Intention

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2004 speech at the Republican National Convention explores themes like the American Dream, immigration, and terrorism.

Expressed during the 2004 Presidential Election campaign, the speaker’s message is an explicitly political one—that American voters should re-elect George W. Bush as US president: “Our President, George W. Bush, has worked hard to protect and preserve the American dream for all of us. And that's why I say, send him back to Washington for four more years!” (ll. 234-237)

Consequently, the speaker’s official and main intention is to persuade the audience that George W. Bush deserves to be re-elected.

Within this overall intention, the speaker pursues smaller, connected aims.

In the first part of his speech, his intention is to present himself as a relatable politician by sharing his experience as an immigrant who achieved the American Dream and became the Governor of California: “To think that a once scrawny boy from Austria could grow up to become Governor of the State of California (...) That is an immigrant's dream! It's the American dream.” (ll. 12-17)

As the speech progresses, it becomes obvious that the speaker’s aim is to convince immigrants they can fulfill their American Dream of equal opportunity, because of the Republican Party: “To my fellow immigrants listening tonight, I want you to know how welcome you are in this party. We Republicans admire your ambition. We encourage your dreams.” (ll. 78-80)

In other words, he ...