Political Speeches

Dave!

Hey folks,

I was just watching JFK's inaugural speech on YouTube and reading along (y'know, like most people do in their spare time ) and thought I'd post here and see if I could hear what you lot's favourite speeches are from politicians.

I'm also trying to find out who are various politicians' speechwriters. I'll have a snoop around the Taoiseach's website for information.

That'd be an interesting job! Not necessarily in the department of the Taoiseach, but speechwriting in general.

So do ye have any favourites in history or in recent years?

marco murphy

''I am the only socialist left'' speech by Bertie

dato_007

For me its got to be the “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King . I put the audio on my ipod and listened to it last week (sad I know J ) …. It’s not just the speech it’s the way he delivers it.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

brianthebard

dato_007 wrote:

For me its got to be the “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King . I put the audio on my ipod and listened to it last week (sad I know J ) …. It’s not just the speech it’s the way he delivers it.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Absolutely, an amazing moment in history, it is very hard to explain how that speech makes me feel, its almost catharsis. When I hear the speech it renews my hope for mankind, if only for a few moments. I should listen to it every day. *goes to download it*

dato_007

Also one to note is Padraig Pearse , Its not the best writing in the world , but it gets the message across ...

"They think that they have purchased half of us and intimidated the other half. They think that they have foreseen everything, think that they have provided against everything; but the fools, the fools, the fools! - they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace."

daithimac

Bobby Kennedys Rippels of Hope speech he made in South Africa is a standout speech that does not get the attention it deserves.

Enoch Powells Rivers of blood speech is a good blueprint to see how to pull on peoples heart strings.

I have to say though that Kennedys Inugration address has to be one of the standout speechs that i would listen to regularly. I Especially love the Religious references such as " we must adhere to the command of Issia and undo the heavy burden and let the oppressed go Free" and " here on earth Gods work must trully be our own"

dato_007

Kennedys Inugration address is a great speech . Never read the Enoch Powells Rivers of blood speech . I must take a look. thanks.