Richard Nixon’s Pardon Rhetorical Analysis

pre impressionnt Gerald hybridisations Pardon of Ric sternly Nixon Former chairman of the coupled States, Gerald R. hybridisation gave a manner of speaking pardoning his predecessor, condition President Richard Nixon, of all(prenominal) offenses against the United States that he may own committed during his presidency. The announcement was make live on September 8, 1974. The speech was written to persuade the untaught to agree with the pardoning of Nixon and forgive him for the crimes he had committed against his unsophisticated. fording states that Theirs (Nixons Family) is an American catastrophe in which we all sire played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone essential write the end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must. President Ford argued that the pardoning of Richard Nixon isnt only for Nixon and his familys delegate but for the countrys well-being. Throughout Fords speech he makes evident the use of Logos, Ethos an d Pathos appeals. He uses the appeals evenly, convincing his auditory sense while still being well-supported and reasonable.Ford opens up his speech with legion(predicate) reasons why he, as the President and as a person, should be trusted, and that he thinks that what he is doing is the right thing to do in the situation. He proceeds to acquiesce that his job is a difficult one and that he has made mistakes in the past. Doing so helps him bond with his sense of hearing and let them k outright that he, too, is a person, full wish them and they can count on him, also sack outn as the ethos appeal. He states My customary policy is to try and get all the facts and convolute all over the opinions of my countrymen and to take council with my roughly valued agonists.But these seldom agree, and in the end, the ending is mine. This line of reasoning subtly creates the idea that the end he had to make was a hard one, and it ultimately came down to Ford having to take the resp onsibility. He proceeds to sort his country all of the options that he had, as if to make them feel desire they were a part of the process To procrastinate, to agonize, and to wait for a more palmy turn of events that may never sum up President Ford therefore makes himself seem truly credible by promising to uphold the constitution, to do what God has asked him, and to do the in truth best for America. In do himself credible, Ford establishes trust with his audience therefor making his argument easier to agree with. When he establishes his credibility, he moves to the pathos appeal to introduce his thesis. He plays to the audiences emotions by referring to Nixons situation as an American tragedy in which we have all played a part someone must write the end to it. Thus making the audience feel mentally ill for Nixon and his family, making his audience feel comparable they are at intermission for their tragedy. He makes his thesis statement in a powerful way, aphorism I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must. Imperceptibly making the audience thankful for fetching away their burden and making things right, so they dont have to. He again uses the listeners emotions and morals to support his opinion in localize to create empathy for Nixon by referring to how the allegations have threatened his health and that he is now trying to reshape his life. He also makes it obvious that Nixon spent approximately of his life in the service of this country, making Nixon a hero, not a criminal.This statement also institutes reliability for Nixon, correspondingly benefiting Fords argument. He tarrys to get sympathy from his audience by conveying that the situation they were relations with was uncharted territory and they didnt know how to resolve it. There are no historic or legal precedents to which I can turn in this matter, none that precisely fit the circumstances of a secret citizen who has resigned the Presidency of the United St ates. By saying this, he lets the audience know that the circumstances are fairly new, and he is the first to resolve them.This makes the audience feel more sympathetic for Gerald Ford and by admitting his faults the listeners would feel deal they can trust him more. The President goes on to say But it is putting surface knowledge that serious allegations and accusations hang like a sword over our former Presidents head After Ford had effected sympathy for himself, he makes this statement to show the audience that Nixon is also dealings with guilt and regret for what he did to his country.By referring to Richard Nixon as former President it brings trouble to the fact that Nixon was once a President of The United States, and that he should be respected and possibly even forgiven because he was once in instruction of the country and was once trusted by the entire country. Gerald Ford usesthe system of logic of his reasons, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence to c onvey why it is so strategic that he pardons Nixon now, rather than let the Supreme Court deal with the matter.He announces, many months and perhaps more years will have to pass forrader Richard Nixon could obtain a fair trial by jury in any jurisdiction of the United States under governing decisions of the Supreme Court. He uses the Supreme Court, the highest of all courts, to support his claim that pardoning Nixon was the best decision and he does this by affirming that the Supreme Court would take too long and if they couldnt make a decision, no other court in the United States would be able to make a decision. Making it palpable that he is the best option and nothing else would suffice.Later in the speech President Ford also brings forward the idea that, if the process of fair trial were to be brought out, the wait would only open old wounds and the people would only be polarized in their own opinions. This statement was said to make the listeners feel as if their negative o pinions, if any, of Richard Nixon were strong and unnecessary. It also makes the audience know that Gerald Ford is ceremonial out for them and he realizes they are hurt, and doesnt want the situation to continue to hurt him. By saying these things, the peoples qualitys of trust and confidence in the president are confirmed. I deeply believe in equal justice for all Americans, whatever their station or former station. After possibly differing with the audience in the previous statement, Ford uses this to quicken his credibility with the people and prepare them for more facts and reasons why he make his opinion. Gerald Ford influences the audience again by using emotion to guilt-trip them into feeling sorrow for Nixon by saying it is not the ultimate fate of Richard Nixon that most concerns me, though surely it deeply troubles every decent and every gracious person. Saying that a decent and compassionate person should care well-nigh what happens to Nixon makes the audience fee l like they, too, should care about his fate. And doing so would relate the need for them to feel that they are a compassionate and decent forgiving being. In this, I dare do not depend upon my individualized sympathy as a long-time friend of the former President, nor my professional discretion as a lawyer, and I do not. This statement tells the audience that he sees both sides of the argument.Because of his background, as a lawyer and as a friend of former President Nixon, he is forced to see the logical side and the emotional side. Therefore, it seems as if the decision President Ford has to make is overtaking to be made in a thoughtful and well-rounded way. As President, my primary concern must always be the greatest grave of all the people of the United States who servant I am. Saying that he is a servant to his country seems as if he is saying that the decision isnt only his, and he is trying to do what is best for his country, and what his country would think is best i n the situation.The statement implies that he wouldnt do any harm to his country and if he is an straight man, like he has already convinced the audience, then he should be trusted with this decision also. President Gerald Ford proceeds to talk about how his conscience is verbalize him to make this choice and that it is his duty, as President of the United States, to firmly debar and seal this book. This statement made the audience feel like the pardoning of Richard Nixon is an honorable thing, and that Gerald Ford is brave to do it.It also implies, by bringing up his conscience, that he listens to his inner thoughts and always tries to do the right thing and this is something he does regularly. By doing this he once again makes the audience see that he is a credible and honest man. Gerald Ford felt that Richard Nixon and his loved ones have suffered enough The use of the phrase loved ones instead of the word family makes a strong connection with the audience and makes Nixon loo k more vulnerable and innocent. Ford then takes advantage of the warmth towards Nixon and says we, as a great and in force(p) body politic, can come together and make his goal of peace come true. The reflection of the people as a great and good nation brings the audience together and brings forth the idea that we are all in this together, making Fords opinion seem like it was the entire audiences, too. Also, pointing out that Nixon had a goal of peace makes him, again, look like a very respectable man, which reflects well on President Ford. Gerald Ford uses the right amount of emotions, facts and credibility to endorse his opinion, and he does it very well without fault. He plays on the audiences emotions through making them sympathetic for Nixon by pointing out his losses.Ford uses the facts of Richard Nixons trial to make his decision more reasonable. He also uses his credibility to establish trust. He influences the viewers opinions very discreetly, so the audience conform thei r opinion to his without realizing it. Overall, Gerald Ford does a rightfully good job talking to his audience and making them feel like a part of his decision. He uses the appeals to his advantage and wins the audience over making it easier for them to believe that he is making the right decision.