pronouns like “we”, “our”, “us” and finally “you” very often.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the context of the 2008 U.S. presidential election and introduces the core thesis regarding Obama's use of rhetoric to transmit hope.
2. Barack Obama as a Personification of the American Dream: This section explores how specific cultural concepts in the American mentality, particularly the American Dream, serve as a foundation for Obama's political identity and public image.
3. Analysis of Barack Obama’s Speeches in the Presidential Race 2008: This chapter provides a detailed rhetorical analysis of two pivotal speeches, focusing on strategic language and themes used to connect with the American electorate.
3.1. New Hampshire Primary Speech of January 8, 2008: This part examines how Obama used his "Yes We Can" slogan and collective pronouns to build a sense of unity and hope following his primary performance.
3.2. President- Elect Victory Speech of November 4, 2008: This analysis focuses on Obama's inclusive strategies and his use of historical allusions, such as Lincoln, to solidify his vision for a united America.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, highlighting Obama's use of physical appearance, inclusive rhetoric, and traditional American cultural symbols as the primary drivers of his successful campaign narrative.
Keywords
Barack Obama, Rhetoric of Hope, American Dream, Presidential Campaign 2008, Political Discourse, American Exceptionalism, Collective Identity, National Unity, New Hampshire Primary, Victory Speech, Inclusive Language, Abraham Lincoln, Political Strategy, Democracy, Cultural Concepts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the rhetorical strategies employed by Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential race to foster optimism and create a narrative of hope among American voters.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the American Dream, American Exceptionalism, national identity, the construction of a collective "we," and the strategic use of political slogans.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to analyze how Obama used language, historical references, and his own personal history to present himself as the embodiment of the American Dream and to advocate for change.
Which scientific method is used for this analysis?
The paper utilizes a qualitative rhetorical analysis, examining specific linguistic choices, pronoun usage, and the invocation of cultural motifs within selected political speeches.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section analyzes the New Hampshire Primary Speech and the President-Elect Victory Speech, examining how Obama used these moments to define his political vision.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as rhetoric, hope, American Dream, Barack Obama, collective identity, and political communication.
How does Obama utilize his personal biography in his rhetoric?
Obama presents himself as a living example of the American Dream, bridging the gap between his personal background and the national ideal of progress and equality.
Why does the author focus on the references to Abraham Lincoln?
The author highlights these references because Lincoln serves as a powerful symbol of unity, justice, and the American struggle, which Obama uses to align himself with historical progress.
How does the usage of pronouns contribute to Obama's message?
By prioritizing collective pronouns like "we" and "us" over the personal "I," Obama constructs a sense of inclusivity and shared responsibility among his audience.
- Citar trabajo
- Lisa Meyer (Autor), 2016, "Yes We Can". Barack Obama's Rhetoric of Hope in the 2008 Presidential Race, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/376862
