The 1970’s was a controversial time in American history, and the Vietnam conflict was no exception. President, Richard Nixon, in his Cambodian Incursion address, speaks to the American people, and the world about developing situations in Southeast Asia. His intentions are to explain the actions of the North Vietnamese, describe the actions he ordered to counter them, and to give reason for why he is justified in his course of action. Nixon adopts a stern tone in his address to show the world that what the North Vietnamese is doing will not be tolerated, and that his course of action is logical and is in the best interest of not only South Vietnam and the United States, but of Cambodia as well. Nixon begins his address by referencing his report
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“I have rejected all political considerations in making this decision. Whether my party gains in November is nothing compared to the lives of 400,000 brave American fighting for our country and for the cause of peace and freedom in Vietnam” (6). With that statement Nixon shows the American people that his personal gains are not on his agenda, instead the lives of American troops are, just as those lives are on the minds of every American citizen. By doing this he sympathizes with Americans making his actions seem genuine to the American people.
While closing his speech, Nixon breaks tradition by not asking for the president 's support (as presidents do when concluding a speech from the white house), instead, he asks for the “support for our brave men fighting halfway around the world” (6). In doing so he shows humility, and reminds the American people again that it is not about him, but about peace and American lives.
Through his address Richard Nixon successfully elaborates on the actions of North Vietnam, counter actions being taken by the United States, and why these counter actions were necessary. He conveys to America and the world that the United States will not back away from any threat made to our country or its people. Although, in the end he was not completely successful in convincing the citizens to back him. All they wanted was the withdrawal of the troop from Vietnam without any more
“I have rejected all political considerations in making this decision. Whether my party gains in November is nothing compared to the lives of 400,000 brave American fighting for our country and for the cause of peace and freedom in Vietnam” (6). With that statement Nixon shows the American people that his personal gains are not on his agenda, instead the lives of American troops are, just as those lives are on the minds of every American citizen. By doing this he sympathizes with Americans making his actions seem genuine to the American people.
While closing his speech, Nixon breaks tradition by not asking for the president 's support (as presidents do when concluding a speech from the white house), instead, he asks for the “support for our brave men fighting halfway around the world” (6). In doing so he shows humility, and reminds the American people again that it is not about him, but about peace and American lives.
Through his address Richard Nixon successfully elaborates on the actions of North Vietnam, counter actions being taken by the United States, and why these counter actions were necessary. He conveys to America and the world that the United States will not back away from any threat made to our country or its people. Although, in the end he was not completely successful in convincing the citizens to back him. All they wanted was the withdrawal of the troop from Vietnam without any more