Calderon 1

Maria Calderon
Professor Bevill
English 1302.02
16 September 2016
Together We Can Change America
The competitive feud to win the citizen vote has been continuous between Democrats and
Republicans. During the Ronald Reagan presidency years in the 1980s Americas national debt
tripled. Which gave the Democrats a reason out of many to obtain the winning number of votes;
in hopes of preventing another inadequate leader. On July 19, 1988, before the presidential
election, Texas democratic governor, Ann Richards gave a speech at the DNC- (Democratic
National Convention)-. Ann Richards was known for supporting women and minority rights.
Richards speech Keynote Address, aimed to convince citizens to vote for a leader that would lift
America from the injustices of the Republicans. Despite the use of emotional examples, the
listing of the Republican injustices and reasoning about future generations the Keynote Address
was unable to attract the majority of voters to help Democrats win presidency.
The majority of voters at the DNC support Democrats and hold similar thoughts with
Richards speech. In the beginning of the speech, Richards expresses her belief about women
rights with the use of a sarcastic tone. The objective was to capture not only the attention of
women but from everyone with the intention of letting the public know that what Richards is
going to say is important. By being a spokesperson for woman rights, Ann Richards knows
womens struggle to get their voice out. Parents are the main focus of the Keynote Address.
Richard exclaims throughout her speech about the future generations to come. Richards believes
that parents hold the power to vote for a promising future.

Calderon 2
By addressing minority conflicts as well as her own, Richards aims to convince the
public by making them appeal to emotion. Ann Richards uses an example of a struggling mom
because Richards believes that the voter should see the troubles a parent and a minority is going
through. I think maybe were too tired. I believe that people like us are forgotten in America
Richards uses the quote from the mom to let the audience know the struggles the mom has to
face due to not having the voice to express her problems. Richard states that Republicans are not
honest since instead of blaming themselves they decide to blame the people and thus making it
seem as if parents are the ones that need to improve. They told working mothers its all their
fault- their families are falling apart because they had to go to work Parents can easily relate to
the struggles the mother mentioned in Richards speech. Richards speech sets a feeling of identity
The telling of a joke at the beginning of the speech sets the speech casual. The public can easily
understand Keynote Address due to Richards setting a friendly and ordinary environment.
Richards uses true facts about the injustices of Republicans to convince the voter that
voting for Republicans is not a good idea. By focusing on the opponents weaknesses Richards
strategy is logical. Richards goal is to fill the minds of the voter with doubt in the Republicans.
Ann Richards mentions that Republicans should not be trusted because they are telling [the
public] one thing on TV and doing something entirely different Ann Richards then proceeds by
giving an example of that the Republican president Ronal Reagan is saying that America is
fighting a war against terrorist but they are selling weapons to Iran. Ann Richards uses
examples such as these in her speech to let Americans reflect on the leaders that they voted.
Richards speech uses pathos to support her opinions against the Republicans. Richards use of
facts provides her standing with more reliability.

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Richards speech persuades the voter into thinking about their future generations. By
talking about the future generations Richards uses this strategy so the public can realize that the
Democrats are the ones that they should vote for. Ann Richards gives examples of Democratic
leaders that should be voted on. Also Richards speech mentions that Democrats are committed
to a strong America This says a lot about the Democrats because Richards wants to let the voter
know that Democrats will keep America strong and will not let no foreign enemy to bring
America down. By using her own examples Ann Richards hopes to capture the attention of
parents and grandparents as well as all grownups by talking about the future generations. Future
generations need to have a better life opinions Richards.
Ann Richards speech was memorable but failed to get the Democratic vote. At the time of
the speech. Hopes were risen and American voters felt identified. However, it can be assumed
that despite the negative things the Republics have been doing. The positive things won. Today
we know that George Bush won and late on his son won. Ann Richards speech needed more
reasons to vote for the Democrats. Because she focused on the weaknesses and things the
Republicans failed to achieve. Richards forgot to focus more on the reasons why Democrats want
to change America for the best.
Ann Richards delivered an eye opening speech to let Americans know the struggles of
their fellow citizens. The Keynote Address called attention the factors that needed to be
prevented from the next leader of the United States. In todays society Richards speech is
remembered for the actions that she did to the minority of Texas. Despite the strength and
relativeness of Richards speech, the Democrat ended with less votes and thus another Republican
came to be president