Reagan used his speaking ability to explain the important policies of his administration. Speaking directly to the American people as a "citizen-president," Reagan delivered addresses that conveyed hisviews of national security, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), economic policies, and the nation's war on drugs. Delivered with a sincerity uncharacteristic of the stereotypical politician, Reagan's speeches profoundly influenced the nation's confidence not only in themselves, but also in the President's own ideologies and leadership abilities.
One of Reagan's first speeches as President,
this speech on economic recovery, delivered on April 28, 1981, outlines
Reagan's plans for the nation's fiscal programs.
President Reagan's brief comments on the
anniversary of the Strategic Defense Initiative.
Reagan's televised address on national
security of March 23, 1983 is best known for its proposal of the Star Wars
program.
The Reagans often appeared together in
public, but on the evening of September 14, 1986, they spoke together on
national television to combat the war against drugs.
The most important addresses made by the President of the United States include his inaugural address(es) and annual State of the Union addresses. Ronald Reagan utilized these opportunities to introduce his administration's goals and influence the direction toward which he believed America should move.
Reagan's First Inaugural Address, delivered
to the American public January 20, 1981.
Reagan's first State of the Union address
repeated and elaborated upon his message of reform.
Although he was inaugurated on January 20,
1985, as per the Constitution, the ceremonies were preempted by Super
Bowl Sunday. Reagan re-enacted the inauguration and all the ceremonies,
including delivering his second inaugural address, on January 21 for a
national audience.
Ronald Reagan also led the nation through some of its most challenging
times in recent history, including the explosion of the space shuttle
Reagan's remarks after Korean Air Flight 007
was shot down in Soviet airspace on September 5, 1983.
Reagan's remarks after
the April 18, 1983 terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
Reagan's initial televised remarks on the night
of the Challenger disaster, January 28,1986.
Reagan's eulogies for the Challenger
Seven at Johnson Space Center on January 31,1986.
The Iran-Contra
speech represents an anomaly for Ronald Reagan's
rhetoric. Despite Reagan's best efforts, the polls indicated that his
popularity continued to fall. Reagan's skills as a "great communicator"
failed when the content of his message did not coincide with the
President's particualr ideological beliefs.
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