a campaign speech definition

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How to Write Election Campaign Speech in 10 Steps

This guide provides essential tips on how to write election campaign speech that will resonate with your audience. Writing an election campaign speech is a critical and complex process that requires careful planning, research, and effective communication skills. A campaign speech can make or break a candidate’s chances of success in an election, and thus it must be crafted with the utmost attention to detail and relevance.

A well-crafted speech can help a candidate to connect with voters, build trust, and win support for their candidacy. However, writing a compelling speech that resonates with the audience can be a daunting task. To write an effective election campaign speech, one needs to understand their audience, have a clear campaign message, and convey that message with passion and conviction.

In this process, it is important to keep in mind the tone and style of the speech, the audience’s values and beliefs, and the specific goals of the campaign. Here are useful tips and strategies to help candidates write a successful election campaign speech. Contact us now to help you conduct a thorough research and create an effective political campaign speech that will convey your values and policies of the political party or candidate and resonate with the audience and stakeholders.

Step 1: Define your audience

Before you start writing your campaign speech, you must first define your audience. Who are you speaking to? What are their concerns, hopes, and aspirations? What are the issues that matter to them? By understanding your audience, you can tailor your speech to their needs and concerns and connect with them on a more personal level.

Step 2: Craft a powerful opening

The opening of your speech is crucial, as it sets the tone and captures the attention of your audience. Start with a strong and compelling statement that immediately grabs their attention. You could use a statistic, a quote, or a personal story to draw them in and make them want to listen to what you have to say.

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Step 3: focus on your message.

Your campaign speech must have a clear and concise message that reflects your values, beliefs, and vision for the future. Focus on the issues that matter to your audience and demonstrate how your policies and plan of actions will address their concerns. Be specific and provide examples of how you will make a difference if elected as a president, house of representative, senator, governor or even state assembly member.

Step 4: Use persuasive language

The language you use in your speech is essential in persuading your audience to vote for you. Use persuasive language that appeals to their emotions, values, and aspirations. Use simple and easy-to-understand language that everyone can relate to. Avoid using jargon, technical terms, or complex sentences that may confuse or alienate your audience.

Step 5: Be authentic and genuine

Authenticity and genuineness are crucial when delivering a campaign speech. You must be honest and sincere in your message and connect with your audience on a personal level. Share your personal experiences, past records, values, and beliefs that demonstrate your authenticity and inspire trust and confidence in your leadership.

Step 6: Use humor and storytelling

Humor and storytelling are excellent tools for engaging your audience and keeping their attention. Use anecdotes, personal stories, or jokes to add some lightness and humor to your speech. However, be careful not to offend or belittle anyone, as this could harm your credibility and reputation.

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Step 7: use rhetorical devices.

Rhetorical devices, such as repetition, alliteration, and metaphors, can make your speech more memorable and impactful. Use these devices strategically to emphasize your message and create a lasting impression on your audience.

Step 8: Address your opponent’s weaknesses

When writing a campaign speech, it’s essential to address your opponent’s weaknesses without attacking or insulting them. Highlight your opponent’s weaknesses, and demonstrate how your policies and plans are superior to theirs. However, be respectful and avoid personal attacks or mudslinging, as this could harm your reputation and credibility.

Step 9: End with a call to action

The conclusion of your campaign speech should inspire your audience to take action and vote for you. End your political campaign speech with a powerful call to action that encourages people to support your campaign, volunteer, or donate to your cause. Provide specific instructions on how they can get involved in your movement and make a difference.

Read:  The Roles of the Media in Nigerian Elections

Step 10: practice and rehearse.

Finally, practice your speech as much as possible before delivering it to your audience. Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or practice in front of a friend or family member. This will help you identify areas that need improvement, work on your delivery skills, and build your confidence.

Wrapping up: How to Write Election Campaign Speech

In conclusion, writing an election campaign speech can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and preparation, anyone can deliver a compelling and impactful speech. The first step is to understand the audience and their needs and concerns. This helps to craft a message that resonates with them and addresses their issues.

It is also important to have a clear and concise structure for the speech, with a powerful opening that captures the audience’s attention, a strong middle that reinforces the main points, and a memorable closing that leaves a lasting impression.

Related:  How To Hire A Political Campaign Team

To make the speech more persuasive, using rhetorical devices such as repetition, analogy, and emotional appeal can be effective. However, it is important to ensure that the speech is based on accurate and verifiable facts and not just rhetoric. Rehearsing the speech several times before the actual delivery can help to boost confidence and ensure a smooth delivery.

It is also important to get feedback from others and make necessary adjustments to the speech based on their feedback. By following these tips and putting in the necessary effort and practice, you can write and deliver a winning campaign speech.

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Campaign Speech

When you think of campaign speeches, the first thing that pops out of your mind is election period– be it a presidential election or a school-associated election. But just like a persuasive speech , you must be able to get your message across the public otherwise, they would never vote for you. Sure, you are famous and well-loved by the public, but what makes you different from the rest of the other renowned and beloved politicians and other student leaders? That is where you need to stand out from the rest of your competitors.

• Speech Examples
• Special Occasion Speech

All competitors promise the same thing– programs that will benefit the masses and a better state of living. Take for example the victory of current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. In the 2016 national elections, he won in a landslide vote. Despite his many controversies and jokes bordering on insults, he is seen as a genuine genuine person who speaks from within (no matter how offensive he may seem). But perhaps what made him win the elections were the promises he made to the Filipino people such as: shifting to a federal form of government, addressing abortion and contraception issues, creating an improved agrarian and tax reform program, and forging a partnership with China while maintaining strong relationships with the United States, among others. You may also see youth speech .

Campaign speeches do not only try to persuade the masses to vote for them, but also to do their best to excite, and motivate, and compensate for weaknesses in other parts of the campaign. Good speakers try their best to make it look natural, but truth be told, it is actually harder than it looks. There are some specific techniques that you can apply in order to make your speech more effective. Whatever purpose your campaign speech will be used for, make sure that you deliver it in a way that will convince everyone that you are the right candidate for the job. You may also see  Self-Introduction Speech .

Listed below are some campaign speech examples you can use:

1. delivering your own student council speech.

Speak slowly.  Never, ever rush your campaign speech. If you do so, you might end up not making sense at all. Even when your content is top-notch, but if your delivery and speaking skills are not really good enough, it will not mean a thing, especially to your audience. Research actually shows that people fear delivering a speech more than death itself. It is perhaps because of the anxiety and tension placed on you as you give your speech. To deal with that, just breathe in the middle of your speech. The moment you begin inhaling and exhaling, use that time to recover the words that you are going to say and then, continue your speech.

Talk to the audience like you’re having a conversation . Talk casually, but not too casually. Remember, when you deliver a campaign speech, the audience is not going to be just your friends, but also your colleagues, peers, former instructors, and people with authority or power. Though it does not hurt to crack a joke once a while to lighten the atmosphere, make sure that it is not only the jokes they recall. Speak casually, yet speak in a way that the public’s undivided attention is needed. You may also see orientation speech .

Keep your words simple and direct. Students are known to have a short attention span which makes it a challenge for the candidates to get all their points across without boring the audience halfway. Deliver it in a way that is short and easy enough to make your audience understand all the points that you are trying to emphasize, especially with your promises. You may also see presentation speech .

Read it aloud to see how it sounds.  Best to try and practice your speech in front of a mirror. Try to visualize yourself speaking in front of the student body. Once you’ve done so, rehearse like it is going to be your first and last speech you will be delivering to the students. If ever you need assistance in doing so, it is best to grab a friend to help guide you on the points you should emphasize. You may also see motivational speech .

2. Structuring a Campaign Speech

Tailor your message to your audience in specific ways. Before you start writing, think about the audience you are addressing. Who is this speech for: the students or the general public? Remember, content is king and presentation is queen. Even though there is no right or wrong way in presenting your speech, each type of audience is different that the same campaign speech would have the same expected impact twice. Understand your audience well enough to make adjustments to your speech as to custom-fit the necessary points you wish to deliver towards them.

Outline your speech. All forms of writing has a beginning, middle and end. Outlining your thoughts first will help you stay on track as you write the speech. The beginning needs to catch people’s attention and raise the questions you’re going to answer. The middle needs to provide the answers, and the end connects the answers back to the questions. In very simple terms: You tell them what you’re going to tell them. Then, you tell them. Then you tell them what you told them.

Make your point quickly. Once you begin your speech with a theme or a main idea, go directly with what you are trying to say. For example, if you beat around the bush too much, you will not be going anywhere. You have to convince them to listen to you. There’s a lot of ways to get this done. You can use a story, a challenge, a joke, or just vividly describe a problem. You just need to get the audience’s attention quickly. Earn their attention and don’t expect it to come to you. You may also see informative speech .

Support your theme. Once you’ve got their attention, don’t let go. The middle of your speech needs to explain the issues you raised in the introduction speech and convince people that you can do something about them, but you need to vary the way you tackle the issues.

You want to have a good mix of facts, feelings, and action. If you only talk facts, your audience will get bored. Only talk feelings, and you’ll wear them out. Only talk action, and it invites disbelief, because you haven’t offered enough factual and emotional support for your argument. You may also see thank-you speech

Raise the stakes at the end. The conclusion is just as important as the introduction. It’s the last chance you have to leave an impression, so make sure they remember you by raising the stakes. Make it bigger than that—something that makes them feel weaker for not supporting you and stronger for supporting you. You may also see appreciation speech .

Play to your strengths. Identify which appeals you have on your side and emphasize those aspects of your argument. Should you be lucky enough to have all three, you don’t have much more to do than make sure all the words of your speech are in the right order. However, most arguments are going to be weaker or stronger in one or more areas.You may also see declamation speech .

If your biggest appeal is associational, your argument is less about specific points than it is about you. Design your speech to emphasize your biography and why it makes you trustworthy. People elect a person, not a set of ideas.

If your biggest appeal is emotional, keep your speech short, so that the audience doesn’t notice the logical flaws. Foe example, adjust your energy level to the audience’s. If they’re agitated, start slowly. If they’re bored, then start off at a higher energy level. Always work to an emotional crescendo, however. Never start at the emotional level you want to finish at. You may also see informative speech .

If your biggest appeal is logical, break up the facts with feeling. You can’t risk boring your audience to death, so you need to break up your logical propositions into bite-sized chunks. Think of it as the spoonful of sugar principle—a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.You may also see welcome speech .

Make your audience understand with clear logical appeals. Logical appeals are actually the strongest appeals, but they are the slowest to take effect. It takes longer to make someone understand a problem than it does to make them mad–or make them believe you’re a part of their group.You may also see farewell speech .

Stoke the passions of your audience with an emotional appeal. Emotional appeals are some of the most powerful appeals, particularly when you want to turn your audience against something or someone.

Whether you end up winning or losing at the end of the day, accept that defeat with grace and humility. Never allow that loss to discourage you in doing better the next time around. Adapt, learn, grow, and observe. Even in victory, there is always room for improvement. The art of persuading others is an art that takes time to master. It is a slow and long process, but you will eventually get there. Keep that head high and walk in confidence! You may also see leadership speech .

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How to Write a Campaign Speech

Last Updated: December 28, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 804,116 times.

A good campaign speech can persuade, excite, and motivate, compensating for weaknesses in other parts of the campaign. Although good speakers make it look natural, there are actually specific techniques you can use to make your own speeches more effective, techniques which apply to all manner of campaign speeches. Whether your speech is for a student election or governmental election, you can use these techniques to transform your speech into one everyone will be talking about.

Sample Speeches

Delivering Your Own Student Council Speech

• A lot of people get nervous when they give a speech, and when people get nervous they talk fast. But fast talkers seem untrustworthy. So if you get nervous, space out your words (literally, put five spaces in between each word on the page) to keep your speech measured.

• Don't go overboard with informality. You're asking to lead your peers, so they need to trust you can do that. Most people can't lead well, so to convince them you can lead well, your speech should also reflect that you're more capable than an average person. You need to strike a balance. Speak at a level just above the level of a typical conversation.

• Instead of: "We need to address the way we schedule our lunch breaks in a reasonable but fair way, because the way we do it now isn't fair to anyone."
• Try: "We have people eating lunch at 10:30 am. They're still serving breakfast at Burger King at 10:30! It doesn't make sense! By the time 2:00 rolls around, the early lunch kids are starving. There is a better way. We all know it."

Structuring a Campaign Speech

• So, if you’re talking to one classroom, don’t only talk to the classroom about a general problem the school has. Talk to the classroom about how that general problem affects them and how you can change it.
• For example, don’t say: “The breaks in between homeroom and first period aren’t long enough.” Say: “Everybody in homeroom has gotten at least one demerit for being late to first period. We can’t get all the way from North Campus to South Campus in time. Elect me as homeroom representative, and I won’t let the administration forget it.”

• The beginning needs to catch people’s attention and raise the questions you’re going to answer. The middle needs to provide the answers, and the end connects the answers back to the questions. In very simple terms: You tell them what you’re going to tell them. Then, you tell them. Then you tell them what you told them.

• Don’t say: “My name is Joe Blow, and I’m running for City Council. I’m a member of…”
• Instead, get right to it. Say: “Not a single person in this city thinks the parking situation on Main St. is adequate. No one.”
• There's a lot of ways to get this done. You can use a story, a challenge, a joke, or just vividly describe a problem. You just need to get the audience's attention quickly. Earn their attention, don't expect it to come to you.

• You want to have a good mix of facts, feelings, and action. If you only talk facts, your audience will get bored. Only talk feelings, and you’ll wear them out. Only talk action, and it invites disbelief, because you haven’t offered enough factual and emotional support for your argument.

• To continue with the parking example, don’t end your speech talking about the width and number of parking spaces on Main St. Make it bigger than that—something that makes them feel weaker for not supporting you and stronger for supporting you.
• “This isn’t just about parking spaces. The parking situation is just a symptom of everything that’s wrong with the Council in this city. We’ve asked. We’ve begged. We’ve done all we could. Now we have to send a message that they can’t just ignore us.” With this kind of appeal, you put the listener in a position where they are either a person who votes for you or a person who lets themselves be ignored. Most people will take the first choice.

Writing a Political Stump Speech

• Your speech needs a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• The beginning needs to hook the audience, you need to keep them interested through the middle, and the end should leave them nodding their heads in agreement, applauding and on their feet.

• Staying on message is about more than repeating yourself. Focus on a problem and then offer a solution. Say your issue is healthcare. That’s a multifaceted issue, so bring up specific problems, and offer specific solutions.
• For example, start by offering the problem: “Prescription drug costs are too high!” Give a few details or anecdotes to illustrate the magnitude of the problem, and then offer your solution: “And that’s why we’re going to negotiate directly with the drug companies to lower prices.”

• They are one of us and deserve our allegiance because they protect us.
• They are one of us and understand us because they have lived a life like mine.

• Emotional appeals can turn audiences against things for a simple reason: anger and fear are easy emotions to stimulate.
• For example, when a politician says: “The system is rigged! They think they’ve got you fooled, but I know different.” They are making an emotional appeal based on stoking the anger of the audience. When they imply that “they” think of the audience as fools, the speaker plays to the audience’s sense of ridicule. This infuriates the audience, turning the audience against “them.”

• For example, "Very few of us would argue with the proposition that 99/3=33. That’s because we’ve been logically convinced of its truth. There’s almost nothing a person could do to convince us otherwise, and therein lays the power of a logical appeal. However, it took us far longer to understand division than it did for us to feel anger or fear, or understand that we were part of a group."

• If your biggest appeal is associational, your argument is less about specific points than it is about you. Design your speech to emphasize your biography and why it makes you trustworthy. People elect a person, not a set of ideas.
• If your biggest appeal is emotional, keep your speech short, so that the audience doesn’t notice the logical flaws. Adjust your energy level to the audience's. If they're agitated, start slowly. If they’re bored, then start off at a higher energy level. Always work to an emotional crescendo, however. Never start at the emotional level you want to finish at.
• If your biggest appeal is logical, break up the facts with feeling. You can’t risk boring your audience to death, so you need to break up your logical propositions into bite-sized chunks. Think of it as the spoonful of sugar principle—a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.

• If you will be speaking at a podium or beside a table, put your notes on a piece of paper or a notepad--not notecards. Very few people can shuffle notecards discretely enough to look professional while doing it.
• If you won’t have a podium and you must use notes, get your notes onto one notecard.

• Brevity is the soul of wit. No one is going to remember sixty word sentences. Since you are striving to be memorable, make sure to pepper your speech with short, punchy lines. You don’t want to sound like a limerick, but you do want to use alliteration, assonance, and rhythm to your advantage.
• For example, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” contains only nine unique words, with seven examples of alliteration.

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• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.conversationagent.com/2018/04/writing-for-listening.html
• ↑ https://www.write-out-loud.com/student-council-speeches.html
• ↑ https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/what-makes-a-great-political-speech
• ↑ https://www.european-rhetoric.com/ethos-pathos-logos-modes-persuasion-aristotle/
• ↑ https://www.communicationcache.com/uploads/1/0/8/8/10887248/the_effects_of_anger_sadness_and_happiness_on_persuasive_message_processing-a_test_of_the_negative_state_relief_model.pdf

About This Article

If you’re writing a campaign speech, first outline a beginning that catches people’s attention and raises questions, a middle that provides answers, and an end that connects the answers back to the questions. Then, when you write, open by using a story, a joke, or a challenge to make your main point immediately. Use a mixture of facts, feelings, and actions to support your theme through the middle of the speech. Finally, write a conclusion that makes it clear what’s at stake, using strong, forceful language to convey your position. For more tips on writing a campaign speech, including writing a political stump speech, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Jan 02, 2020

Stump Speech: The Ultimate Speechwriting Guide

by Martín Diego Garcia

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• Write a Political Speech

Stump Speech: Connect With Voters by Creating a Campaign Speech.

Here is our ultimate guide to writing a great stump speech. We all know that the candidate is the campaign’s best asset, and the stump speech is the best campaign tool for delivering a 7C’s (clear, concise, contrastive, connective, creative, compelling, consistent) message and personal story about the candidate and campaign. 

WHAT IS A STUMP SPEECH?  A political Campaign speech has been a staple on the campaign trail since the 1800s and is still a critical tool for modern day campaigns. Your stump speech should be the core message for you campaign and repeated at almost every campaign event or activity. A candidate should be able to repeat their stump speech in their sleep and might just start doing that involuntarily after delivering it a couple of hundred times. The speech should be a quick way for the candidate to answer the following questions for their audience:  

• WHO the candidate is? This should be a short introduction of the candidate’s name and a little background to humanize them to voters. Where you’re from, your family, your connection to the community?
• WHY they are running for this office? There should be a very clear and compelling connection between your person story and the collective challenge your community is facing that has prompted you to run for office. Tell a story about the issue(s) you’re running on. Who specifically is being harmed by these problems? 
• WHAT is the contrast/choice for voters? This is VERY important. You need to lay out your vision for the future and differentiate it from your opponent(s)’s idea for the future of your community. If there is no clear contrast the voters will not have a compelling reason to cast a vote. 
• WHAT is the ask for the audience? Lastly, you need a simple and specific ask for your audience. Do you need them to vote for you? Knock on doors? Donate to your campaign? And by when do you need them to do it? 

HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR STUMP SPEECH BE?  An average campaign speech given at an event, at the doors, on an interview can be between 5-10 minutes in length. However, most often a candidate has about 90 seconds to 3 minutes when on the campaign trail for an introduction. So be prepared! 

Think of the shorter version as a quick introduction like cliff notes or a synopsis. This can be used to start a conversation at the door or introduce yourself on the fly. For the longer version of the speech you are merely adding a little more context and color to the story depending on your audience. 

WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR STUMP SPEECH?  Here are the core campaign speech writing components that should be in your speech. They do NOT need to be in this order necessarily, but the speech should have a nature order that flows together. 

• INTRODUCTION: You need to have a hook to grab a person’s (peoples) attention right from the start (be careful with telling jokes unless you’re good at them) and then give the basics – your name and office you’re running for. 
• PERSONAL STORY: Weave in your personal story. What is your motivation for stepping up to run for office? What are the values you hold that are needed in the office or to solve this issue? But whatever your do, please DO NOT list off your resume. No one is interested in hearing that. Trust me.
• PROBLEM STATEMENT: Present a clear and relevant (to audience and electorate) issue that needs to be solved. What is wrong that needs to be fixed? (For incumbents, what needs more work OR to be protected?).  Why do you care about this issue and why is it relevant to the community at large? What is at stake for them? 
• SOLUTION/VISION: What is your solution to solving this program? What skills, experiences or qualities do you have that make you suited to solve this issue? Paint a picture for the audience about what their future could look like if this problem was solved. 
• ASK: What is it you need from the audience you’re speaking to? You need a clear and concise call to action that allows them to be part of your vision and get involved with your campaign. Do you need an endorsement? Donations? Volunteers? Votes? Tell them exactly how they can help be part of the solution. 
• Thank them for their time! 

WHY SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR PERSONAL STORY? 

Stories have been a part of civilization since the dawn of time. Stories have been used to pass down history through generations. It is also how we connect with each other through a shared humanity. It’s no wonder we’re all wired to engage with and react to stories that includes voters! Stories are all around us in books, TV, movies, music, news, brunch, literally everywhere.  As a candidate you’ll get much farther with your constituents by telling a story to show people your vision versus just throwing facts and data at them. 

Utilizing your personal stories can be extremely beneficial due to one thing: it makes you seem normal. One of the issues that America faces today is the lack of care for politics. Candidates who use their personal stories are able to create a positive feeling around their candidacy. Talk about yourself as a way to relate to your audience. Funny stories are great icebreakers. Lastly, and most importantly, always tell the truth. Especially in today’s technological age, it is much easier to find out if a candidate isn’t speaking the truth or is speaking in half-truths.

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE RUNNING? 

Voters want to know why you are running for office. They want to hear your motivation, so they can see if they trust you or not. Voters know what the problems in their communities are, so instead of repeating them back, tell them how they’ve affected you and your community. 

For example, if education is your core issues, don’t start by throwing out all the stats and facts about struggling, underfunded schools. Start by showing voters how this is affecting actual people, specifically children, talk about a student who was not able to reach their full potential because of the lack of funding or current policies in place. That way, you’re painting a picture and humanizing the issue for voters, so they see it more personally. 

WHY DO YOU NEED TO USE AN EMOTIONAL APPEAL? 

People are not rational beings and we often make decisions based on our emotions rather than the facts. If you look at the sweeping victories for Biden, Obama or Trump the one thing that connects them is that they both got voters to feel something. Biden campaign was based on empathy, Obama’s entire campaign was based on hope and aspiration, while Trump’s was based in fear and division. Two very different strategies but both based in telling emotionally captivating narratives. 

WHY SHOULD YOU AVOID LISTING OFF YOUR RESUME? 

We’ve all been there. Waiting to hear from a candidate and all we get is a rundown of their resume of accomplishment.  Spoiler alert: your degrees and awards won’t buy you love from voters. Yes, having them is important but defining yourself by them is not going to create an emotional connection with your audience. Your stump speech should show not tell your story. It should weave in your accomplishments as supporting evidence but not the main plot line. 

Remember that every  campaign speech will be different, but if you can speak from the heart and tell people your story, they are much more likely to remember you when it comes to casting their vote. So practice, practice, practice and if you need help please feel free to reach out to our team. 

Have questions about writing a stump speech? Drop us a note. 

Questions? Email Us

Political Speech Writing: How Candidates Can Craft Compelling Messages

Understanding the Power of Political Speeches

Political speeches play a pivotal role in shaping the course of nations and can shape the trajectory of societies. Effective speech writing for elections allows leaders to communicate their vision, values, and policy objectives to the public. These speeches serve as a means of persuasion, providing a platform for leaders to connect with their constituents emotionally. Through carefully tailoring speeches, a political oratory has the potential to inspire, mobilize, and unite people around common goals and ideals.

One key aspect of political speeches is their ability to inform and educate the public. In a democratic society, an informed citizenry is essential for making sound election decisions and understanding government policy implications. A well-done political oratory allows leaders to clarify their positions and present evidence and data. Speechwriting for elections often requires addressing complex issues and helping citizens make informed choices about how they want the country to move. Moreover, political speeches serve as a channel for transparency and accountability.

Beyond their informational role, a well-crafted political oratory fosters unity and social cohesion by containing messages of hope, unity and inclusivity. They can transcend political divides and unite people, transcending differences of opinion and background. In times of crisis or uncertainty, campaign speeches provide reassurance and a sense of purpose. Furthermore, campaign speeches help a nation navigate challenges and emerge stronger.

Well-crafted campaign speeches can be transformative in elections by serving as a dynamic tool for candidates to connect with voters, sway public opinion and ultimately change the outcome of an election. When a candidate speaks passionately about issues that resonate with your audience, it creates a sense of trust and authenticity by tapping into the electorate's hopes, fears, and aspirations.

Speechwriting for elections helps to clarify a candidate's policy positions and goals, providing voters with a clearer understanding of what they stand for, allowing them to set themselves apart from their opponents and creating a sense of confidence in their leadership. A well-crafted political speech can sway undecided voters to the candidate's side.

Rousing persuasive communication can galvanize volunteers and grassroots activists , encouraging them to work harder for the candidate, leading to a higher voter turnout among the candidate's base.

Steps to Effective Political Speechwriting

Here are five tips for crafting an effective political speech:

#1: Make time for research.

Digging deep to find relevant information is crucial when writing a political speech because it adds depth and credibility to the discourse. Great research also ensures that the political speech addresses the complexities of voters' concerns. A speechwriter can write informative and persuasive communication by seeking out comprehensive data.

#2: Consider your audience.

Analyzing a target audience is essential for understanding their demographics, values, beliefs, and concerns. It allows speechwriters to tailor their message to resonate with their intended listeners' specific needs and interests. This analysis enables speechwriters to speak directly to the heart of the issues that matter most to the target audience. It also helps avoid potential pitfalls, such as using language or framing that might alienate or offend specific target audience segments.

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#3: Draw on the elements of storytelling.

Storytelling in politics is essential for political speechwriters because it helps engage and persuade the audience effectively. Furthermore, storytelling in politics captures the audience's attention by connecting them emotionally with the message. The right message provides a relatable and human dimension to the content. Furthermore, storytelling in politics helps create a cohesive speech that flows seamlessly, ensuring listeners understand and retain key points. Whether it is rallying support for a candidate, advocating for a policy change, or fostering a sense of unity, a well-crafted narrative can convey a compelling vision for the future and ignite a sense of purpose among the audience.

#4: Set the right tone.

A campaign speech must set the right mood because the emotional tone and atmosphere it creates can significantly impact how the audience receives and responds to the message. By establishing a positive and receptive attitude, the audience is more likely to be engaged and attentive to the speaker's message, which can inspire hope, rally support, and forge meaningful connections. Crafting a political speech that is positive and relatable makes the audience more receptive to the speaker's arguments, so it is a vital political communication strategy. A speech promoting a mood of unity helps to bridge divides, bringing people together.

#5: Edit and practice ahead of time.

Editing and rehearsing a political speech is essential because it ensures the message is clear, concise and free from ambiguity. A well-edited speech enhances the speaker's credibility by demonstrating that the candidate has thoroughly researched and prepared their remarks. Therefore, giving speeches can be a key political communication strategy.

Practicing a speech allows the speaker to fine-tune their delivery and tone to maintain the audience's engagement. Furthermore, practice enables the speaker to reinforce the critical points of the speech, ensuring that they communicate central ideas in an easily memorable way.

Examples of Memorable Political Speeches

Let's turn our attention to some political speechwriting examples. These political speechwriting examples can serve as a powerful guide for candidates.

#1: Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Consider Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, as it is one of American history's most impactful political speeches. Presented during the Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the speech was concise, lasting just over two minutes, but its impact was profound. Lincoln eloquently emphasized the principles of equality and liberty and redefined the purpose of the American government as a "government of the people, by the people, for the people." This speech solidified the United States' commitment to democracy and freedom. It also marked a turning point in the Civil War, as it galvanized public sentiment and reinvigorated the Union's resolve to preserve the nation.

#2: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

Another of the most impactful political speeches was Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This political speechwriting example was pivotal in the American civil rights movement. King's eloquent articulation of his dream for a racially integrated and just society resonated deeply with millions. The speech helped mobilize support for civil rights legislation and highlighted the urgent need for racial equality. King's call for nonviolent protest and his vision for a future where individuals would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin inspired generations of activists. It was crucial in advancing civil rights legislation, culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

#3: Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” Speech

One of the most impactful political speeches ever given was the one delivered at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, during which President Ronald Reagan issued a powerful challenge to the Soviet Union by demanding, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" The Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin for decades, symbolized the Cold War's division. This political speechwriting example indicated the West's commitment to freedom and democracy. While the immediate impact of the speech was limited, it contributed to the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Reagan's words resonated with people on both sides of the Iron Curtain, serving as a rallying cry for change.

Studying these speeches and tailoring speeches after them and other iconic speeches is a great way to learn public speaking strategies. These American political speeches share the theme of advocating for equality, justice and freedom. They transcended their immediate contexts to become lasting symbols of American ideals and continue inspiring generations of Americans and people worldwide. 

Here are some public speaking strategies to employ based on these inspirational speeches:

Ensure that the central theme of your political campaign communication resonates with the target audience and keep it at the forefront of the speech.

Using metaphors, similes, and emotionally resonant phrases to evoke powerful imagery and emotions in the audience is a critical speech delivery technique that can help your political campaign communications.

Understanding the audience's needs, aspirations, and concerns so that the message connects deeply is a speechwriting best practice you will want to remember.

Incorporating a clear and compelling call to action into the speech is an essential political communication strategy.

Be aware of historical contexts when crafting political persuasions for political campaign communications.

Align messages with the speaker's personality and values.

Employ strategic repetition to emphasize critical political persuasions because it will make them more memorable.

Use speech writing techniques to capture the speaker's authentic voice and beliefs.

Tips for Effective Speech Delivery

Candidates often ask speechwriters to give them speech delivery techniques. They may recommend several public speaking strategies that will help you with effective speech delivery. These include:

Using body gestures and body language to enhance the message's impact is a critical speech delivery technique as it helps convey confidence and credibility so that the audience connects to you better.

Connecting with the audience is paramount because it establishes rapport, fosters voter engagement and ensures the message resonates with the listeners personally. Therefore, it is crucial to remember this idea while focusing on speech delivery techniques as you build your political communication strategy.

Breathing deeply right before giving a speech is a vital speech delivery technique that can help you overcome stage fright as it calms nerves and boosts confidence.

Adapting Your Speech for Different Audiences

Among speech writing best practices is to adapt a speech to different audiences and your audience's demographics. This is essential for ensuring political persuasion as the message is relevant, relatable, and inclusive. Practicing this as you concentrate on other speech writing best practices ensures audience engagement occurs and that they will understand your messaging better.

Another key among speech writing best practices is remembering to be specific during a speech. This is vital as it adds credibility and clarity to the candidate messaging, helping to ensure audience engagement. Therefore, ensure that you use speech writing techniques for persuasive communication that address specific issues and concerns experienced by the audience.

Navigating Ethical Considerations in Political Speechwriting

Honesty is a fundamental pillar of trust and accountability in a democratic society, so when politicians are truthful in their political campaign messaging, they build integrity and foster the public's faith in their leadership. Citizens can make informed decisions when a politician uses truthful political campaign messaging. Therefore, make sure to always practice ethical speech writing.

Ethical speech writing also means avoiding divisive rhetoric because it often deepens existing divisions, polarizes communities, and makes finding common ground on important issues more difficult. Divisive rhetoric hinders constructive dialogue between political opponents. Using speech writing techniques that are inclusive, respectful, and constructive fosters unity, promotes understanding and achieves positive outcomes, which is essential for driving audience engagement in your political campaign messaging.

Leveraging Technology for Speechwriting

Many speech writing resources can help you. Let these speechwriting resources serve as a guide, but do not rely totally on speech writing resources, or you will block out the candidate's personality. Among the most effective speech writing tips is to let speechwriting tools enhance the speech writing process by using them to improve speech writing techniques. Among these speech writing tools, speech writing software is a vital resource that plays a pivotal role in organizing thoughts, structuring arguments, and drafting coherent content while creating political discourse and crafting political messages. Utilizing these effective speech writing tips gives you access to templates, outlines, and organization features that help transform ideas into well-structured political discourses. Even if you usually shy away from technology, try speech writing software.

An easy place to start is Good Party’s AI Campaign Manager , which can help candidates draft launch speeches with ease, saving time and energy. 

Additionally, another favorite among effective speech writing tips is to use research databases. These are invaluable tools for the speech writing process as they allow you to access vast amounts of information, including historical data, statistics, and policy details. Therefore, they are an invaluable speech writing resource, enabling speechwriters to conduct thorough research, fact-check statements, and bolster arguments with credible sources.

Furthermore, grammar and style-checking software is another indispensable software component critical to the speech writing process. This speech writing resource helps to refine language and ensure that the political rhetoric is clear, is grammatically correct, and resonates with the intended audience. These tools help avoid common language pitfalls and enhance the overall quality of the writing.

Another effective speech writing tip is to incorporate digital elements into political discourse, as using them engages a more diverse audience. Integrating visuals, such as infographics and charts, can make complex data more accessible by providing a visual context that aids comprehension. These graphic elements enhance understanding, make the speech more memorable, and help to ensure that crucial candidate messaging resonates with broader demographics.

Speech writing and public relations are intrinsically linked, playing a pivotal role in shaping the perception of individuals. Effective speechmaking in public relations allows for the dissemination of critical messages to target audiences. Through speechwriting and public relations strategies, public figures can build and maintain trust, manage their reputation and foster meaningful connections with voters, underscoring the indispensable synergy between speech writing and public relations in elections.

The Role of Speechwriters in Political Campaigns

Speechwriters often collaborate closely with candidates to help them build political communication skills. These political communication skills include articulating their vision, values and policy positions. Ethical speech writing requires you to lay aside your ideas and write from the candidate's point of view. This effective speech writing tip often begins with in-depth interviews to understand the candidate's personality, goals and key messages. Speechwriters then craft political rhetoric aligning with the candidate's voice and resonating with their intended audience. Regular communication and feedback loops are vital for crafting political messages, allowing for revisions and fine-tuning political communication skills to ensure that inspirational speeches are authentic and compelling. The partnership between speechwriters and candidates when crafting political messages is a dynamic process that must convey the candidate's vision effectively and connect with voters.

However, not all candidates need to hire speechwriters. With Good Party’s AI Campaign Manager , candidates can generate drafts of political speeches, completely for free. Our tools are especially helpful for crafting launch speeches, which candidates can give at campaign launch events and to kick off their campaigns.

Inspirational speeches, meticulously tailored to resonate with diverse audiences and delivered with authenticity, possess the potential to inspire, inform and mobilize voters, encapsulating a candidate's vision and values. Often, the words spoken reverberate in the electorate's hearts and minds. Tailoring speeches in this way gives them the power to shape the outcome of campaigns and the nation's course. Political rhetoric bridges the divide between candidates and voters, uniting diverse communities under a shared vision. Overall, remember that the qualities of a great speech rely on elements of style, elements of substance, and elements of impact.

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Political Marketing

The Importance of Political Campaign Speeches

Jun 16, 2020

How vital are speeches in a political campaign? It’s hard to say since there are so many variables. But with the right words, a candidate can inspire voters, connect with them emotionally, and even motivate them to take action. So, if you’re running for office, investing time and effort in creating speeches that resonate with your audience is crucial.

It’s no secret that delivering a great political campaign speech is critical to winning over voters . But many people don’t realize just how vital those speeches are. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of political campaign speeches and share tips on delivering your successful address.

What is a Political Campaign Speech?

• Introduction: The candidate introduces themselves, their background, and their reasons for running for office.
• Problem Identification: The candidate identifies the community or nation’s key issues and challenges.
• Solution Presentation: The candidate presents their proposed solutions to the identified problems, including specific policies and initiatives.
• Vision Statement: The candidate articulates their vision for the future and how their policies will contribute to achieving it.
• Differentiation: The candidate differentiates themselves from their opponents by highlighting their unique experience, qualifications, or approach to problem-solving.
• Call to Action: The candidate encourages voters to support their campaign, whether through voting, volunteering, or donating.
• Thank You: The candidate expresses gratitude to the audience for their time and attention and reiterates their commitment to serving the community or nation.

What is a political campaign speech, and why are they important?

A political campaign is a speech candidates make to get the public’s support. They are essential because, in a democracy, people use their right to vote for who they want to represent them.

A speech is a formal presentation of ideas. Campaign speeches are essential because they allow candidates to speak directly to the voters and change the outcome.

A political campaign is a speech a politician gives before an election. They are essential because they can help politicians win elections, meaning the elected people will get what they want.

When politicians make speeches to voters, they try to convince the public that their ideas suit everyone. They also usually try to offend their opponents and talk about how terrible things would be if those people were in power.

A political campaign speech is given during an election that explains why the candidate thinks they should be elected. They describe their actions if elected and why voters should vote for them.

A political campaign speech lets a candidate explain ideas and plans to the public. This is often done in front of many people, which can be nerve-racking and exciting!

The main goal of a political campaign speech is to persuade an audience like you and me. The speaker wants us to believe in him or his ideas so we can vote for him when the time comes!

A political campaign speech is a short presentation by candidates to persuade the public of their views. They’re essential because voting for officials with similar opinions means you agree, which will help improve the country’s policies.

A political campaign speech is a short presentation the candidate gives as they ask for votes . Campaign speeches are often in public places, and people hear what the candidates say about their political views and stances on issues of concern.

In a political campaign speech, candidates often use rhetoric to persuade voters. Rhetoric is an artful way of convincing people through language.

How do speeches influence voters during election season?

Speeches can help sway voters’ opinions. For example, if the speaker is funny and engaging, their address will be more memorable. Funny lessons are also practical because humor helps people relax, making them more receptive to what’s being said.

Speeches influence voters during election season by giving them insight into their personalities and experiences. An address must also be delivered effectively with influential rhetoric to be effective.

Speeches are a powerful way to influence voters during election season. They’re effective because of all the emotion and passion that come with them.

Speeches are often used to convince voters that a candidate is the best for them.

Speeches are a necessity during election season to influence voters.

Speeches are one of the primary ways that candidates try to influence voters.

Speeches not only persuade voters; they also help candidates build a reputation.

Speeches are a great way to influence voters during election season because they allow the candidates to discuss their plans and ideas with citizens.

Speeches by candidates have a significant impact on voters during election season. They can sway opinions, mobilize people to vote for their pick, and help them make informed decisions.

What makes a sound or evil speech, and how can you make your lessons more effective?

A good speech makes an impact on the audience. How do you create this type of speech?

A good speech is based on evidence and facts, such as the ones given by scientists . Wrong addresses are not helpful to listeners or consist of insults directed at an audience.

A good speech is coherent and logical. It has an introduction, a central part, and a conclusion. These parts should be well connected with transitions (like, furthermore, or in contrast).

A good speech is engaging and exciting; you must be passionate about it.

“To speak well, there is a need of three things: to choose good subjects, express thoughts worthily and distinctly, and deliver them with an agreeable voice; not so loud as to be heard farther than the speaker intends.”

A few key things make an excellent speed: confidence, conciseness, and passion. If you can do all these things, your audience will be hooked!

A good speech has a precise, concise topic and is well-organized. A lousy address contains random information that isn’t organized logically.

What goes into making an excellent Political Campaign Speech?

An excellent political campaign speech must be a pitch for why you’re the best candidate. It should also be values-driven so that people know what they can expect from your administration and will thus feel motivated to vote for you.

Initially, make sure that your speech is well-written. You’ll want to practice it so much in front of a mirror that you memorize every word.

An excellent political campaign speech should be both inspirational and informative. It requires a lot of research practices to give a good one.

To make a successful political speech, it is essential to have an organized plan. As well as having some good one-liners for applause.

An excellent political campaign speech must be engaging, unambiguous, and concise.

To make a good speech, you need to have a clear message. It should be concise but engaging so the audience doesn’t get bored or distracted.

• Clear and Compelling Message: The speech should articulate a clear and compelling message that resonates with the target audience. The message should be focused, relevant, and consistent with the candidate’s overall campaign strategy.
• Emotional Connection: The speech should establish an emotional connection with the audience by appealing to their values, aspirations, and concerns. The candidate should use personal stories, anecdotes, or metaphors to make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Authenticity and Passion: The candidate should convey authenticity and passion in their delivery, demonstrating their genuine commitment to their message and values. The speech should avoid sounding scripted or insincere.
• Clarity and Conciseness: The speech should be well-structured, concise, and understandable. It should avoid overly technical or complex language and focus on key messages that are easy to remember and share.
• Effective Delivery: The candidate should deliver the speech with confidence, energy, and charisma. They should use appropriate gestures, eye contact, and vocal variety to engage the audience and hold their attention.
• Call to Action: The speech should include a clear call to action that motivates the audience to support the campaign, whether through voting, volunteering, or donating. The call to action should be specific, urgent, and achievable.
• Memorable Ending: The speech should conclude with a unique and impactful statement or story that reinforces the main message and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
• Cultural and Local Relevance: The speech should consider the cultural and local context of the audience, incorporating relevant references, language, or issues that resonate with them.

How can speeches be used to influence voters before an election?

One of the best ways to get someone’s attention is by giving a speech. Giving them great lessons is the best way to influence voters before an election. There’s no better way than that.

Speeches can influence voters before an election by convincing them of the candidate’s plans, showing off their personality, and appealing to various groups.

Speech is a great way to convince people before an election. It’s one of the most potent ways you can persuade voters.

In many cases, an address may be even more critical than they say.

Speeches influence voters by providing facts that back up their campaign promises.

Speeches can influence voters before an election by showing them why you should be elected.

• Establishing Credibility: Speeches allow candidates to present their experience, qualifications, and vision, which can help establish credibility and inspire trust in voters.
• Communicating Platforms and Policies: Speeches can help candidates share their policy platforms and ideas, enabling voters to understand how the candidate’s policies would affect them personally.
• Influencing Public Opinion: Speeches can shape public opinion by influencing voters’ perceptions of the candidates and their platforms, leading to shifts in support.
• Building Emotional Connection: Speeches that establish an emotional connection with voters through personal stories or relatable examples can be more persuasive than those focusing solely on facts and policies.
• Differentiating from Opponents: Speeches can help candidates distinguish themselves from their opponents by highlighting their unique strengths or approaches to solving problems, making them more memorable and appealing to voters.
• Mobilizing Supporters: Speeches can motivate supporters to take action, such as volunteering or donating to the campaign, increasing the candidate’s chances of success on election day.

Political speeches can be some of a political campaign’s essential and memorable moments.

They are opportunities for candidates to share their vision for the country, connect with voters, and make a case for why they should be elected.

If you want to create a powerful political speech that will resonate with your audience, our team can help.

We have experience crafting speeches that inspire people to take action, and we know how to get your message out there effectively.

One way to get in touch is by filling out our online form on this site or give us a call at +91 9848321284. Let’s work together today!

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The learning network | on the stump: examining the form and function of campaign speeches.

On the Stump: Examining the Form and Function of Campaign Speeches

Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.

• See all in Civics »
• See all lesson plans »

Overview | What is a stump speech, and what makes one effective? In this lesson, students analyze the stump speeches of presidential candidates, then write the stump speech they would use if they were running for president.

Materials | Computers with Internet access, projector.

Warm-Up | Ask students if they know what a stump speech is. As they offer ideas, discuss the meaning of the phrase . Why do politicians have stump speeches? What are they meant to accomplish? How are they different from prepared political speeches made for specific occasions and contexts, and from debates and other spontaneous speech-making?

Once you think the class has a working understanding of the form and function of the stump speech, show a clip of a presidential candidate’s speech you have preselected from The Times’s multimedia feature “Anatomy of a Stump Speech.”

Instruct them to, as they watch and listen, write down five to 10 phrases that stand out to them – any group of words that imparts an idea, inspires an image or is notable for turn of phrase.

Afterward, invite students to volunteer to read one of their phrases aloud to the class without comment or explanation. After the first volunteer has read his or her phrase, another student voluntarily, without being called on, reads aloud a phrase that is in some way related to the last one read. Then someone else recites a phrase they noted down that is in some way related to the phrase just read. This process continues until everyone has read at least once.

There may be moments of silence in this activity during which students are looking for the next phrase that they would like to read. Inform them that these moments of silence are to be expected and to use this time to reflect on the power of the speech that they just heard. Also, make sure to let your students know that phrases can be repeated and, in fact, repetition is sometimes the best way to reinforce the importance of a certain idea or to appreciate the power of a certain phrase.


After each student has had a chance to read a phrase aloud, ask students why they chose these particular phrases. Did the manner in which the words were delivered affect any of their choices? What seems to be a common thread between all the phrases read aloud? What makes a speech particularly effective and memorable?

Related | The article “Romney’s Stump Speech Evolved Over Time” examines how the Republican contender Mitt Romney’s stump speech has changed to match the different goals he has had at different moments in his campaign:

Last month in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney delivered what his aides billed his “closing argument,” a final pitch to voters before the before the nominating contests begin. The remarks — an aggressive attack on President Obama combined with Mr. Romney’s own vision for the future of the country — were the latest iteration of his stump speech, which has slowly evolved since he announced his candidacy for president. The current speech differs from the earliest version, when Mr. Romney was trying to introduce himself to voters. In that, he often would begin with a meandering story about how when he was a boy, his parents put him in a Rambler and drove him across the country, from national park to national park, and instilled in him a love for the country.

Read the entire article with your class, using the questions below.

Questions | For discussion and reading comprehension:

• How has Mr. Romney’s speech changed over time? What parts of his speech remain unchanged? Why have some things changed while others have not?
• How have the changes to Mr. Romney’s stump speech reflected the different goals he has had at different points in the campaign?
• How does Mr. Romney critique President Obama? What are the content and form of these critiques? Do you think this is an effective approach to attacking an opponent?
• What is the contrast Mr. Romney is drawing between himself and President Obama by using phrases like “entitlement society” and “opportunity society”? Is it effective?
• What place does a theme song – like Kid Rock’s “Born Free,” in Mr. Romney’s case – have in a stump speech? What messages does the choice of a song like this convey to voters?

RELATED RESOURCES

From the learning network.

• Speech! Speech!
• Candidates and Campaigns: Analyzing the 2012 Presidential Field
• Strategy Session: Developing Campaign Plans for the 2010 Midterm Elections

From NYTimes.com

• Times Topics: Speeches and Statements
• 2012 Election Guide
• Republican Presidential Candidates

Around the Web

• Scholastic: Speechwriting
• UNC: Speeches
• Effective Speech Writing

Activity | Explain to students that for homework they will be writing their own stump speeches that represent their own personal and political values and address the American people persuasively. To prepare, they will closely examine the stump speeches of contemporary presidential candidates.

Tell students to work in pairs to examine a stump speech of a presidential candidate, looking specifically at word choice and how it relates to the meaning and effectiveness of the speech. Assign each pair one of the speeches included in “Anatomy of a Stump Speech,” making sure that there are equal numbers of each speech represented. (The video and the annotations to the speech are online, but you might offer them a paper copy of the transcript as well.)

If desired, you might also include a clip of President Obama giving a campaign speech and assign it to one or more pairs.

First, each pair should read along with the transcript of the speech as they watch the video of the candidate delivering it. As they read along, instruct them to highlight particularly evocative or striking words or phrases. Next, they will go back and read the annotations to the speech written by Times reporters. Finally, they will jot down the answers to the following questions: 


• Messages – What were some of the main messages of this particular speech? List the main points and themes. 

• Oratory – What words or phrases helped to support the speech’s main purposes? In particular, which words or phrases evoked emotion, painted a strong image or are very descriptive, and which words seem strategically chosen to make something seem particularly good or particularly bad? How do the words and phrases you’ve pointed out lend to (or distract from) the points being made? 

• Emotion – What emotions do you believe the speaker was trying to evoke? Do you believe this was achieved? If so, what words in particular helped to convey emotion? 

• Audience – To whom is the speaker trying to appeal? What words help you come to this conclusion?
• Delivery – What do you notice about the candidate’s use of elements like tone of voice, inflection, dramatic pause, pacing, rising and falling volume and body language to emphasize specific points in the speech? What worked and what didn’t?

Before the end of class, bring everyone together for a wrap-up discussion focused on the following questions: What were the most effective speech-writing and delivery strategies that each candidate used? Why were these strategies particularly effective? What would you have done differently than your assigned candidate? Why would you have made different choices? What would you say are the main lessons you’ve learned from closely examining these speeches?

Going Further | Individually, students write a stump speech – either for the candidate of their choice (one they support – or not) or for themselves, were they running for president. The speech should include some or all of the following elements: making promises, outlining policies and plans, connecting with voters on a personal level, critiquing or attacking the opposition and establishing memorable lines. They might also include a theme song of their choice.

In a later class, they will work with a partner to annotate their own speeches, as the Times reporters annotated the presidential candidates’ speeches in the interactive feature. Their annotation should point out what they are trying to accomplish by making particular rhetorical moves in their speech.

If desired, students can perform their stump speeches for the class live, or record them on video and play them for other classes or at a school assembly.

Standards | This lesson is correlated to McREL’s national standards (it can also be aligned to the new Common Core State Standards ):

Civics 20. Understands the roles of political parties, campaigns, elections, and associations and groups in American politics. 28. Understands how participation in civic and political life can help citizens attain individual and public goals. 29. Understands the importance of political leadership, public service, and a knowledgeable citizenry in American constitutional democracy.

Language Arts 1. Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process. 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes. 5. Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process. 6. Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for reading a variety of literary texts.

Life Skills: Thinking and Reasoning 1. Understands and applies the basic principles of presenting an argument. 2. Understands and applies basic principles of logic and reasoning.

Comments are no longer being accepted.

Mitt Romney’s stump speech caught my eye because of the phrase “This is the America of yesterday and we will not allow it to become the America of tomorrow.” But he needs to be put to the test because there’s a big difference between what you say and what you do.

No offense to the creators of what looks like an interesting and thoughtful lesson plan, but I’d rather that schools spent time looking at the big picture of American politics and a prescription to move our country forward. Read and discuss critically THAT USED TO BE US by Friedman and Mandelbaum.

Thought this was a good basis for a lesson. There are certainly elements that could be added in.

For elementary school or preschool age kids, Duck for President by Doreen Cronin is a funny but accurate way to learn about elections, including presidential. That Duck is charismatic!

The latest article under the heading of Current Events is one month old. Please give we teachers some help.

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How To Write A Presidential Speech

Katie Clower

The Importance of a Presidential Speech

Presidential speeches have been a prevalent and important part of our country’s society and culture since Washington’s inauguration in April of 1789 in which the first inaugural address, and presidential speech in general, was delivered. Since then, we as a country have beared witness to countless presidential and political speeches. Some have been moving, some inspirational and motivating, some heartbreaking and tear-jerking. Others have made us cringe out of anger, fear, or disappointment. Some have simply fallen flat, having been described as boring or awkward or unsettling.

Many presidential speeches are remembered and regarded to this day, despite how many decades or centuries ago they were delivered. Often, we remember and reflect on those which were the most special and important. But, in some cases the horribly written or delivered ones stick out in our minds, too. This writing guide is designed, in part, for those presidential or politician candidates and hopefuls to use as a tool to ensure their own speeches will be remembered and reflected on for years to come, for their positive messages and audience responses, not the opposite.

If you are not or do not plan to be a politician or president, do not stop reading! This guide is also written with the average person, even one with little to no political ties or aspirations, in mind. Public speech is a large aspect and topic of discussion in our society, one that has become critical to the presidential process. As such, many of us may be fascinated by and curious about the process of constructing and delivering a successful presidential speech. This guide will convey all of this information via data and analyses of previous both renowned and failed presidential speeches, deductions of what it was that made them so great or so catastrophic, syntheses of expert research and findings on the topic, and more. It does so in a casual, easy-to-follow tone, further making it a read for all.

Another reason this guide is applicable to everyone is because the speech-making tips and techniques shared throughout the text are true for not just political speech, but any form. Everyone has to deliver pitches, speeches, or presentations at some point in their lives or careers. The conclusion section emphasizes how the information and advice shared in this guide can apply to and help with all other forms of speech writing and delivering. With all of this in mind, this guide is meant for truly anyone who wants to take the time to read and be informed.

Goals of the Speech

Presidential speeches have become increasingly important over time as a means to connect with and appeal to the people in order to articulate and drive forward presidential goals, deliver or reflect on tragic or positive news, and more. As Teten put it in his study, “speeches are the core of the modern presidency” (334). He finds that while “in the past, speechmaking, as well as public appeal in the content of speeches, was not only infrequent but discouraged due to precedent and technology,” today it is one of the most important and most frequently utilized presidential tools (Teten, 334). Allison Mcnearney states that “even in an age of Twitter, the formal, spoken word from the White House carries great weight and can move, anger or inspire at home and around the world.” These findings make perfecting this method of communication with the people even more crucial to master. One part of doing so requires keeping in mind what the main, general goals of these speeches are.

Connection to Audience

While presidents and politicians deliver many different types of speeches which often have contrasting tones and messages depending on the occasion, there is always an exigence for politicians to make efforts to connect with their audience. This in turn results in a more positive audience perception and reaction to both the president and his speech. Later in the guide, specific rhetorical and linguistic strategies and moves will be discussed which have proven effective in fostering a connection with audience members through speech.

This overall notion of establishing connection works to break down barriers and make the audience feel more comfortable with and trusting of the speech giver. McNearney points to FDR as a president who successfully connected with the people, largely, she claims, through his fireside chats. The fireside chats exemplified a president making use of the media for the first time “to present a very carefully crafted message that was unfiltered and unchallenged by the press” (McNearney). Today, we often see our presidents use Twitter as a media avenue to connect and present their “unfiltered” version of a policy or goal.

Lasting Message

Another central and overarching goal presidents and politicians should keep in mind when writing and delivering a speech is to make it lasting and memorable. It is challenging to predict what exactly will resonate with people in a way that makes a speech long remembered. Many of the various rhetorical and linguistic techniques outlined in section III have helped former presidents deliver speeches that have become known as some of “the greats.”

Sometimes it is a matter of taking risks with a speech. Martin Luther King and Barack Obama are among some of the most powerful speech-givers our country has seen. Both men took risks in many of their speeches. Mcnearney points to Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech as being “risky” in its focus and discussion on racial tensions in the country, an often avoided or untouched conversation. But, the speech was well-received and well-remembered, proving this risk was worth it.

What to Do: Rhetorical and Linguistic Moves

A conjunction of previous findings from various scholars and my own research make up this section to portray the effective rhetorical and linguistic strategies that have been employed in successful presidential speech.

Emotive Language

In section II one of the central goals discussed in a presidential speech is to appeal to one’s audience . An effective way to do so is through emotive language and general emotional appeal. In their study, Erisen et al. note the value of “strik[ing] an emotional chord with the public” as a means to gain public support, increase public awareness, and overall aid presidents in pursuing their political agendas (469). They work to prove the effectiveness of this strategy through an analysis of an Obama speech, delivered during a time of growing economic crisis in the country.

Erisen et al. identify Obama’s implementation of both emotional and optimistic tones as rhetorical moves to connect with and appeal to his audience of constituents. The success of his use of emotionally-related rhetorical strategies are evident findings that came out of a survey that “reported that 68% of speech-watchers had a ‘positive reaction’ and that 85% felt ‘more optimistic’ about the direction the country was heading” (Erisen et al., 470). Stewart et al. also find that “more emotionally evocative messages… lead to higher levels of affective response by viewers” (125). This clear data indicates the power connecting with an audience through emotion can have on their response and future outlook.

Optimistic Tone

Along with Obama’s “optimistic tone” described above, others have employed what has been described as both hopeful and reassuring tones as rhetorical moves to appeal to an audience. Two of the ten “most important modern presidential speeches,” as selected by the nonpartisan affiliated scholars of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, are JFK’s address on the space effort and FDR’s first inaugural address (McNearney). JFK’s address was successful and well-received because of the hopeful tone he employs when discussing the goal to land a man on the moon. He gave the people an optimistic perspective on this lofty goal, making “Americans feel like there was nothing we couldn’t do” (McNearney). In his inaugural address, Roosevelt too pairs bold claims with optimism and reassurance to his audience.

Inclusive Language

Another found strategy utilized by presidents to appeal to their audience through speech is the use of inclusive language. In Teten’s study, he looks at the use of the words “we” and “our”, specifically, in presidential State of the Union Addressesses over time. His findings revealed a steady increase in these words within the speeches over time. The usage of these “public address and inclusion words” create an appeal with presidents’ audiences because they help presidents in creating “an imagined community in which the president and his listeners coexist on a level plane (Teten, 339-342). These findings illustrate the importance of not presenting oneself as an omnipotent power and leader, but rather a normal citizen of the country like all of those watching. Identifying oneself with the audience this way breaks down any barriers present.

Persuasive Language

Persuasion is another often-used rhetorical strategy, especially during presidential campaigns. In their study about “language intensity,” Clementson et al. look at the use of “persuasive language” as a strategy presidential candidates employ during their campaigns. They assert that “candidates seem to vary their language as they try to persuade audiences to perceive them favorably” (Clementson et al., 592). In referring to this persuasive rhetorical strategy, they utilize the term “problem-solution structure” as one which is often well-received by an audience. People appreciate hearing exactly how a president or presidential candidate plans to fix a problem at hand.

What Not to Do

  As stated earlier, while there are many speeches that are excellently written and delivered, there, too, are many speeches that flop. Alexander Meddings wrote an article which spotlights a number of political speeches which he deems some of the “worst” in modern history. In comparing what makes a good versus a bad speech he asserts that “a bad speech must, by definition, be flat, garbled and publicly damaging either for the speaker or for the cause they’re seeking to promote” (Meddings). In looking at some of the characteristics that make up some of the “worst” speeches, this section will highlight what not to do in the process of working to compose and deliver a successful speech.

The research demonstrates that length of speech actually proves very important. In Teten’s study, in addition to looking at inclusive language over time in presidential State of the Union Addresses, he also graphically measured the length, specifically number of words, of the addresses across time. His results proved interesting. There was a rise in length of these speeches from the first one delivered to those delivered in the early 1900s and then there was a sudden and far drop. There was a movement around the time of the drop to make speeches more concise, and it is clear, since they have remained much shorter as time has gone on, this choice was well-received.

Meddings alludes to this in his piece, describing both William Henry Harrison’s presidential inaugural address and Andrew Johnson’s vice-presidential inaugural address as some of the worst speeches, largely because of how dragged out they were. A very important aspect of speech-giving is capturing the audience’s attention, and this cannot be accomplished through a lengthy, uninteresting oration.

Lying And/or Contradiction

Though it should be fairly obvious that one should not lie in a speech, for the consequences will be great, there have been a number of presidents and politicians who have done so. Regan, Clinton, and Trump are all among the presidents and politicians who have made false statements or promises within speeches. Though it is understandable that a politician would want to speak towards what he or she knows will resonate and appeal to the audience, doing so in a false or manipulative way is not commendable and will lead to much greater backlash than just being honest.

Word Choice

Some politicians have been caught lying in speeches when trying to cover up a controversy or scandal. Though one should try to avoid any sort of controversy, a president or person in power has to expect to have to talk on some difficult or delicate topics. This is where careful word choice becomes vital. Often the way to ensure a speech is written eloquently, carefully, and inoffensively is through various rounds of editing from a number of different eyes.

Applications to All Forms of Speech-Giving

This guide should prove helpful for not only those looking to run for office, but for everyone. The various strategies and techniques given within this guide are, for the most part, broad enough that they can be applied to any form of speech-giving or presenting. We will all have to give a speech, a toast, a presentation, and countless other forms of written or oral works in our lives. Refer to this guide when doing so.

In terms of political or presidential speech specifically, though, in a sense there is not a clear formula for how to write and deliver them. In studies looking at various different successful presidential speeches, orators, and speechwriters, it is clear they all have their own unique style and form that works for them. But, the tips provided in this guide will certainly work to help to create a proficient and successful political speech writer and orator.

Works Cited

Clementson, David E., Paola Pascual-Ferr, and Michael J. Beatty. “When does a Presidential Candidate seem Presidential and Trustworthy? Campaign Messages through the Lens of Language Expectancy Theory.” Presidential Studies Quarterly 46.3 (2016): 592-617.  ProQuest. Web. 10 Dec. 2019.

Erisen, Cengiz, and José D. Villalotbos. “Exploring the Invocation of Emotion in Presidential Speeches.” Contemporary Politics , vol. 20, no. 4, 2014, pp. 469–488., doi:10.1080/13569775.2014.968472.

McNearney, Allison. “10 Modern Presidential Speeches Every American Should Know.”

History.com , A&E Television Networks, 16 Feb. 2018, www.history.com/news/10-modern-presidential-speeches-every-american-should-know.

Meddings, Alexander. “The 8 Worst Speeches in Modern Political History.”

HistoryCollection.co , 9 Nov. 2018, historycollection.co/8-worst-speeches-modern-political-history/7/.

Stewart, Patrick A., Bridget M. Waller, and James N. Schubert. “Presidential Speechmaking

Style: Emotional Response to Micro-Expressions of Facial Affect.” Motivation and Emotion 33.2 (2009): 125-35. ProQuest. Web. 1 Oct. 2019.

Teten, Ryan. “Evolution of the Modern Rhetorical Presidency: Presidential Presentation and

Development of the State of the Union Address.” Presidential Studies Quarterly 33.2 (2003): 333-46. ProQuest. Web. 30 Sep. 2019.

Writing Guides for (Almost) Every Occasion Copyright © 2020 by Katie Clower is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Start a Campaign Speech

How to Write a Speech Running for City Council

A campaign speech must convey an overall message to the intended audience. It must appeal to the emotions and feelings of the audience and connect the spoken words to persons who will hopefully support the candidate giving the speech. The greatest impact a speech can have is to mobilize a group of people to support, fund and to work for the candidate making the speech. All of this must be clearly articulated during the beginning of the speech.

Introduce yourself. Tell the people who you are in the most concise way without overwhelming them with your resume. Focus on those credentials that support you in being qualified and the best candidate for the office you seek.

Start the speech by appealing to the heart of the people who will listen to the speech. Vary your speech cadences, rhythms and voice intonation so that your speech appeals to the human psyche.

State the overall purpose of the campaign early in the speech. Ensure that the beginning of the speech is clear and outlines two to three main ideas that the speech will cover. Listeners will only retain a few points at a time. Carefully reiterate those main ideas throughout the speech.

Write the speech for the intended audience. Cater the speech to address the issues that are important to the audience. Use demographic data to help design the speech for the persons that will be in attendance to hear the speech.

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• Heartland: Campaign Speeches

Based in Virginia, Kevin M. Jackson has been writing professionally since 2003. He is the author of the books "Life Lessons for My Sons" and "When GOD Speaks." Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Savannah State University and a Master of Arts in urban education from Norfolk State University.

Stump Speeches On The Political Campaign Trail

A political campaign stump speech is given by a candidate for political office to introduce themself to the audience and present their platform. The speech is short and to the point, with plenty of personal stories, humor, and emotional appeal to the audience. It is often repeated throughout the campaign to smaller audiences.

In the world of politics, a good stump speech stands as an integral tool for fundraising or candidates vying for public office or as part of a presidential campaign. This enduring tradition, spanning decades and continents, serves as a platform for politicians to captivate and sway their audiences.

From addressing key issues to showcasing their vision for the future, the stump speech has evolved into a defining aspect of political campaigns, empowering candidates to rally support and leave lasting impressions on the electorate.

Table of Contents

What Is The Difference Between A Campaign Speech And A Stump Speech?

The terms “campaign speech” and “stump speech” are often interchangeable, but a subtle difference exists between the two. A stump speech is the equivalent of an elevator speech intended to make an introduction and summarize the essence of what a candidate has to offer.

It is a standard speech politicians give, while campaign speeches go into more detail and may vary between audiences.

Stump Speeches

The term “ stump speech ” originates from the practice of candidates standing on a literal tree stump or platform while delivering their speech in outdoor settings. Stump speeches tend to be more focused and streamlined, highlighting key messages and core talking points the candidate wants to convey consistently to different audiences.

Abraham Lincoln was known for effectively using stump speeches during his political career. He would often deliver these speeches while standing on a literal stump or platform, addressing crowds of voters directly. Lincoln’s stump speeches were concise, straightforward, and focused on connecting with the common people.

Ronald Reagan’s political addresses were optimistic and uplifting. He was a clear and persuasive speaker who intertwined strong conservative ideology with effective use of storytelling and skillful injections of humor.

Campaign Speeches

A campaign speech refers to a broader category of speeches a political candidate delivers during an election campaign. These speeches can take various forms and are typically tailored to specific audiences or events. Campaign speeches are often designed to appeal to a diverse range of voters the candidate encounters at rallies, town hall meetings, debates, or other campaign events.

What Is The Purpose Of A Political Campaign Speech?

The purpose of any  political campaign speech  is to establish a personal connection with voters by sharing relatable stories and experiences while presenting the candidate’s policy positions and vision for the future persuasively. It is a most effective way of inspiring trust, garnering support, and persuading voters to choose the candidate as the most qualified and capable leader for the office they seek.

A political campaign speech also serves as a platform for candidates to address critical issues and challenges facing the community, showcasing their understanding of these problems and their proposed solutions.

Through their speech-making abilities, candidates aim to rally their base, sway undecided voters, and demonstrate their leadership qualities and ability to effectively govern, ultimately seeking to secure the necessary support for a successful campaign.

What Should The Content Of A Campaign Speech Be?

The content of a campaign speech should include a combination of personal anecdotes and stories that resonate with voters, highlighting shared experiences and values, as well as the candidate’s policy positions and proposals to address major issues and challenges facing the community.

Furthermore, a campaign speech should emphasize the candidate’s vision for the future, inspiring hope and optimism while instilling trust and confidence in their leadership abilities.  Effective rhetorical techniques , such as persuasive language and powerful storytelling, can captivate the audience, leave a lasting impression, and generate enthusiasm and support for the candidate’s campaign.

Speechwriters play a crucial role in crafting solid stump speeches and political speeches for candidates on the campaign trail. They work closely with the candidate and their campaign team to develop a compelling message that resonates with the audience and aligns with the candidate’s goals and values.

What Type Of Speech Is A Campaign Speech?

A campaign speech is a persuasive address delivered by a political candidate during an election, aiming to engage and mobilize the audience in support of their campaign. It combines informative elements, presenting policy positions and proposals while employing persuasive techniques to sway voters.

These speeches serve as platforms for candidates to showcase their leadership qualities, establish personal connections with voters, and demonstrate their credibility. Candidates inspire trust and gain support from the audience by addressing key issues and presenting a compelling vision for the future.

What Should You Say In A Campaign Speech?

In a campaign speech, addressing critical community issues and presenting the candidate’s proposed solutions effectively is crucial. The speech should also highlight the candidate’s vision for the future, inspiring hope and establishing a personal connection with the audience through relatable stories and experiences.

Additionally, emphasizing the candidate’s qualifications, accomplishments, and relevant experiences is essential to showcase their suitability for the office they seek. It is important to appeal to the values and aspirations of the voters and conclude the speech with a strong call to action, urging the audience to support the campaign through voting, volunteering, or contributing.

For his candidacy, Republican Donald Trump used direct and confrontational language and populist messaging. His simple and repetitive slogans, such as “Make America Great Again” and “America First.” helped to convey his key messages and rally support among his base.

How Do You Start Off A Campaign Speech?

To start off a campaign speech, you can begin by acknowledging the audience and expressing gratitude for their presence, showing your appreciation for their support, much like Democratic Presidential Candidate  Barack Obama did in his campaign speeches .

Provide a compelling and relatable anecdote or story that captures the essence of your message, connecting it to the aspirations and concerns of the people you aim to represent.

Following that, transition into a clear and concise statement of your campaign’s core values and priorities. Use this opportunity to outline the key issues you plan to address and explain how your policies and proposals align with your values and goals.

How Long Should A Campaign Speech Be?

A campaign speech’s ideal length varies depending on the context and audience but generally ranges from 10 to 30 minutes. It should be concise and immediately capture the listeners’ attention, holding their interest throughout.

To effectively engage the audience and convey your message, focus on delivering a speech that is long enough to cover your key points but short enough to maintain the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.

What Is The Difference Between A Political Campaign Speech And A Speech At A Press Conference?

A political campaign speech is a public address delivered by a candidate during an election campaign to engage and mobilize voters. It aims to convey the candidate’s message, policy positions, and vision for the future in a persuasive manner, typically lasting from 10 to 30 minutes.

On the other hand, a speech at a press conference is an o pportunity for politicians to address the media directly, often in response to specific events or issues. These speeches tend to be more focused and concise, lasting a few minutes or less, as they are designed to provide information, answer questions from journalists, and shape the narrative around a particular topic or incident.

What Should You Do If You Are Giving A Campaign Speech And The Audience Isn’t Responding Well?

If you are giving a campaign speech and the audience isn’t responding well, you can take several steps to remedy the situation:

• Maintain your composure and project confidence even if the audience reaction is not what you expected.
• Assess the audience’s mood and engagement level. If they seem disinterested or unresponsive, consider adjusting your delivery style.
• Find ways to establish a personal connection with the audience. Share relatable stories, use humor, or ask thought-provoking questions to draw them into the speech.
• If you sense specific concerns or objections from the audience, address them directly. Acknowledge their perspectives, provide clarifications, and present your viewpoint in a respectful and persuasive manner.
• Adjust your content . If the audience is not responding well, evaluate your content and messaging. Ensure that you are addressing topics that are relevant and meaningful to them.

What Do You Do If You Lose Your Voice During A Campaign Speech?

If you lose your voice during a campaign speech, it can be a challenging situation, but there are steps you can take to handle it:

• Losing your voice can be frustrating, but it’s crucial to remain calm and composed. Take a brief moment to gather yourself and maintain a confident demeanor.
• Politely inform the audience that you are experiencing voice difficulties. Use gestures or non-verbal cues to indicate the situation, such as holding up a hand or pointing to your throat.
• Take a momentary pause to allow your voice to rest and recover. Take slow, deep breaths to relax your vocal cords.
• If possible, have a backup plan in place . Consider having a colleague or team member step in to continue delivering the speech on your behalf.
• If your voice is strained but still audible, focus on engaging the audience through non-verbal means. Exaggerate your facial expressions, gestures, and body language slightly to convey your message.

Adam Howarth

Adam covers the topic of Public Speaking for Digital Authority. From his first experience of oratory with his school debating society to his more recent experiences of promoting the local business scene in Wrexham, Wales, he has always been involved in public speaking.

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Meanings of campaign and speech.

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(Definition of campaign and speech from the Cambridge English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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[ kam- peyn ]

• the competition by rival political candidates and organizations for public office.

a sales campaign.

Synonyms: offensive , push , effort , drive

• military operations for a specific objective.
• Obsolete. the military operations of an army in the field for one season.

Last week we finished our campaign and I already miss it.

verb (used without object)

He planned to campaign for the candidate.

My daughter has been campaigning for a later curfew for months.

verb (used with object)

• to race (a horse, boat, car, etc.) in a number or series of competitions.

/ kæmˈpeɪn /

a presidential campaign

an advertising campaign

• military a number of complementary operations aimed at achieving a single objective, usually constrained by time or geographic area
• introften foll byfor to conduct, serve in, or go on a campaign

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Derived forms.

• camˈpaigner , noun

Other Words From

• cam·paign·er noun
• coun·ter·cam·paign noun
• pre·cam·paign noun adjective
• re·cam·paign verb
• un·cam·paign·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of campaign 1

Example Sentences

These Democrats could vote against Nancy Pelosi, use it in their campaigns to say they’re not with her even though they vote with her 95 percent of the time.

She declined to publicly name these Pence aides but said there was consistent pressure from Pence’s senior officials to focus more on the economy and the reelection campaign.

The Biden campaign, by contrast, said 183,000 volunteers have joined the campaign since the start of August, with about 2,000 more coming on every day since.

Conveniently, that information now turns up in a campaign ad.

If a vaccine is swiftly approved, it could upend the campaign.

The benefits of incumbency are quite potent, especially in the all-important area of raising campaign funds.

The U.S. launched campaigns in the restive Iraqi city of Fallujah and a surge campaign in Baghdad.

But the inability to measure progress in the ISIS campaign is widespread.

The U.S. campaign against ISIS leans on two pillars: conducting airstrikes, and beefing up local forces.

As she discussed her understanding of the voting rights campaign and how she planned to recreate it, I grew more relieved.

Vain also was the valour and ability he showed in the campaign against the Royalists in La Vende.

But Polavieja started his campaign with the immense advantage of having the whole of the dry season before him.

At the end of the campaign the Emperor justly rewarded his lieutenant by creating him Prince of Wagram.

By the end of the campaign of 1796 he had proved that he was as great a chief of the staff as Bonaparte was a great commander.

But Ulm was only the commencement of the campaign, and even after Austerlitz Napoleon pursued the enemy with grim resolution.

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Definition of campaign

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of campaign  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Examples of campaign in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'campaign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

French campagne , probably from Italian campagna level country, campaign, from Late Latin campania level country, from Latin, the level country around Naples

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

1692, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing campaign

campaign button

• campaign for
• campaign trail
• counter - campaign
• whispering campaign

Articles Related to campaign

When Did 'Campaign' Become Political?

'Campaign' comes from a word that means 'open country' or 'field'. How did it become political?

Dictionary Entries Near campaign

Cite this entry.

“Campaign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/campaign. Accessed 12 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of campaign, more from merriam-webster on campaign.

Nglish: Translation of campaign for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of campaign for Arabic Speakers

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Develop Strategic Leaders

Persuasive Speeches: Definition, Elements and Strategies

A persuasive speech is a speech intended to convince or persuade people to believe a particular point of view. This is the common definition. This definition is not complete.

Most speeches intend to make people believe a particular point of view. But they are not necessarily persuasive speeches.

Persuasive speeches do more than advertise a product. These speeches are more than educating people that one product is cheaper or better than others.

Leaders who can deliver effective persuasive speeches can make a big difference in the lives of people. Find out how you can craft and deliver inspiring solutions to people’s problems.

What is a persuasive speech?

A persuasive speech is a special speech delivered to move people to a specific action. It is crafted to create a series of yeses. A persuasive speech addresses the audience’s painful problems using powerful stories and makes emotional connections to compel people to take action.

People who want to lead or sell something will benefit from learning how to craft and deliver persuasive speeches.

Effective persuasive speeches make people buy even before you sell. A speaker who delivers persuasive speeches finds ways to help audiences solve painful problems and let them see new opportunities.

Many speakers choose to be entertaining and funny because they believe that persuasion is difficult. They do not know that persuasive speeches can be entertaining, educational, funny, and engaging.

There are easy and proven ways you can use when you prepare and deliver persuasive speeches to anyone anywhere.

In this guide, I will share with you insights on persuasive speaking. You will learn how to prepare, rehearse, and deliver speeches that move people to do what’s best for them.

Bring the Persuasive Speaker Bootcamp to Your Organization! 🎙️ Does your team have groundbreaking ideas but struggle to convey them? Elevate your leaders with the Persuasive Speaker Bootcamp, tailored to hone their speaking prowess. By bringing our program on-site, you empower your leaders to communicate with confidence, clarity, and conviction. Enhance presentations, boost team engagement, and watch as ideas turn into actionable results. Interested in transforming your team into compelling communicators? Discover the magic of persuasive speaking. Learn more about bringing the bootcamp to your organization .

Purposes of Persuasive Speeches

The ultimate purpose of a persuasive speech is to encourage the audience to “buy a solution and take action”.

A speech can have many purposes. Perhaps, it can educate, instruct, and indoctrinate. It can equip, encourage, and entertain.

A persuasive speech can be delivered for all of these purposes, but if the audience won’t take action, then the speech is not persuasive.

Let’s say that you are a speaker. You have an idea you believe will help your audience get what they dream about or erase what they hate most.

But your listeners do not know this idea (or solution). Or if they are aware of your idea, they are hesitant to use it. What would you do?

You will craft a persuasive speech and deliver it to

• convince your audience there is a big problem,
• the problem is not good for them,
• the problem is getting worse,
• there is a better alternative,
• it has many benefits,
• there are easy and proven ways to make a change,
• the audience is capable of change, and
• they only need to take the first step.

Am I making sense to you? You are not just informing your audience. You are not just entertaining them. You are not just convincing them.

You are PERSUADING them. That means you want to touch your audience’s emotions so that they will buy the solution and act on it.

To persuade is to sell. You offer a new reality, and you want people to start living in that reality. You are inspiring them to change their stories.

Persuasive speeches are not like a debate where you attempt to convince your audience that your truth has more weight than your opponent’s truth. A debate is a win-lose scenario or, sometimes, a lose-lose one.

As a persuasive speaker, you will show your audience that there is an easier, better, and faster way to win.

As a speaker, you will succeed if you focus on results and value

The purpose of a persuasive speech is to show your audience that they can get the life they want, that you know the solution, that the benefits outweigh the risk, and that they can have it now.

Kinds of Persuasive Speeches

People from various professions deliver persuasive speeches. The most common examples of persuasive speeches are sermons, motivational speeches, inspirational speeches, sales pitches, and campaign speeches.

A persuasive speech aims to inspire, influence, motivate, and compel audiences to act on problems or issues so they can ease their pain or create a new reality.

Persuasive speeches are crafted so that the audience gets a clear understanding of their problems, considers alternative solutions, picks the best solution, and makes the all-important first step.

Motivational Speeches

Motivational speeches intend to encourage audiences to start acting on their dreams. Motivational speakers use personal stories of struggles and failures to connect with audiences. They want to show that no matter how big obstacles are, we can turn them into stepping stones. They want you to do something about goals, aspirations, and dreams. If you want to become a motivational speaker, I have excellent articles for you.

Motivational Speakers: Leaders Who Move People to Action

Do managers really need to hire motivational speakers?

Inspirational speeches.

Inspirational speeches are persuasive speeches too. The speaker in inspirational speeches intends to show the value of going to your personal goals and ambitions.

You show your listeners, for example, that creating and adding value to the life of your community is excellent.

One who talks about the value of donating money for the sake of hungry children is inspired to be of service to others.

A sermon is a religious discourse delivered by a church leader. The topic can be theological or moral. A sermon is a persuasive speech where the speaker intends to show what is right and wrong — and the lifelong value of staying in the good.

Like motivational speeches, the preacher may use stories and anecdotes to drive the point. Many preachers, however, stick to quoting the scriptures. Many mega-churches have preachers celebrated for their ability to deliver persuasive sermons.

Campaign Speeches

A campaign speech contains the core message of a candidate. The speech highlights present problems and how it affects the people, the best solutions available, and why the candidate is the best person to deliver the solution.

In the Philippines, those who campaign for national positions seldom deliver campaign speeches. One president, for example, won by avoiding debates and instead using influencers who made promises they cannot deliver.

Even the admirable Chel Diokno did not use campaign speeches. On the other hand, Robin Padilla advanced the cause of Federalism during his campaign.

Politicians campaigning for office often deliver persuasive speeches. They intend to show prospective voters the future possibilities for them. They talk about what is right and wrong, what is important and what is not, and what new policies they intend to push and implement.

No wonder, most politicians sound like motivational speakers, inspirational speakers, and preachers.

Of course, many politicians choose to entertain than persuade. That’s because many voters have already decided to vote for them no matter what they say.

The charismatic Rodrigo Duterte did that in 2016. He did not persuade people; he only made jokes that his followers thought were promises.

But if you intend to become a good politician, study how to deliver inspiring campaign speeches.

Sales Pitches

Selling is a persuasive speech that typically follows Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. It may appear to many that salespeople are born that way.

In truth, many of the good ones are following a formula for persuading people to buy. The formula, unfortunately, is so good that scammers used it too to persuade people to give their money (for nothing).

You’ve likely been delivering persuasive speeches too.

You deliver persuasive speeches whenever you want someone to act on something you want them to do for you, for themselves, or for others. You just don’t have a name for it.

Persuade and Persuasion in Tagalog

Do you know what the word equivalent of “persuade” in Filipino is?

There are three words: manghimok, manghikayat, magyakag. All of these mean that you make someone take action.

We use manghimok or manghikayat when we ask someone to join a cause, a movement, or an action. Both do not mean like a lawyer convincing a court; instead, it means that you are persuading people to act or continue to suffer the status quo.

Yakag is a visual word. It means you are inviting a person to go somewhere they desire to go.

Persuasion means panghihikayat . That means that you want others to accept your ideas.

Elements of a Persuasive Speech

Here are quick ideas on how you can make persuasive speech work. If you are a motivational speaker, you will have great uses for these ideas.

You can add this to the  24 proven ways to become a successful motivational speaker .

Present the problem before the solutions.

A persuasive speech sets out the problem first, then the solution. Do this to indicate that you have listened. You are not starting a conversation but joining conversations already existing in the heads of your audience.

You begin with what’s most familiar to them: their problems.

Your solution is unknown to them. People resist listening if they don’t know what you are talking about. But if you talk about the familiar, the problems they face, you will get their attention.

Show that they have urgent needs, and there are solutions to these needs. And you are going to share with them the best solution if they care to listen.

2. Structure

Choose a solid structure.

Audiences want speeches that have a clear, simple, logical structure. A solid speech structure helps the audience see the parts of our presentation. The most effective persuasive speeches follow a problem-solution-benefit-action pattern. This structure brings your audience on a journey. They can see their transformation.

There are also other patterns we can use. Cause and effect. Definition. Classification. Inductive. Deductive. Comparative advantage. Elimination. You can study each approach and find out how each can help you deliver persuasive speeches.

3. Solutions

Identify the best solutions.

Many professional speakers have ready-made “solutions” that they sell to clients.

Think of these speeches as products that will benefit humanity.

To deliver a persuasive speech, find out which is the most painful problem of the audience your content can solve. If you cannot find a painful problem, don’t bother to speak.

Or do something else more practical.

Listen to your audience tell you their stories. Identify the problems they are facing. Gather facts. Find the best solution. Present it to them. Let them decide. Goad them to make small steps.

Okay. That last paragraph contains the steps for delivering persuasive speeches. Write them down. It works for me. It will probably work for you.

Let us know, like, and trust you. Make us believe that you understand where we are and you care about the future we want to create.

When you deliver a speech, your audience permits you to make them trust you. Sometimes, what you want your audience to do requires enormous risks. You cannot make them even the most minor step if they don’t trust you. You build trust by showing them your beliefs and values .

Persuasive speeches work when your audience trusts you. You can build trust by helping your audience solve their problems right there in the room.

Imagine that your audience has a checklist of problems, big and small.

Begin by helping them solve their small problems to gain their trust. Solve one, and they’ll be willing to give you more time.

Continue doing that until they start asking, “how can I get started?”.

Move from why to how.

A persuasive speaker takes the audience on a journey from why to how. You ought to tell people why they have to listen to you. Tell them why spending 20 minutes with you is worth it.

Unless they expect you to be the greatest entertainer, your audience won’t stay unless they know why.

In persuasive speeches, you do this when you tell them their stories, frame the problem for them, and help their thirst for change.

Then you move them to how. You will show solutions, the benefits of solutions, and make them do small steps (while in the room). The real success of a speech that persuades is when your audience no longer asks the whys but wants to know how to get started with the hows.

6. Decision.

Make the audience decide.

This advice is counter-intuitive, I know. We speak to move people to action. We design our speeches so that they’ll move people from A to B, from Why to How. Some of us might think that we know what’s best for our audience.

But our audience needs to own their action.

Respect their decision-making process.

Persuasive speaking is not coercive. You make your audience decide.

The best that you can do, while speaking, is to guide in the decision-making process.

Persuasive Strategies

Do you really want to move people to action? Do you want your speeches to resonate with your audience? You can be a high-impact persuasive speaker, but you have to do things differently.

Most speakers do not prepare for presentations. The closest they get to “preparation” is designing awesome presentation slides.

In truth, I rarely see excellent presentation slides. But that’s how it was before the pandemic.

During the pandemic, I attended many webinars where speakers are winging their presentations.

You won’t do that.

You believe that your audience deserves the best from you.

I recommend you consider these public speaking tips .

If you will not prepare, your speech is not that important. Don’t present an unimportant speech.

Here are six steps to help you prepare persuasive speeches.

Serve your audience.

Master presenters say that you have to know your audience so you can help them solve their problems. Define the persona or avatar of your audience so you will understand them.

You can use the empathy map to appreciate the world they live in and feel their fears and desires.

The best speaker can connect with their audience because they know where they are coming from.

I say, fall in love with your audience . Because if you love them, you will care enough to listen, appreciate, and help them get what they want. Most people fail in public speaking because they believe it is about them.

Make an irresistible offer.

You can come up with your USP or unique selling proposition. But it is easy to be unique. The challenge is how to become irresistible.

This is why it is crucial for us to find out what our audience needs. Our purpose is to understand what the audience desires (or avoids), how willing they are o do something (that they have not done before), what solutions they expect.

If you have no idea how you are changing the lives of your audience, you have no business speaking before them. Keep that in mind.

The first two steps are simple, but most speakers skip these steps. They spend more time spewing information.

Give the best story.

You tell them of a likable character in crucible. That character needs to make the first step on a journey that will change his life.

He is hesitant.

He does not know if he has what it takes to succeed.

But he cannot stay where he is.

You can tell a  story  about anyone. And you will allow your audience, through your account, to live under the skin of that person. Your story offers a visceral experience to your audience.

That’s because the hero of your story is not you but your audience.

You are the mentor. You will eventually disappear.

Plan your delivery.

After you have found your story, you will spend time thinking about delivering your speech. Don’t work yet on your PowerPoint Presentations. You may not need it at all.

Consider writing and rewriting your speech. Writing your speech will help you make your story visible. You will work on word choice, sequence, and tone.

Read your speech to find where the life of your story lies. Please note that reading your speech is not a rehearsal.

Involve your audience.

A persuasive speech is an animated conversation.

It is about your audience. You deliver a persuasive speech because you have something they need. Get your audience involved so you can move them to action.

Most of the speeches we know do not involve the audience. That is why most of these speeches are not persuasive. They don’t move the audience.

If you want to move your audience, you’ve got to plan to move physically. They can teach. They can play. They can solve problems together. Find as many ways to make your speech a kinesthetic experience.

Help your audience take action while in the room.

Most speeches fail because the audience does not get the opportunity to get started. They heard a story of struggle and success, but there was nothing to do.

They gave the motivational speaker a standing ovation. He was such an excellent speaker. But they don’t know what to do, how to get started when.

The best time to get started is while they are in the room. You can make your audience make small steps while you are delivering your speech. You don’t have to wait for the conclusion to make a “call to action.”

Awesome persuasive speeches move the audience to action so they can change their world. Help your audience to decide. Show how to get started. And make them start.

I offer workshops on persuasive speaking, presentation, and effective communication to companies in the Philippines.

You can get tailor-fit programs for your leaders. Explore the training programs below.

Speaking Resources

Do you want to learn more ways to become an effective public speaker? Then, explore the pages below to learn more secrets.

31 Best Public Speaking Workshops ( & Why They Work)

10 Presentation Secrets for Creating Memorable Messages

7 Powerful Presentation Strategies of Master Presenters

Master Extemporaneous Speaking

12 Ways to Improve Public Speaking Skills

10 Ways to Generate Impromptu Speech Ideas

About the author.

Jef Menguin

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Biden's general election strategy: Less is more

WASHINGTON — As President Joe Biden ramps up his re-election effort, his campaign is also scaling back how much he says on the trail, part of a larger new strategy to hone a sharper message he’ll take into the general election, according to Biden aides.

The less-is-more approach aims for quality over quantity when it comes to the president’s public appearances, aides said.

“There’s a strategic advantage at this point in the race to boiling down your message to the three or four most salient, compelling arguments for why President Biden should be re-elected,” said TJ Ducklo, the Biden campaign’s senior adviser for communications. “That will often translate to the stump [speech] being whittled down to its sharpest, most dynamic form. That’s what you’re seeing.”

The approach also has the appearance of a strategy aimed at minimizing the potential for Biden to make mistakes in a razor-close election. Some of Biden’s verbal missteps have occurred when he’s talking at length, veers off the prepared text or answers a reporter’s question when that wasn’t part of the plan.

Shorter, crisper remarks from Biden are part of his campaign’s broader strategy of having him appear more in smaller settings that the president’s aides believe serve him better than large, traditional rallies with voters.

Some of Biden’s advisers have been pushing for him to go even further in attempts to sharpen his public appearances. They’ve argued for the president to replace prepared campaign remarks entirely, in favor of less scripted retail stops and punchier, digital content where he speaks directly to the camera.

That dramatic shift hasn’t happened, but aides say the idea has been discussed as the campaign tries to find ways to reach an unsettled electorate that consumes information differently than in previous cycles. Discussing the idea is also a reflection, aides say, of how much harder it is to get — and keep — voters’ attention.

The president has in recent weeks made notable efforts at brevity, in both official and campaign events. Biden’s remarks this past week on the campus protests over the war in the Gaza Strip were just four minutes long. His high-profile speech on abortion rights in Florida last week was just 14 minutes long. And his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner lasted just 10 minutes — half as long as the year before.

Still, the effort appears to be a work in progress. At an infrastructure event in North Carolina on Thursday, Biden often deviated from the script in the teleprompter to add some political flourishes and spoke for more than 20 minutes.

Current and former Biden officials have long noted that the president sees value in delivering longer speeches, citing his interest in communicating comprehensively with Americans on policy matters. And aides said in the weeks ahead Biden will, at strategic moments, deliver some longer, issue-specific speeches aimed at drawing a contrast with his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. Most recently he gave an economic policy speech in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that lasted about a half-hour.

The Biden campaign has not yet built a speechwriting team, and most of the president’s public appearances continue to be in official settings. Mike Donilon, one of the Biden’s closest advisers who earlier this year shifted from his West Wing role to the campaign, has been regularly traveling with Biden as his events increasingly take a political turn.

Biden aides say they hope to refine a more compact stump speech for the president to use as the pace and intensity of the campaign builds later this summer.

“We’re evolving in the way that a campaign should,” one campaign official said.

The timing for scaling down the president’s remarks tracks with how his campaign operated four years ago, though Biden campaign events in 2020 were sparse due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Biden’s remarks shrank to an average of about 15 minutes as he gained momentum toward a matchup with Trump in 2020. At one of his larger events before Covid lockdowns, with thousands of people gathered under St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, Biden spoke for just seven minutes.

One former campaign official said the campaign — and Biden himself — felt the abridged stump speech resonated with voters and didn’t need more. The brevity of it “also had the benefit of him getting comfortable with the delivery, and then coming off better,” the former official said.

Even so, the official added, a briefer stump speech is no guarantee that Biden avoids mistakes, given sometimes shorter prepared remarks only invite the president to go beyond the written text.

Mike Memoli is an NBC News correspondent. 

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For American Jews, Biden’s Speech on Antisemitism Offers Recognition and Healing

While his message resonated with many Jewish leaders, the president’s remarks drew criticism from Republicans and supporters of Palestinians on the left.

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By Jennifer Medina and Nicholas Nehamas

President Biden, standing in front of six candles symbolizing the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust, delivered on Tuesday the strongest condemnation of antisemitism by any sitting American president.

For Jews monitoring a spike in hate crimes and instances of antisemitic rhetoric amid pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, Mr. Biden’s speech at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the Capitol was both fiercely necessary and fiercely appreciated. The Anti-Defamation League, which has been tracking antisemitic incidents since the 1970s, says the number of such episodes has reached all-time highs in four of the last five years .

“In an unprecedented moment of rising antisemitism, he gave a speech that no modern president has needed to,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League. “There has not been a moment like this since before the founding of the state of Israel. We have said it will never get worse, but then it has.”

Still, if the president thought he might change minds with his emotional and deeply personal speech — recalling his father’s discussions about the Holocaust at the dinner table and taking his grandchildren to former concentration camps — there were few signs he had caused many to reconsider their views. Instead, initial reactions fell along ideological lines.

Republicans dismissed his comments as meek, while supporters of Palestinians on the left attacked him for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

Warren David, the co-founder of the Arab America Foundation, an advocacy group, said it was disappointing that Mr. Biden has not spoken more forcefully against anti-Arab racism and the death toll in Gaza.

“I wish that he would also give a speech and talk about the lives of Palestinians that have been lost, and the pain and the agony that we as Palestinians and Arab Americans feel,” said Mr. David, who added that he condemns antisemitism. “Biden has to give more attention in his discourse to Palestinians and Arab Americans.”

The president spoke seven months to the day after the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7. About 1,200 people were killed along Israel’s border with Gaza and more than 200 were taken hostage in the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Echoes of the Holocaust have loomed in the background of the debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Activists have relied on slogans evoking the Holocaust both to defend and to attack Israel. While supporters of Israel chant and post on social media the phrase “Never again is now,” critics of Israel frequently invoke the idea that “never again means never again for anyone.”

On Wednesday, several leaders of three public school districts will be questioned by members of a House committee that has already questioned four college presidents about campus antisemitism, leading to the resignations of two of them .

For months, Mr. Biden and other Democrats have faced unrelenting protests against steadfast support of Israel. But the speech Tuesday and his remarks last week about the campus protests signaled that the president appears more concerned with shoring up support among moderates than with rallying the left flank of his party.

Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, who spoke before Mr. Biden on Tuesday, won applause when he decried racism, sexism and Islamophobia, along with other forms of hate. Mr. Biden kept his focus more squarely on antisemitism and offered an “ironclad” commitment to Israel, its security and its existence as an independent state “even when we disagree.”

“To the Jewish community, I want you to know: I see your fear, your hurt, your pain,” Mr. Biden said. “Let me reassure you, as your president, you’re not alone, you belong, you always have and you always will.”

Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat who is Jewish and has relatives who escaped or were killed in the Holocaust, called Mr. Biden’s speech a desperately needed moment of “moral clarity.”

“When we turn on the TV and we see all these people on college campuses protesting, there are people who are old enough to remember that happened at universities in Germany,” Mr. Moskowitz said. “It wasn’t uneducated people in the streets. It was the intelligentsia part of German society as well that got involved.”

He added that “parents of Jewish kids are scared” because “they see this rise going on, and it reminds them of the stories their grandparents told them.”

Just days before Mr. Biden’s speech, Sharon Kleinbaum, the rabbi of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in Midtown Manhattan, received a bomb threat targeting her synagogue, which caters to L.G.B.T.Q. Jews.

“He is walking a very fine line very well by referring to Jews and others, but this was Holocaust Remembrance Day, and we are feeling vulnerable in America,” she said. “While I do not think that all criticism of Israel is antisemitic, there are places where antisemitism is flourishing. It has been messy.”

Diana Fersko, a rabbi in New York City and the author of a book on antisemitism, said she heard the president’s remarks as a kind of pastoral salve.

“There was an effort to hold the Jewish people emotionally — so many of us are so deeply traumatized that it was comforting to hear those words of reassurance,” she said. “We don’t feel our pain has been seen and heard among people who we once considered friends, so the recognition of both then and now was deeply validating and empowering.”

Republicans have used the campus protests as a political cudgel against Mr. Biden and the Democratic Party. Donald J. Trump has called the demonstrators “ raging lunatics ” and praised police officers for arresting them. Last month, Speaker Mike Johnson held a news conference at Columbia University, where he suggested Mr. Biden should send in the National Guard to quell protests. Mr. Johnson also spoke at the event on Tuesday, comparing the protests to what happened in Nazi Germany.

Matt Brooks, the chief executive of the Republican Jewish Coalition, accused the president of not doing enough to support the efforts to defeat Hamas.

“This is a sad example of President Biden saying one thing publicly and privately working behind the scenes to do something radically different,” he said, speaking by phone as he traveled in Israel. “It’s quintessential Joe Biden: He is trying to tell everyone what they want to hear but the reality of what they’re doing is very different.”

Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J-Street, a left-leaning lobbying organization that supports Israel but has been deeply critical of its current government, called the speech “very welcome” and praised the president for addressing antisemitism broadly.

“The fight over a millenia-old hatred should not be a partisan issue, but it has become a political football and it’s a shame,” he said.

David Myers, a professor of Jewish history at the University of California, Los Angeles and the director of the Initiative to Study Hate, said the president soberly acknowledged the “extraordinarily surreal dark place we inhabit after Oct. 7, with all the profound political and moral complications.”

But, Mr. Myers said, the president could have said more about the universal message of the lessons of the Holocaust, including the treatment of civilians. “It would have been a brave and important statement to make clear that support for Palestinian freedom and justice need not be by definition antisemitic,” he said. And he added that Mr. Biden also missed an opportunity to explain that the current spike in antisemitism in the United States first emerged from the far right during Mr. Trump’s ascent.

Shane Goldmacher contributed reporting.

Jennifer Medina is a Los Angeles-based political reporter for The Times, focused on political attitudes and demographic change. More about Jennifer Medina

Nicholas Nehamas is a Times political reporter covering the re-election campaign of President Biden. More about Nicholas Nehamas

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden at a Campaign Reception | Palo Alto,   CA

Private Residence Palo Alto, California

2:28 P.M. PDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Well, Melissa [Marissa] and Zach, thank you very much.  I really mean it.  And you have such a beautiful family.  You really do.

     Girls, when you get to be teenagers, it gets hard to raise daddies.  (Laughter.)  We’re easy until about age 13, when the boys start showing up.  (Laughter.)  So, you got to be very patient with daddies. 

     And I told your brother he’s got one important job: Keep the guys out of the house.  (Laughter.)  Anyway.

     (Audio drops.)  You’re incredible.       These two ladies here, in my view, and I mean this sincerely, are emblematic of how America is changing.  You’re incredibly competent — you’re changing the whole notion of what constitutes success and what can be done.  Both are capable of doing anything in the world they set to do.  I mean — I mean it sincerely.  And I just can’t tell you how much you have folks looking up to you all across this country, women who look and say (inaudible).  (Inaudible) you’re doing.  Look what you’re doing.

     When I got elected president — I mean this sincerely — I decided I was going to have an administration that looked like — I should stay here, shouldn’t I? — (referring to the podium) — (laughter).  I was going to have an administration that looked like America, and I meant it, both in term- — we have more women in my Cabinet than we have men.  We have more women in the offices, in the major positions in my administration than we have men.  And we have people of color that — we have more African Americans that are in courts.  We have more Hispanics. 

     I mean, we just decided that it’s important.  I mean this sincerely.  I didn’t plan on saying any of this until I looked at you two guys.       It’s really important that people have something to look to to know what can be done, to know what can be accomplished.  You could be governor; you could be president.  (Laughter.)  No, I mean — I’m not — I’m not joking.  I’m being deadly earnest.

     And a lot is changing.

     And so, Jennifer, the First Partner of California, who is doing an incredible job along with the governor.  And also, it’s great to be in California w- — but the only — I’m in a little bit of trouble because Kamala is not here.  (Laughter.)

     Every time I’m going to California, she says, “Wh- — wait, wait — I got to go back.  I got to go back.”  (Laughter.)

     She sends her love.

     And I want to thank you all for your support for this campaign.

     Look, we’re into the spring, and we’re genuinely — there’s excitement and momentum moving on — building this campaign.

     So far — I don’t think this has ever happened before — we have 1.6 million people who have individually contributed to this campaign — 1.6 million.  97 percent have contributed under $200, and they’re doing $5, $10, $20, $30 a month.  And we’ve raised more money than anybody has ever raised — because of you, as well — at this stage in a campaign.

     We’ve opened over 150 offices in battleground states.  And, you know, we — we’ve opened — and Trump has opened zero offices.  And it’s not just because he’s in a trial; he isn’t doing it at all. 

     Look, I think this is going to be a campaign — those women and men who play sport — tough sports.  It’s like — it’s about blocking and tackling.  It just gets down to who is going to get to — have the volunteers, who’s going to knock on the doors, who’s going to make those phone calls, who’s going to put those signs up.  It matters.  Who’s going to get people to the polls.

     While the press doesn’t want write about it, the momentum is clearly in our favor, with polls moving towards us and away from Trump.       As I left Wisconsin last week, the Wisconsin latest Quinnipiac Poll has us up six points among registered voters.  The IPSOS/ABC Poll has us up four nationwide.  All the rest are basically tied. 

     But I, quite frankly, don’t think the polls mean anything today.  It’s awful hard to get a read of a poll.  I don’t know how many — my pollsters tell me that you have to contact an enormon- — enormous number of people just to get a response.  And there’s — hardly anybody has cell pho- — anything other than cell phones.

     We know not everyone is feeling the enthusiasm, though, for real.  

     The other day, a defeated-looking guy came up to me and said, “Look, Mr. President, I’m being crushed by debt.  And I’m completely wiped out.”  And I had to tell him, “Donald, I can’t help you.”  (Laughter.)  “There’s nothing I can do for you.”  (Laughter.)

     Look, Trump is in trouble, and he knows it.  And after bragging about his reasons why Roe v. Wade was overturned and he was the reason for it, he now wants voters to h- — not hold him accountable for all the cruelty and chaos it’s created. 

     And I have news for Trump: The voters aren’t forgetting.  They’re going to hold him accountable.

     Trump did a long interview, if you’ve seen it, in TIME Magazine.  If you haven’t, I urge you to get it.  Not a joke. 

     He — his own words.  He said, “States should monitor women’s pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans.”

     Monitor women’s pregnancies?  That’s just what we need a president doing.

     Look at the chaos.  It’s nothing new for Trump.  His presidency literally was chaos.  It’s ha- — and it seems like a hundred years ago. 

     Trump is trying to make the country forget how dark and unsettling things were during his presidency.  But we’ll never forget.  A million people died.  A million people died because of COVID, and he kept telling people, “Don’t worry.  Nothing to it.  Just inject a little bleach in your arm.”  For real. 

     Well, I wish he had injected a little beach, and we could see what was going on.  (Laughter.)

     But, look, you know — remember his love letters for Kim Jong Y- — Un of North Korea and how he adm- — his admiration for Putin — said he trusted Putin over our own people?

     Here’s what he said in that TIME article, and you really got to get it, because this is about alternatives too.  He may not come out and aid an ally in Asia or in Europe if he thinks they haven’t paid enough for their own defense.  That’s a great message to send.

     As the press — national press is with me today, they’ve heard me say it before.  Some of them have been with me at these international organizations I attend — the G7, the G20, all these various — where I meet with other heads of state. 

     They literally — they literally come up to me as I’m leaving and say, “He can’t win.  He can’t win.  My” — meaning their country’s — “democracy is at stake.”

     Look how far we’ve come: 15 million new jobs.  No president has ever created that many jobs in one term ever in American history.  More people have health insurance today than ever before in the history of the country.  Millions of people didn’t have it before.  And we’re going to expand that.

     We took on Big Pharma — Big Pharma to lower prescription drug costs.  How many people do you know who need insulin for their diabetes?  They were paying roughly 400 bucks a month.  Now they don’t have to pay more than $35 a month.  And they’re still making a good profit with that. 

     And, look, we’re — it not only saves lives; it saves the co- — the taxpayer $160 billion — $160 billion because the federal government doesn’t have to pay out these exorbitant prices.

     And so, look, I’m so proud of the new report released by the 20 major climate organizations, from the Sierra Club to the Sunrise Movement, crediting our administration with taking more than 300 related climate actions — conservation, public health, clean energy.

     In their words — it sounds — I feel guilty mentioning — reading this — “Biden does more to take action and protect, restore, and secure health and the environment than any president in American history, and he’s not done yet.” 

     We’re not done yet.  We’re on the verge of being able to do so much more.  We’re just finally breaking through.  We’re breaking through on the ability to deal with agriculture and all the — anyway.

     We’ve made the most significant investment in American hi- — in science, technology — I need not tell you in Silicon Valley any of this — in generations.  And so many of you are leading the way.

     We’ve already attracted off the sidelines $866 billion — $866 billion in private investment in clean energy, advanced manufacturing — historic amounts in such a short period of time.  And we’re just getting started.

     We — I mean, we’re really — I know you — probably, it’s the only place in the country that fully appreciate it.  We’re just getting started.

     I signed the most significant gun safety law in 30 years.  And, by the way, although she’s not around to help me this time, Dianne Feinstein and I passed the Assault Weapons Ban.  We’re going to pass it again.  (Applause.)

     Look, I could go on.  The point is we’re lowering costs, expanding opportunities, and protecting freedom.  But it literally is all at stake.  I’m not going to take too much of your time.

     Trump is still determined, in his words, to, quote, “terminate” the Affordable Care Act.  That will kick millions of people off of healthcare because it’s the only way they can get — if you have a preexisting condition, it’s the only means by which you can get insurance. 

     He’s determined to get rid of the climate law.  We’re spending $368 billion on climate, more than ever spent in the entire history of the world.  And we’re just getting started.  Why?  Because — and he’s — he wants to make sure that he gets — he says, if I’m not elected, he’s going to eliminate it. 

     Did you see what he just said?  You saw it on television, also out of his — his TIME Magazine article.  He said to the major cor- — oil executives — he told Big Oil — he said, “‘Raise me a billion dollars,’ and I said, ‘That would be a hell of a deal for you’”  — make a deal.  And then he goes on and says he has one objective if he’s reelected: Drill, drill, drill.

     Look, folks, during his presidency, he exploded the federal deficit more than any president did in a — one term.  He racked up more federal debt than any previous president in history.

     He’s determined to cut Social Security and Medicare.  We’re going to have to deal with it, but we can do that by everybody beginning to pay their fair share.  In his own words, he said, “There’s a lot you can do in terms of cutting.”  And he plans on doing it. 

     The nonpartisan [Congressional] Budget Office just released a study showing his plans that all — that the House of Representatives’ Republicans passed as well, what they’re going to do in a — if they take control next time — it would cost $5 trillion over the next decade.  It’s fiscally reckless — $5 trillion.

     Folks, there’s so — so much at stake.  I — I know you know all this, so I should shush up. 

     But after months of bipartisan negotiations, I proposed the strongest border bill ever, a comprehensive immigration reform — in decades — a bipartisan bill that would require us to hire 1,500 more security agents and officers at the border; 100 more immigration judges to tackle the backload of 2 million cases — there’s a backload of 2 million cases; 4,300 asylum officers and new policies so they can resolve cases in six months instead of six years and to get decisions faster. 

     When they do that, no one is going to pay a — a cowboy to take them across the border for 8,000 bucks, knowing they’re going to be sent home in six — six weeks [months].

     A hundred more high-tech detection machines.  We know how we can deal with fentanyl coming into the country and the biproducts.       It’s just stupid what they did. 

     And, by the way, that group that put it together was led by a very — one of the most conservative members of the Congress in the United States Senate from Oklahoma.  But the majority of the House and Senate support this bill, but politics derailed it.

     Trump was on the phone, I’m told — and I have the national press here, so they — they’ve heard it too; they can write whether they think I’m telling the truth or not.  Trump was on the phone calling members of the House and the Senate saying, “Don’t bring that bill up.  Don’t pass that border bill.” 

     Why?  “Because it’ll make Biden look like a winner.  It would be a political win for Biden.  Don’t do it.”

     Now, his ability to threaten people or have an impact on the Congress is amazing to me.  And guess what?  They backed off, even though the vast majority support it.

     But he’s wrong.  It’d be an enormous win for America.

     We’re a nation of immigrants.  That’s why this bipartisan bill also includes fair and humane immigrant reform — immigration reform in decades — the most significant.  It includes a pathway for citizenship for DREAMers and so much more.

     And, by the way, I’m proud that my administration just announced that DREAMers are finally able to get healthcare under the Affordable Care Act.       Look, folks, the idea these DREAMers are somehow — you know, you’re five years old, mom says, “Let’s cross the Rio Grande,” and you say, “No, Mom, leave me here.  I’m going to be okay” — it’s ridiculous.

     And, by the way, it’s one of the reasons why our economy is growing.  We’re not xenophobic.  We’re able to grow the economy because we have workers coming in.  We have farmworkers and other workers, and it’s real. 

     And the governor is doing an incredible job, by the way.  No, he really is. 

     And, by the way, AMLO said — I told him what was going on down at the border in Southern California.  It slowed down from 10 million people — I mean, excuse me, 500,000 people to 50,000 people. 

     I mean, there’s a lot — there’s a lot — I don’t want to bore you, but there’s a lot we can do and are doing.

     Meanwhile, in the TIME interview, Trump vowed to use the U.S. military to round up — get the military out there, going through America, round up the 11 million Americans who are waiting for their determination of what’s going to happen in their — because they’re waiting now five, six, seven years to be — longer to be able to have their hearings whether they can stay.

     And he — he — and I just wonder how people feel when he calls our immigrants “rapists” and “murderers.”  He says, quote, “They’re not people.”  The rest of the world hears this, by the way.  He says immigrants “poison the blood of America” — of our country.

     Folks, that’s not who we are.  That’s not America.  And we — and it really hurts us around the world, not in terms of immigration but in terms of what kind of people we are.

     Folks, the biggest threat Trump poses is to our democracy.

     You know, again, in that TIME article, he says, “A lot of people liked it when I said I’ll be a dictator for one day.”  Well, I don’t like it, because I know he means it. 

     Asked if he thought violence would occur if he lost, Trump says, “Well, it depends.”  Then asked if he’d recognize — he’d recognize the outcome of this next election, he said if he’s not re- — not reelected, and he said no.

     He calls the insurrectionists who are in prison — he calls them “patriots.”  He says, if reelected, he wants “every one” of them — he’ll free them, pardon them.

     Trump says, if he loses again in November, there’ll be a “bloodbath.”  I mean, this is a president of the United States of America, for God’s sake.

     (Referring to Representative Eshoo.)  Oh, I didn’t see you, Congresswoman.  I — I apologize.  I didn’t —

     REPRESENTATIVE ESHOO:  That’s all right.

     THE PRESIDENT:  By the way, she’s one of the best in the country.  (Applause.)

     He says he’s not going to accept the results of the election when he loses again.  You can’t only love your country when you win. 

     MAGA candidates auditioning to be his vice president are saying they would not accept the results, either.  I don’t know what it is.  I mean, something is going on.  It’s like they’re drinking some Kool-Aid.

     Look, let me close with this.  What’s at risk in 2024 are our freedoms and our democracy.  I know we can do this if we work together.  I really do. 

     We’re the only country in the world that’s come out of every crisis stronger than we went into the crisis — every one. 

     I’ve never been more optimistic about our future.  We have to remember who we are, for God’s sake.  We’re the United States of America.  There is nothing beyond our capacity when we work together.

     And I know I get criticized, in the light of all he’s doing, to say we got to work together.  But we have to work together because I don’t — this is not your father’s Republican Party.  This is a different breed of cat. 

     The MAGA Republicans make up somewhere between 30 and 35 percent of the Republican Party.  They have a hammer on the rest of the party.  But it’s not who we are. 

     I’ve always been — I’ve been in the Senate a long time before this job.  And some of the most impressive men and women I’ve worked with are the Republicans.  But it’s not there anymore.  It’s got to change.  It’s got to change.

     So, with your help, not only will you help me get elected, but hopefully we’ll elect a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate, and we’ll get a lot done. 

     Thank you.  (Applause.)

     And, by the way, thank these girls for getting all dressed up.  (Laughter.)  They’re all (inaudible), and this good-looking guy. 

     By the way, I made a prom- — I made him give me a promise: If he or his sister ended up being president of the United States and they say, “Joe Biden is out in the waiting room,” promise me you won’t say, “Joe who?”  (Laughter.)

     Really, folks, thank you.  I know there’s a lot at stake.  I really (inaudible). 

     As I said, every time I’ve run in the past — and I was a senator for 36 years and vice president for 8 years — I’ve always wanted to win.  But I’ve never before felt that it was an obligation — an obligation to win.  We’ve got to get this done.  There’s too much at stake.

     So, thank you, thank you, thank you.

                                                2:45 P.M. PDT

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What did Trump say? Explaining the former president's favorite talking points

Danielle Kurtzleben

Franco Ordoñez

Former President Donald Trump has long made headlines with controversial comments about everything from immigration to trade, but translating those talking points isn't always easy. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

Former President Donald Trump has long made headlines with controversial comments about everything from immigration to trade, but translating those talking points isn't always easy.

Former President Donald Trump has a history of using provocative language to draw headlines, stir up support and attack enemies.

His words, at times, have been his greatest weapons but also his biggest vulnerability.

In recent weeks, he has described Nov. 5, Election Day, as "liberation day" for "hardworking Americans" and "judgment day" for his political enemies. He has called undocumented immigrants who commit crimes "not people" and has claimed Jews who vote for Democrats hate Israel.

It's not easy trying to make sense of what often appears to be indiscriminate attacks on migrants and political enemies, but Trump knows how to generate headlines, excite his base and provoke the left simultaneously.

NPR poll: Democrats fear fascism, and Republicans worry about a lack of values

He has described political correctness as a cancer that prevents honest discussion. He says that people are too easily offended and that the country doesn't have time to worry so much about others' feelings.

His language is also a political weapon — and a very effective one — to use against his enemies. It's a tool that stokes his base and baits one of his favorite foils, the media.

NPR examined Trump's campaign speeches, interviews and social media posts since he held his first rally last year in March, as well as additional relevant comments in recent years, to provide context to how his language reflects his political agenda. Here are a few of his most common talking points:

The U.S.-Mexico border

A second trump term, reshaping the federal government, foreign policy, trade and tariffs, trans issues.

Nowhere has the former president pushed the boundaries of appropriate language more than on the issue of immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border.

He has described migrants as poisoning the blood of the country and calling those who commit crimes "animals."

This demonization of migrants is not new. It has been a pillar of his political career ever since he announced his presidential campaign in 2015 and called Mexican immigrants rapists, bringing drugs and crime, while also saying that some are "good people."

The border has now become one of the fieriest political issues ahead of the November elections as both sides, Democrats and Republicans, have been pointing fingers at the other to cast blame for a myriad of problems.

It's a clear vulnerability for President Biden and the Democrats.

Consider This from NPR

With a second term, trump would take his immigration crackdown further.

Biden has struggled with historic numbers of people coming across the border. It's not just Republicans who are concerned. An increasing number of Democratic mayors and governors have raised real concerns about the drain of state and local resources in cities hundreds of miles from the border.

In a recent NPR/ PBS NewsHour /Marist poll , only 29% of respondents said they approve of how Biden is handling immigration. Republicans win the issue over Democrats by 12 percentage points when asked which party handles it better.

Critics say Trump is capitalizing on those concerns by playing up anti-immigrant sentiments.

While there is little evidence that undocumented immigrants commit more crimes than U.S.-born citizens, Trump and his supporters use anecdotal stories, such as the killing of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley , to paint an ominous picture about America being overrun by violent migrants.

During speeches in Michigan and Wisconsin, Trump accused Biden of creating a "border bloodbath."

"This is country-changing, it's country-threatening, and it's country-wrecking," Trump said in Michigan. "They have wrecked our country."

What Trump has said:

"They're poisoning the blood of our country. That's what they've done. They poison — mental institutions and prisons all over the world. Not just in South America. Not just the three or four countries that we think about. But all over the world they're coming into our country — from Africa, from Asia, all over the world. They're pouring into our country." —Dec. 16, 2023, New Hampshire rally "They're rough people, in many cases from jails, prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums. You know, insane asylums — that's Silence of the Lambs stuff." —March 4, 2024, interview with Right Side Broadcasting Network "Hannibal Lecter, anybody know Hannibal Lecter? We don't want 'em in this country." —March 4, 2024, interview with Right Side Broadcasting Network

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, salutes at a campaign rally on March 16 in Vandalia, Ohio. Jeff Dean/AP hide caption

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, salutes at a campaign rally on March 16 in Vandalia, Ohio.

Trump has been accused of using autocratic language in this campaign that echoes rhetoric of strongman leaders of the past.

Rather than rejecting those comparisons, Trump has been wielding them as a means to stoke his base, stir up media attention and, in some ways, win back former supporters.

One example is when he sparked the anger and indignation of his many critics after declaring he wouldn't be a dictator, "except for Day 1," said Chris Stirewalt, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

He says you could see a flash in Trump's eyes when Fox News host Sean Hannity provided Trump an opportunity to assure voters he wouldn't abuse his power.

Trump may get another chance to be president. He's planning an aggressive second term

The NPR Politics Podcast

Trump plans a more radical second term.

"He realizes he's got a live one on the line, right?" explained Stirewalt, who is also the political editor for NewsNation. "He has the moment where he knows that the person who he's talking to wants him to say the right thing. And he knows that the advantage comes in saying the wrong thing."

Trump responded "only on Day 1," so that he could close the border and start drilling.

"After that, I'm not a dictator, OK?" Trump quipped to Hannity as the crowd in Iowa applauded.

Those fiery remarks set off a chain reaction of events and coverage. The media dissected the language, often repeating the dictator-for-a-day comments, and Trump's supporters came out in mass, largely on conservative outlets, attacking the media for, they argued, taking the comments out of context.

Stirewalt says Trump also triggered what he called "the anti-anti-Trump immune response," which means Trump reengaged former supporters, who may have felt he went too far on Jan. 6, 2021, and/or objected to his authoritarian tendencies, to come to his defense.

"What you get is the volleying back and forth between platoons on the left and the right," Stirewalt said. "Some of it's sincere — some of it's rage, content for clicks and attention. And by the time you're done, you have strength. Trump has managed to both inflame and distract his opponents, but also to further consolidate Republican support."

"This guy turned out to be a Woke train wreck who, if the Fake News reporting is correct, was actually dealing with China to give them a heads up on the thinking of the President of the United States. This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!" —Sept. 22, 2023, Truth Social , referring to Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff "Your victory will be our ultimate vindication, your liberty will be our ultimate reward, and the unprecedented success of the United States of America will be my ultimate and absolute revenge." —Feb. 24, 2024, Trump's speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference "We're going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and you're not going to be able to sell those guys if I get elected. Now, if I don't get elected, it's going to be a blood bath for the whole — that's gonna be the least of it. It's going to be a blood bath for the country. That'll be the least of it." —March 16, 2024, Dayton, Ohio

During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump described himself as a "proud political dissident" and promised "judgment day" for political opponents.

He has vowed to "root out" political opponents whom he has described as "vermin," echoing the language of authoritarian leaders who rose to power in Germany and Italy in the 1930s.

"The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within," Trump said during a Veterans Day rally in New Hampshire.

The former president faces four different criminal trials related to allegations of interference in the 2020 election, fraud stemming from a hush money payment to an adult film star and mishandling of classified documents.

He has repeatedly claimed the prosecutions are a political witch hunt, and he has cast himself as a martyr who is being targeted by Democrats.

Trump allies craft plans to give him unprecedented power if he wins the White House

George Lakoff, a professor emeritus of linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, says Trump often uses salesman tricks to frame a debate on his own terms. He knows how to use repetition to strengthen association.

He repeats phrases over and over on the campaign trail and on social media, such as fake news or that he's going to obliterate "the deep state." Those descriptions, right or wrong, are then repeated by others, such as the media in its coverage. They're repeated again as opponents attack him over the use of such words.

"There is a neural reason for this," Lakoff said. "The main thing is, if it's in your brain and it's activating the neural system, whatever is activating your neural system, then your brain makes it stronger."

Trump has sought to employ the prosecutions against him to justify his own calls to overhaul the "deep state," including those longtime federal lawyers who make up the Justice Department, as well as other federal agencies that he argues are politically biased against him.

He and his allies have begun to draft plans to overhaul the Justice Department as well as expand his presidential powers by ending protections for tens of thousands of federal employees so that they can be replaced with partisan loyalists.

"We pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and cheat on elections." —Nov. 11, 2023, New Hampshire "The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within. Our threat is from within." —Nov. 11, 2023, New Hampshire "In 2016, I declared I am your voice. Today, I add, I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution." —March 25, 2023, Waco, Texas "Either the deep state destroys America, or we destroy the deep state." —March 25, 2023, Waco, Texas

During a winter campaign rally, Trump said he told a NATO leader that he would encourage Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to countries that were "delinquent" and had not paid bills they "owed" the NATO alliance.

Trump says he wouldn't defend NATO allies from Russia if they're 'delinquent'

Republicans play cleanup on aisle Trump after former president's NATO comments

His remarks set off a firestorm domestically and internationally, as Congress remains locked in a stalemate over whether to provide Ukraine with additional military assistance so that it can defend itself from the invasion by Russia.

As president, Trump sought to largely pull the United States out of foreign conflicts. But that hasn't stopped him from making bold claims about the current armed conflicts raging in Europe and the Middle East.

He has repeatedly insisted that those conflicts are related to Biden's election.

"Look what happened to our country," Trump said at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "You have wars that never would have taken place. Russia would have never attacked Ukraine. Israel would have never been attacked. You wouldn't have had inflation."

If elected in November, Trump has vowed that both conflicts would be resolved fast. He has said he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours but has provided no details.

"There's a very easy negotiation to take place. But I don't want to tell you what it is because then I can't use that negotiation — it'll never work," Trump told Fox's Hannity last year. "But it's a very easy negotiation to take place. I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them."

Stirewalt says the secret to Trump talking about foreign policy is making it sound so easy and simple — even the most incredibly complex problems of the day — and people believe him.

"The authoritarian tendency in politics, not just in the United States but anywhere, is to say that there is a simple and easy answer," Stirewalt said. "But the bad people will not let you obtain it because they're weak — or they're corrupt."

Meanwhile, Trump has pressured lawmakers on Capitol Hill to oppose billions of dollars in additional aid for Ukraine. He has also seemed to go out of his way to avoid criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump's approach to the war in Gaza has been a little more nuanced.

Then-President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a ceremony in 2017 in Jerusalem. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

Then-President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a ceremony in 2017 in Jerusalem.

While they worked closely together during his administration, Trump was angry when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Biden after winning the 2020 presidential election.

He at first criticized Netanyahu for being unprepared for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people, and he complimented the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah when it stepped up attacks against Israel.

While he has since pledged strong support for Israel, Trump has also called on Netanyahu to end the war and has warned that Israel was losing the PR war.

"What I said very plainly is get it over with, and let's get back to peace and stop killing people," Trump told The Hugh Hewitt Show . "And that's a very simple statement. Get it over with. They've got to finish what they finish. They have to get it done. Get it over with, and get it over with fast, because we have to, you have to get back to normalcy and peace."

Time magazine: You think you could work better with [Israeli politician] Benny Gantz than [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu in a second term? Trump: I think Benny Gantz is good, but I'm not prepared to say that. I haven't spoken to him about it. But you have some very good people that I've gotten to know in Israel that could do a good job. Time : Do you think — Trump: And I will say this: Bibi Netanyahu rightfully has been criticized for what took place on October 7. — Interview with Time magazine , published April 30, 2024 "You didn't pay? You're delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills." —Feb. 10, 2024, rally in Conway, South Carolina "You know, Hezbollah is very smart. They're all very smart." —Oct. 11, 2023, speech in West Palm Beach, Florida "Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion. They hate everything about Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves." —interview with former Trump administration senior adviser Sebastian Gorka on March 18, 2023

Anti-abortion activists march outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2022. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

Anti-abortion activists march outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2022.

Trump's abortion stances are all about politics. He has repeatedly changed his positions over the years — in 2016, he told MSNBC's Chris Matthews during a town hall that if abortion were outlawed, "there has to be some form of punishment" for women seeking abortions. He later retracted that statement.

As president, he supported a 20-week federal abortion ban, pushing the Senate to pass it. He also repeatedly took credit for the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade . But by the time of the 2024 presidential campaign — when Roe was overturned, meaning a federal ban would be possible — his position on a federal ban was unclear.

Notably, he went the entire Republican primary without clarifying his stance on abortion, instead saying he would bring together both sides — abortion-rights supporters and abortion-rights opponents — and negotiate a compromise policy.

When he has spoken about abortion policy during this year's campaign, he has often stressed one point in particular: that he wants to win.

He said exactly that again when he made an abortion policy announcement on April 8. In that announcement, he said that he wants states to make their own policies and that he supports exceptions to protect a mother's life, as well as for pregnancies caused by incest or rape. He later added, "But we must win. We have to win."

Trump backed a federal abortion ban as president. Now, he says he wouldn't sign one

Why anti-abortion advocates are reviving a 19th century sexual purity law

Trump is attempting to walk a careful line on abortion. On the one hand, he wants to maintain the favor of the abortion-rights opponents who have long been the Republican base. But on the other hand, he understands that most Americans are not abortion hard-liners and that tight restrictions have proved unpopular in several statewide elections.

In addition, he has not taken a position on sweeping abortion restrictions proposed in Project 2025 — a road map for a conservative presidency written by a coalition of right-wing groups. Those restrictions include curtailing access to abortion pills, as well as using the Comstock Act — a 19th-century law intended to stop indecency — to prohibit the mailing of any goods used in abortions.

Time magazine: Are you comfortable if states decide to punish women who access abortions after the procedure is banned? Trump: Are you talking about number of weeks? Time : Yeah. Let's say there's a 15-week ban — Trump: Again, that's going to be — I don't have to be comfortable or uncomfortable. The states are going to make that decision. The states are going to have to be comfortable or uncomfortable, not me. — Interview with Time magazine , published April 30, 2024 "The states will determine [their abortion policies] by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state. Many states will be different. Many will have a different number of weeks, or some will have more conservative than others. ... Always go by your heart. But we must win. We have to win." —April 8, 2024, Truth Social "The number of weeks, now, people are agreeing on 15, and I'm thinking in terms of that, and it'll come out to something that's very reasonable. But people are really, even hard-liners, are agreeing, seems to be 15 weeks, seems to be a number that people are agreeing at. But I'll make that announcement at the appropriate time." — Sid & Friends in the Morning , WABC, March 19, 2024 Trump: People are starting to think of 15 weeks. That seems to be a number that people are talking about right now. Kristen Welker: Would you sign that? Trump: I would sit down with both sides and negotiate something, and we'll end up with peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years. I'm not going to say I would or I wouldn't. Trump: Both sides will come together. And for the first time in 52 years, you'll have an issue that we can put behind us at the federal level. It could be state or it could be federal. I don't frankly care. — Meet the Press , NBC , Sept. 16, 2023 "I support the three exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. And I think it's very hard politically if you don't support, but you have to go with your heart. You have to go with what you believe, and you have to rely on your heart for that." —speech to the Concerned Women for America, Sept. 15, 2023 "After 50 years of failure, with nobody coming even close, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the 'shock' of everyone." —May 17, 2023, Truth Social "It wasn't my fault that the Republicans didn't live up to expectations in the MidTerms. ... It was the 'abortion issue,' poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters." —Jan. 1, 2023, Truth Social "I call upon the Senate to pass this important law and send it to my desk for signing," referring to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have banned abortions nationwide after 20 weeks of gestation. —Jan. 19, 2018, March for Life "The answer is, there has to be some form of punishment." —March 30, 2016, MSNBC town hall

What Trump hasn't said:

Trump refused to answer whether a fetus has constitutional rights in that September 2023 Meet the Press interview. In addition, Trump has not weighed in on the main abortion proposals included in Project 2025. One proposal calls on the Food and Drug Administration to roll back rules making abortion pills more available or to even rescind approval of the pills altogether. The other proposal calls for invoking the Comstock Act , an anti-indecency law, to halt the mailing or transporting of any goods used in providing abortions. That move would greatly restrict abortions, even in states where abortion is legal. NPR asked Trump's campaign what his position is on the Comstock Act. The campaign wouldn't answer directly.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a visit to a family farm in Leighton, Iowa, on Oct. 1, 2023. Charlie Neibergall/AP hide caption

Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a visit to a family farm in Leighton, Iowa, on Oct. 1, 2023.

Trump is unfailingly strident in how he talks about trade, proposing policies that are deeply protectionist. His communication about that protectionism is central to his political persona — he uses trade as a way to telegraph that he is business savvy, not to mention that he is tough and wants the U.S. to not get "ripped off."

This involves suggesting tariff levels that are unheard of in modern U.S. trade policy. During this election cycle, Trump has reportedly discussed tariffs of 60% and, in one speech, of 100%.

There is also a full Trump presidential term of trade policy to observe. As president, Trump started a trade war with China. He also imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, with the rationale that those tariffs were in the interest of national security because they increased U.S. self-reliance for defense supplies. The right-leaning Tax Foundation , estimates that while Trump's tariffs did create revenue, they will also cost nearly 170,000 jobs in the long run. Their research also found that the Biden administration kept many of Trump's tariffs in place.

In his discussions of trade throughout his political career, however, Trump has at times exhibited indifference to, or even a lack of understanding of, how trade works. For example, he has talked about trade deficits as if they are indications that a country is losing money. He also has cast bilateral trade deals as superior to multilateral deals. Most trade experts disagree with that take . Furthermore, while he casts tariffs as beneficial for Americans, tariffs also often end up raising prices for American consumers. Finally, he often talks about trade deals as policies with winners and losers, when the goal of trade deals is to allow all parties to benefit.

It is also worth noting that while Trump's trade policy is aimed at protecting American industry, it is also deeply concerned with domestic politics — it's a way to court votes, particularly in industrial states.

"I think when companies come in and they dump their products in the United States, they should pay automatically. Let's say a 10% tax. That money would be used to pay off debt." —Interview on Fox Business , Aug. 18, 2023 "It is the policy of my Administration to represent the American people and their financial well-being in all negot[i]ations, particularly the American worker, and to create fair and economically beneficial trade deals that serve their interests. Additionally, in order to ensure these outcomes, it is the intention of my Administration to deal directly with individual countries on a one-on-one (or bilateral) basis in negotiating future trade deals." — Presidential Memorandum Regarding Withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Agreement , Jan. 23, 2017 "Trade wars are good, and easy to win." — Twitter , March 2, 2018 "This is not merely an economic disaster, but it's a security disaster. We want to build our ships, we want to build our planes, we want to build our military equipment with steel, with aluminum from our country. And now we're finally taking action to correct this long-overdue problem." — speech at White House , March 8, 2018 "Every time I see a weak politician asking to stop Trade talks or the use of Tariffs to counter unfair Tariffs, I wonder, what can they be thinking? Are we just going to continue and let our farmers and country get ripped off? Lost $817 Billion on Trade last year. No weakness!" —Twitter, July 25, 2018

Transgender issues weren't a major national issue in 2016 they way they are now. Similarly, Trump in 2016 was neither as vocal about nor as stridently opposed to transgender rights. When the topic did come up in a 2016 Today show segment, he said he wanted people to use whatever bathrooms they wanted.

But as president, Trump took several actions to curb transgender rights — excluding transgender individuals from the military, allowing health care professionals to discriminate against them and allowing homeless shelters to exclude them.

And as transgender issues have become central to political culture wars — and as anti-transgender activists have increasingly focused their attention on transgender kids — Trump has become increasingly vocal about the topic as well. He refers to gender-affirming care for minors as "mutilation" and regularly says in his stump speech that transgender girls shouldn't play girls' sports — one of his most reliable applause lines.

Often, he wraps transgender issues in with school vaccine and mask mandates, as well as the teaching of what opponents call "critical race theory," as a way of packaging these social issues as educational policy.

"On Day 1, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity or other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children. I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate. And as I very embarrassingly said before, I will keep men out of women's sports." —April 13, 2024, rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania "On Day 1, I will revoke Joe Biden's cruel policies on so-called gender affirming care. ... I will sign a new executive order instructing every federal agency to cease all programs that promote the concept of sex and gender transition at any age. ... My Department of Education will inform states and school districts that if any teacher or school officials suggest to a child that they could be trapped in the wrong body, they will be faced with severe consequences, including potential civil rights violations for sex discrimination." —Jan. 31, 2023, video originally posted on Truth Social, listing an array of anti-transgender policies that Trump would pursue as president Trump: Leave it the way it is. North Carolina, what they're going through with all of the business that's leaving and all of the strife — and that's on both sides — you leave it the way it is. There have been very few complaints the way it is. People go. They use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble. And the problem with what happened in North Carolina is the strife and the economic — I mean, the economic punishment that they're taking. ... Matt Lauer: So if Caitlyn Jenner were to walk into Trump Tower and want to use the bathroom, you would be fine with her using any bathroom she chooses? Trump: That is correct. —April 21, 2016, NBC's Today "The Departments believe that, in this context, there must be due regard for the primary role of the States and local school districts in establishing educational policy. In these circumstances, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice have decided to withdraw and rescind the above-referenced guidance documents in order to further and more completely consider the legal issues involved." —Feb. 22, 2017, letter from Trump administration Education and Justice department officials, referring to rescinding Obama-era rules that allowed students to use bathrooms and facilities based on their gender identity "After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow ... Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming ... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail." —July 26, 2017, Twitter (three tweets: 1 , 2 , 3 ) "We're going back to the plain meaning of those terms, which is based on biological sex." —Trump official Roger Severino of the Department of Health and Human Services, May 24, 2019, on a proposed (and later finalized) rule ending Obama-era protections for transgender people against discrimination in health care "The proposed rule permits Shelter Providers to consider a range of factors in making such determinations, including privacy, safety, practical concerns, religious beliefs, any relevant considerations under civil rights and nondiscrimination authorities, the individual's sex as reflected in official government documents, as well as the gender which a person identifies with." —July 1, 2020, proposed Department of Housing and Urban Development rule allowing single-sex shelters to turn people away based on their gender identity

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Afghanistan floods devastate villages, killing 315

Flash floods caused by heavy rains have devastated villages in northern Afghanistan, killing 315 people and injuring more than 1,600, authorities said on Sunday, as villagers buried their dead and aid agencies warned of widening havoc.

Mexico's ruling party presidential candidate slips, says outgoing leader led by 'personal ambition'

Mexico’s ruling party presidential candidate slipped up during a campaign speech Friday and said President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was motivated by “personal ambition,” but later acknowledged the phrase could have been misinterpreted

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s ruling party presidential candidate slipped up during a campaign speech Friday and said President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was motivated by “personal ambition,” but later acknowledged the phrase “could be misinterpreted.” In Mexico it is used to describe a desire for personal economic gain.

Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum holds a comfortable polling lead ahead of the June 2 elections and has sought to link her candidacy to López Obrador, who founded their Morena party. He is by far the more popular of the two politicians, and Sheinbaum has pledged to follow his policies.

So it was all the more surprising when she said Friday that “we are not going to reach the presidency like Andrés Manuel López Obrador did, out of personal ambition.”

She later corrected herself, posting a statement on her social media accounts saying: “Upon finishing my speech in Baja California Sur, a colleague told me there was a phrase that could be misinterpreted ... It’s obvious President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has transformed our country without personal ambitions.”

López Obrador, while in many ways autocratic, prides himself on his austere lifestyle and often describes rivals scornfully as “vulgar people with ambitions.”

Sheinbaum’s closest rival, opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez, interpreted the former Mexico City mayor’s remarks as a Freudian slip.

“The candidate of lies was finally betrayed by her subconscious, and finally admitted that they only act out of personal ambition,” Gálvez wrote.

Gálvez has herself misspoke at times, including in April when she suggested that anyone who didn’t own a house by the age of 60 was bad at managing money. Gálvez later said the comment was directed only at Sheinbaum, who prides herself on living in a rental apartment and had criticized the opposition candidate for owning a home.

Jorge Alvarez Máynez, who is running a distant third in the race, also apologized for posting a video in which he appeared to have been drinking and criticizing electoral authorities.