The part of my brain that always wants to go one step further thought it would be fun (yes, fun) to follow up my post, “Are You Tired of Divisive Political Messages?”, with a side-by-side comparison of President Obama’s 2008 inaugural address and President Trump’s 2016 inaugural address. In the interest of offering this to educate rather than persuade, I will not offer any commentary. However, your comments are welcomed and appreciated!
Another quick note, it would have been distracting for me to add quotation marks everywhere they are appropriate. Much of the material below is taken word-for-word or paraphrased from the official transcripts of the speeches. Please follow the links below for the actual transcripts. I have bracketed my edits and comments.
Okay, just one more note ?, since this is a side-by-side comparison, this post does not translate well to a mobile screen; best viewed on a tablet or computer.
President Barack Obama – 2008
“By President . . . Obama”
2,405 Words 18:42
Ave paragraph = over 100 words
Reaffirm enduring spirit for “all people”
Ready to lead
Risk-takers, doers, makers of things have carried us [i.e. hold the power]
Do our business in the light of day to restore trust
I stand here today . . . humbled . . . grateful . . . mindful
We remain . . . prosperous, powerful
Our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness
Economy is weak due to our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age
America will carry on by remaining faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents
We can and will lay a new foundation for growth to meet the demands of a new age
We have chosen hope, unity, purpose
Greatness must be earned
To those who seek to induce terror, we say “our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken” — We seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect
A new era of responsibility is required; we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world
Our challenges will be met
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers
Values upon which success depends: honesty, hard work, courage, fair play, tolerance, curiosity, loyalty, and patriotism
It is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which the nation relies — When we were tested we refused to let the journey end
Call to action: Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interest and putting off unpleasant decisions has passed. We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
Surest route to our common good is the ability to extend opportunity to every “willing” heart
Soldiers embody the spirit of service, a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves
References to needing protection: 1
References to God: 5
President Donald Trump – 2016
“As Prepared for Delivery”
1,445 Words 17:12
Ave paragraph = around 30 words
Restore promise for “our people”
Determine the course of America and the world
Transfer power from D.C. to the American people
Restore trust through government protection
You came [here today] . . . to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen
The American carnage stops here
We are one nation; our national pride will heal our divisions
Economy is weak because we’ve enriched foreign industry, subsidized foreign armies, and defended foreign border — The wealth of our middle class has been redistributed across the entire world
A “new vision” will govern from this moment on; it’s going to be [only] America First
“Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.”
We will bring back jobs, border, wealth
We will start winning like never before
We will “eradicate completely” Radical Islamic Terrorism
Now arrives the hour of action [full paragraph with no explanation of what kind of action]
We will “not fail”
[We are] infused with the breath of life by the “same almighty Creator”
We will make America strong, wealthy, proud, and safe again
I will never, ever let you down
Call to action: Two simple rules: Buy American and Hire American
We will rediscover our loyalty through a total allegiance to the United States of America
Our soldiers will never forget we all bleed the same red blood, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, we all salute the same great American flag
References to needing protection: 6
References to God: 5
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