This study guide will help you analyze Barack Obama’s inaugural addresses from 2009 and 2013. We will show you examples of elements in the speeches that will be relevant for your analysis.
Barack Obama (b. 1961) was the 44th US President and the first African-American to hold this office. He began his career as a civil rights lawyer and later became a member of the US Senate, representing the state of Illinois. He is one of the presidents with the highest approval rate among the population after two terms in office.
The inaugural address from 2009 was delivered by Barack Obama. At that time, the speaker had just been elected the 44th President of the United States and this was his first official speech in that capacity. Consequently, he had both authority and legitimacy to give the speech.
Prior to that, he had been a member of the US Senate representing Illinois, and on a yearlong electoral campaign for winning the election as the nominee of the Democratic Party.
The Democratic Party is a historical party, founded in 1828. Nowadays, the party is characterized by a progressive and centrist orientation, drawing from modern liberalism, but also influenced by social ideals like the welfare state, social equality, and government intervention.
During the speech, Obama rarely speaks about himself and instead focuses on American society and the challenge at hand. However, at one point, he mentions his African-American father: “…and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.” (ll. 266-269)
He constructs his credibility and authority by reminding the audience he has won the elections and by appearing well-informed about both American history and current issues in American society: “I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.” (ll. 5-7); “Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered (…) These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land...” (ll. 32-39)
The speaker’s intention with the speech is to convey his vision of America’s future, focusing on the key challenges the country is facing and ways to overcome them during his term in office.
Some have argued that during this speech Obama came across as rather patronizing because he only focused on duties and responsibilities and because he made many typical references to American history: “…honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.” (ll. 246-250)
