President Bill Clinton’s Speech on Monica Lewinsky Affair Austin Simons

Speaker- U.S. President Bill Clinton Clinton was born, William Jefferson Blythe III, on August 19th, 1946. His father died three months before his birth. Four years later his mother married Roger Clinton, and this gave him the last name Clinton At this point in Clinton’s career he was in the middle of his last term as President At the age of 53. However his Presidency was in danger of compete failure in the midst of his affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, who was 26 at the time.

Occasion- The Scandal Monica Lewinsky began working at the White House as in intern in June 1995. Her inappropriate relationship with President Bill Clinton allegedly begins in November 1995. In the Summer of 1996, Lewinsky tells Pentagon employee, Linda Tripp of her relationship with Clinton. On December 17th 1997, Paula Jones files sexual harassment charges against Bill Clinton, at this point Lewsinsky denies having a sexual relationship with President Clinton, however Tripp has recordings that say otherwise.

The Scandal continued… On January 26th, 1998, Clinton states that he “did not have a sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky”. Everything went downhill from there and resulted in Bill Clinton giving this speech.

Audience This speech was nationally televised to all of America Clinton directed his speech at the American citizens, his family, and Monica Lewinsky.

Purpose – Move on “Now it is time – in fact, it is past time to move on.” “return our attention to all the challenges and all the promise of the next American century.” “It’s nobody's business but ours” “get on with our national life” “This has gone on too long”

Subject - Regret He states, “I deeply regret that.” “It was wrong.” “I must take complete responsibility” In reading this speech many people might say that the subject was apology. However, Clinton speaks zero words in his speech devoted to apology.

Tone - Shame Bill Clinton speaks in a shameful tone. “by a desire to protect myself from the embarrassment of my own conduct.” “I was also concerned about protecting my family.” “Even presidents have private lives”

Ethos At this time he is President of the United States Although his credibility was severely damaged by this scandal, he is still the President of the United States, so the American people, and much of the world still have trust in him.

Pathos Bill Clinton uses emotions in his speech to convey his message. “I deeply regret that” “embarrassment of my own conduct” “I answered their questions truthfully.”

Anaphora “Responsibility” “I”

My opinion Not very effective. Although he states emotions and feeling in his speech, he is emotionless in his speech He should’ve clearly stated the he was sorry.

Sources https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/williamjclinton http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/resources/lewinsky/timeline / http://zpub.com/un/un-bc-sp1.html