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A Path to Redemption, Built Out of Words

On September 11
th
, 1998, Bill Clinton had his back up against the wall. Clinton,
President of the United States, leader of the Free World, and preeminent representative of the
American people, had been caught having sex with an intern who was decidedly not his wife. To
add insult to the injury, the romantic encounters took place in the holy of holies of American
politics, the Oval Office. Clinton denied in the affair; he looked the American people straight in
the eye and said I did not have sexual relations with that woman. (Clinton). And yet, Clinton
most certainly did have sexual relations. That woman even had a semen-stained blue dress to
prove it. Clinton was in a tight spot, and he would need an adroit public relations campaign to
salvage the final two years of his Presidency. The issue was complicated by Clintons opposing
goals; Clinton had to ask the American people for forgiveness, while at the same time
maintaining the image of a strong leader. In his Prayer Breakfast Speech, Clinton managed to
balance these competing aims by rebuilding his reputation with ethos, religious language, and
plans for change, while simultaneously interweaving assertions of continued strength in order to
avoid paralyzing political weakness.
In order to rebuild his ethos with the American public, Clinton starts his speech with an
emphasis on honesty and openness. Almost at the very beginning of his speech, Clinton says I
have sinned (Clinton). After Clintons silence and lies, hearing such a frank admission of
wrongdoing is a salve to the fractured relationship between the President and the American
people. That honesty marks a clear departure from Clintons earlier lies and half-truths,
convincing the American people that Clinton has turned a new leaf. More importantly, the
statement is also deeply personal in nature, which shows the American people that Clinton is
prepared to engage with them on a deeper level than ever before. Indeed, the intimacy of the
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statement I have sinned seems more suited for a confession booth than a speech, which
reinforces the notion of a newfound honesty. One of Clintons greatest public failings had been
his dishonesty following the affair; thus, his openness in this speech is instrumental to correcting
past flaws and rebuilding his ethos.
Clinton also emphasizes honesty throughout the rest of his speech. For example, he
begins by telling the audience that he was up rather late last night thinking about [his speech]
(Clinton). In fact, he actually tried to write it down (Clinton). While seemingly innocuous and
almost irrelevant, Clintons mention of writing his speech highlights a very important point:
Clinton wrote his own speech. These are not the words of a paid speechwriter or a public
relations manager. These are the words of the President himself, and are therefore much more
genuine and personal. Clintons delivery of these lines compliments the point. His voice is thick
and emotional, a tone perfectly suited for the deeply personal revelations and apologies he made.
Additionally, as Bennet attests, Clinton bit his lower lip repeatedly during his remarks, in his
trademark gesture of powerful emotion (Bennet). Clintons display of emotion makes the
speech seem more genuine, and more human. By sharing a deeply personal part of his life with
the audience, Clinton deepens the relationship between them, and creates a feeling of greater
openness. Thus, the candidness of Clintons speech proves that silence and lies are past, and that
Clinton will now be open and honest with the American public. This candidness goes a long way
towards to restoring the publics faith in the President.
However, Clintons lies were not the only factor affecting his image; many were also
deeply upset that a President could have such character flaws as infidelity. In order to address his
audiences concerns, Clinton stresses his recognition of moral failure with the word sinning. A
sin is not a simple, everyday mistake, like failing to keep an appointment or being rude to
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someone. No; sinning signals a moral trespass of the gravest kind. By bringing such strong
language to bear upon his actions, Clinton demonstrates that he understands the severity of his
affair. This unqualified admission of wrongdoing helps quell outrage over Clintons immorality.
Therefore, Clintons acknowledgement of the moral issues at stake helps convince these
constituents that he is still fit to be a representative of the American people as a whole.
Sinned is not the only religious language in the Prayer Breakfast Speech. With
abundant use of religious terms, Clinton emphasizes his focus on matters of morality, which
helps convince his audience that he has learned from his troubles and is now worthy of
forgiveness. During the speech, Clintons immediate audience is composed largely of members
of the clergy, who are very receptive to religious language. When Clinton references his bible
(Clinton) or asks for Gods help to be the person that I want to be (Clinton), he demonstrates
that he understands his moral failings, which addresses one of the clergys main qualms about
the President. Additionally, Clinton shows that he has a new source of moral guidelines: religion.
Before, the President may have been adrift morally, but now the accepted standards of religion
anchor him to what is right. To an audience composed mainly of clergy, this is understandably
appealing. In fact, the clergy appreciated the appeal to religion so much that many believed they
were serving as spiritual guides to a healing sinner (Rosin). Because clergymen are often
leaders in local communities, the opinions of the clergy may subsequently influence the views of
the public as a whole. Therefore, Clinton uses religious language to demonstrate respect for a
higher moral authority, which shows his audience that he is worthy of forgiveness.
New standards, though, are not much good unless followed. Clinton demonstrates his
readiness to make any and all necessary changes by quoting a passage from a Jewish prayer
book. The passage enumerates the many changes that nature undergoes seasonally, such as the
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autumnal migration of birds. Even though men do not change so easily as nature, the passage
says, change is essential; otherwise, we will be trapped forever in yesterdays ways (Clinton).
With the inclusion of this passage, Clinton emphasizes that he is not simply paying lip service to
the idea of change. Instead, he knows that old habits do not disappear without hard work.
Clintons audience, who have now endured nine months of scandal and controversy, are
undoubtedly happy to hear that Clinton will take every necessary step to prevent another such
occurrence. Thus, Clintons demonstration of intent to change completes his request for
forgiveness. He has now demonstrated a new willingness to be honest, which counters his
previous lies. He has shown a respect for morality, and religion, underlining the fact that his
character is not as deeply flawed as many might believe. And, finally, he has proven a
commitment to long-lasting change, which will cement his new honesty and morality. Clinton
has now addressed all of his audiences qualms, and shown that he should be forgiven by the
American public.
Throughout the process of repairing his reputation, Clinton never loses sight of his
second goal; he consistently peppers his speech with subtle assertions about his continued
strength as a leader. For example, Clinton states that he will instruct his lawyers to mount a
vigorous defense (Clinton). At the time, many of Clintons political opponents were mounting
legal attacks against the President, including an independent investigation and eventual
impeachment. Despite an admission of wrongdoing, Clinton refuses to cede to such attacks.
Instead, his lawyers will continue rebutting the legal claims of the opposition. Thus, Clinton will
not concede political victory to his opponents in that respect, which demonstrates his continued
strength. Clinton also attacks the ongoing independent investigation, stating that the bounds of
privacy have been excessively and unwisely invaded (Clinton). By going on the offensive,
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Clinton hopes to discredit the investigation, which currently threatens his ability to lead the
American people. Therefore, Clinton refuses to concede to the legal attacks of his political
opponents, which stresses the fact that he still has political strength.
By combining subtle strength with openness, morality, and plans of change, Clinton
achieves two opposing goals: earning forgiveness, and maintaining strength. The clergymen
attending Clintons speech were certainly convinced. Reverend T.D. Jakes of Dallas, for
example, told the Washington Post that saw the president's speech as a powerful narrative of
redemption (Rosin). Indeed, Rosin praised Clintons speech as effecting a metamorphosis from
moral pariah to moral exemplar (Clinton). Unfortunately for Clinton, his apology might have
come too late to prevent substantive legal action. The Kenneth Starrs investigation had already
released Lewinskys testimony, and Clinton was impeached by the House a few months later.
With the public at least partially on his side, Clinton managed to earn an acquittal from the
resulting Senate charges, and complete what is now regarded as an excellent Presidency. More
importantly, Clinton has regained face with historians and the public. He is widely admired
today, at least among the liberal community, and routinely charges tens of thousands of dollars
of speaking fees. Without his Prayer Breakfast Speech, he might not have all of that today.

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Works Cited
Bennet, James. "Tearful Clinton Tells Group of Clerics, 'I Have Sinned'" New York Times 12
Sept. 1998: n. pag. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
<http://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/091298clinton.html>.
Clinton, Bill. Prayer Breakfast Speech. White House National Prayer Breakfast. White House,
Washington, D.C. 11 September 1998.
Rosin, Hanna. "Prayer Breakfast Sways Ministers." The Washington Post 12 Sept. 1998: n. pag.
Web. 8 Oct. 2013. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/ministers091298.htm>.