Speech Comparison: William J., George W. Bush, And Barack Obama

Martin Luther King Jr., William J. Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all have very effective speeches, indeed. They agree on racial equality and try to work their way towards their goal. All four speakers have strong arguments and stupendous methods in adressing the situation. Although these speeches were written in different time periods, to this day, they make a huge impact on everyone's lives. However, the speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. has the strongest argument and makes the most immense impact towards ending racial inequality. For instance, President William J. Clinton referes back to Dr. King's speech for support towards his own. For someone else to use one's speech for support, it would have to be exceptional. President Clinton's speech starts out by saying, "If Martin Luther King were to reappear by my side today and give us a report card on the last 25 years, what would he say?" President Clinton from this point states what Dr. King might say if he were alive
today. He assumes Dr. King will congratulate our accomplishments, but will also scold us for our failues and ignorance. President Clinton refers to Dr. King's speech when he says,"'I fought for freedom,' he would say,' but not for the freedom of people to kill each other...'" and also, "I did not live and die to see the American family destroyed," meaning all the acts and strikes he carried out went to waste. Similarily, Dr.
King's speech has the strongest argument because, unlike the other three speeches, his speech does not include any bills, policies, or the government as part of the solution to ending racial inequality. President Obama, in his speech, says, "We are creating a Race to the Top Fund..." President Obama wants to strengthen America by applying a policy. Just like President Obama, President Clinton also wants to change America for the better by passing bills. "We are trying to pass a bill to make our people safer, to put another 100,000 police officers on the street,..., to pass the Brady bill...," says President Clinton. Although these presidents might be on the right track, Dr. King thinks differently. "But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free." Dr. King implies that even though the laws and policies changed, the hearts of the people have not completely accepted the idea. The "negros" are still being harrassed and do not consider themselves
"free." In addition, Dr. King keeps his audience drawn in and attentive to his speech. Dr. King's speech has imagery and is more heartfelting than the other presidential speeches. "...we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Dr. King wants his audience to feel encouraged, inspired, determined, and charged with energy to fight and defend their rights. Dr. King's speech has more feeling to it. His speech uses situations his audience can relate to, and it ignites their flame to fight for what they deserve. All things considered, Martin Luther King Jr. speech has the strongest argument and impact towards ending racism. He kept his audience drawn in t his every word, and encouraged them to work towards their goal. In contrast with the other presidencial speeches, Dr. King does not use policies or anything else related to the government as a way to solve the problem of racism. Also, other presidents refer back to his speech and accomplishments for support to their own arguments.