The process of one getting an administrative position is not such an easy task. It requires one to have the power of persuasion to win over the votes. More so, the campaign for the presidential position in America has been faced with many biases. Although the legal requirements for attaining the official positions never change since the presidential office was handed to the first president, Washington, people formed negative perceptions that discouraged or discredited others who sought the position of presidency (Library of Congress). The common most issues were religion, the color of skin, whether one had served as a military, and religious perspectives. However, these biases are put behind if the candidate was persuasive enough for voters
The conditions were not different for John f. Kennedy and Bill Clinton, who faced challenges in their campaigning for the presidency. The two were common in that one had religion views unacceptable, and the other had never served in the armed forces. They had a tough time in their campaign periods as they tried to prove to the voters their worth of presidency. In addressing this rhetorical problem of trying to show the people they were qualified, and fit to occupy the position just like any other campaigner, they came up with strategies that made them stand out.
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For President John Kennedy, he was the first catholic to campaign for the American presidency (paragraph 9). Due to the previous history, Americans had to endure so much suffering and some faced deaths from the Roman Empire. They experienced this grief since all people were required to become Catholics, and no other religious practices were accepted. American forefathers had died as they fled from the Roman Empire and came to America and fought for the ‘Bill of Rights,’ which assured all people of the freedom to different religious views (paragraph 13). However, most people even some opponent attacked his political career based on his beliefs since they feared favor to and intolerable interferences from the Catholics
President Bill Clinton was the first to vie for the chief-commander position without serving as a veteran. All the other presidents before him had participated in the war. For example, President Bush, who was an invitee at the same conference, had bragged of winning the cold war (paragraph 5). Bill Clinton was to break the long chain of military presidents as well as appeal to the veterans as qualified and deserving of the position. Since he had no military experience, he had only joined the American legions some years back and had involved himself in support programs to support veterans. He also was known for opposing the war in Vietnam, for he thought it was a wrong move by the government.
They were both truthful. John Kennedy openly spoke out about his believes. During his campaign, he delivered a speech to the association of Houston Ministerial; it was clear that he had no intention of abandoning his religious views. Kennedy told them not to base their votes on religious values since America was free from all religious obstacles and that he was not going to be a president for the catholic but a president who happened to be a catholic (paragraph 17). He made them understand that the oath of office and constitution of the states would guide him, not the religious views. Bill Clinton also disclosed his lack of military experience and opposition to the war in Vietnam (Paragraph 17&18). He still held on to the fact that the war was wrong, but he acknowledged his respect for all those who fought the war. He urged the people that his lack of military experience will not refrain him from defending the country when elected president.
They both earned sympathy for themselves. John Kennedy told the people with great emphasis and pain that no catholic had been elected president since they looked at the religious aspect and not the person’s deeds. He stated that he believed in America where the church and politics were to separate things that in no way could they interfere with each other. Kennedy also mentioned discrediting one because of religious views is unfair since religion is personal and unrelated to the matters of state (paragraph 9). Besides, he reminded them of the freedom of worship available to the country. Kennedy emphasized that all people are equal, and whichever religion they choose should not discredit them from the presidency. Bill Clinton narrated the story of his late father, who had died a veteran. He also mentioned that the legions had made him who he was. Clinton told them of the programs to rescue and assist veterans in his hometown. He further touched on the needs of his audience by mentioning their dire requirements to a good economic and health assurances before and after retirement (paragraph 58). Just like john Kennedy whom he quotes, that voters should concentrate on the real issues, not religion and service that gives privileges to the few.
How these two men deal with the issues which would have been an obstacle to attaining presidency shows great strength in persuasion. They use the people’s feelings and practicality of issues to will their trust. Through these strategies, they attain the objective of making themselves worthy and qualified as future presidents. However, they fail to mention the inclusive goals of the whole nation. For example, Clinton talks about improving the lives of veterans, and all his programs revolve around military and no mention of the other citizens. Kennedy, on the other hand, concentrates on attacking his attackers on issues of faith, forgetting to bring his main agenda of proving legible for the presidency.
Refereces
Governor Bill Clinton. "Address to the American Legion Convention." 25 Aug. 1992, Chicago, Illinois. Speech.
John F. Kennedy. "Campaign Speech to the Houston Ministerial Association." 12 Sept. 1960, Speech.
Library of Congress. (n.d.). Requirements for the president of the United States . Retrieved July 31, 2020, from https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/elections/requirements-for-president.html
