State of the Union Address 2010

As the preceding one, this speech was also delivered to the common session of the US Congress in Capitol. Yet the speeches differ from one another in a few aspects.

The first one is just the matter of the transcript; the record of the State of the Union of 2010 contains even the records of the audience's reactions such as an applause or laughter. However, as the source is retrieved from the Internet sites which goal is to bring all Obama`s speeches together and thus it may be expected that they are administered by his supporters, it is not probably only the coincidence that the transcripts notes just the signs of approval and no disapproval.

The second aspect of difference deals with the overall tone of the speech. To understand it, it must be remembered that it was proclaimed at the time when Obama had been just the first year in his office; he had thus made some steps that he needed to advocate; moreover, it was also the election year to the Senate and therefore a greater publicity was an important and desirable goal that he wanted to gain. The tone of the speech is thus more entertaining and full of direct persuasion, urges, encouragements and it is also more amusing, although the passages focusing on deep analysis of the contemporary situation and the necessary changes and reforms in the future are quite extensive as well.

Obama is beginning the speech again with direct greeting, this time he does not forget even to the audience that may watch him on TV. The state of the union`s addresses are traditionally televised and this has affected their style – they tend to be less formal and more entertaining. Persuading the whole nations seems to be of similar importance as providing facts to convince the senate. On one hand, it is not something extraordinary that should be stressed out, on the other hand, as it has been explained this influenced especially the fact that it was before the election to the Senate and that Obama wanted to speak to all citizens more than the year before. The speech then follows by shifting the attention again to the past and stressing the glory and authority that United States deserves. This passage may seem to be superfluous in terms of informative value; on the other side, to emphasize the tradition of such evaluative speeches of the Union which appear not only in peace times but also during the wars could raise the importance of this particular speech and everything what will be presented in it.

Only then, the speech continues with the recapitulation of all significant steps that had been made during previous year and after that with the steps that would be desirable to implement to the recent US system. Yet the speech tries to offer concrete details it is beside this full of clichйs and declarative phrases, e.g.: " Again we are tested. And again, we must answer history's call“. Except this, in some passages, Obama supports his suggestions by repetition of such clichйs, for instance, in: " Now let me repeat: We cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95 per cent of working families. (Applause.) We cut taxes for small businesses. We cut taxes for first time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college. (Applause.) I thought I'd get some applause on that one. (Laughter and applause.)" No doubt, such approach belongs to the key oral performances that may gain more popularity not only in the masses of the supporters in the hall (who drew it out) but also in the mass of the wider audience.

The pressure of hard times and the approaching Senate election contribute with a high degree of probability not only to the effort to highlight the steps during the Democratic Party's government, but also to openly promote the steps that will only become true in the future. The speech thus posses features that resemble electioneering e.g.: " So tonight, I'm proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat. (Applause.) I'm also proposing a new small business tax credit / one that will go over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. (Applause.) While we're at it, let's also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment and provide a tax incentive for all large businesses and all small businesses to invest in new plants and equipment. (Applause.)" Again, the delivered statements are followed by conventional manifestation of agreement of the audience in the hall. Together with the fact the promises are attractive and pleasing the speech may be perceived as highly persuasive. On the other hand, it cannot be denied that even though the speech may be considered as such, it also tries to bring together some concrete facts and details and thus may be considered to be a bit informative as well.