When the President of the United States directly addresses the American people, it is always a significant event. President Franklin Delano Rooseveldt had his famous radio addresses to the American people both in the reconstruction of the economy after the Great Depression and during World War II. When Senator Richard Nixon was running with Presidential-candidate Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, and was accused of illegal use of campaign contributions, he masterfully spoke directly to the American people in his "Checker's Speech"--so named because he spoke live on television with a crackling fire in the background and his dog, Checkers, at his side. President John F. Kennedy's eloquent oratorical style enchanted the American people and made his speeches memorable.

President George W. Bush has used the direct approach very effectively, both while standing on the rubble of the fallen Twin Towers after the 9/11 terrorist attack, and declaring victory on the deck of an aircraft carrier after the collapse of the Hussein regime in Iraq. Presidents have tremendous resources at their disposal to ensure that these important events provide the best possible context and most persuasive approach. These elements of persuasion date all the way back to Aristotle's logos, pathos, and ethos. It's prudent for the American people to go beyond the address itself and consider opposing views and engage in some level of rhetorical analysis.

A Transcript of President Bush's 10 January 2007 Iraq speech is available from the sources like the NEW YORK TIMES. The TIMES also provides access to The Democratic Response by Senator Durbin .