Compare and Contrast Essay: Richard Nixon vs. Gerald Ford’s Speeches

Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford’s speeches have the goal of pushing Americans to stay united in the time of the Watergate Scandal. Richard Nixon’s “Address Announcing Resignation” Nixon talks about him deciding to resign his duties as president, with his speech Nixon uses pathos to garner sympathy. On the other hand Gerald Ford’s “Address to the Nation Pardoning Richard Nixon” uses ethos and pathos to show that Americans need to be united. Both speeches work together to get the message across that they should heal the nation’s wounds, and move forward as a nation. 

Richard Nixon’s “Address Announcing Resignation” goes over Nixon’s thoughts on resignation and uses pathos to garner sympathy. From the start of the speech Nixon talks about how in all the decisions he has made in his public life he always put the Nation first and tried to do what was best for the Nation. He then goes on to talk about how a big role in his decision was that he dosen’t have support from Congress anymore. “But the interest of the nation must always come before any personal considerations.”, Nixon says after saying he would of preferred to stay in office. Nixon brings up the fact he has never been a quitter and that leaving office goes against his instinct but he must put America first. He believes that putting himself before the nation and continuing to fight this would take time away from both the president and Congress, “To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication would almost totally absorb the time and attention of the President and Congress”. After he talks about his Vice President, soon to be president, and calls the nation to allow Gerald Ford to run the country peacefully even though America is in a difficult spot. Nixon’s speech lets Americans know how he feel about resigning and also tells Americans to move on and stick together as a nation. 

Gerald Ford’s “Address to the Nation Pardoning Richard Nixon” uses a lot of ethos and pathos to show that America needs to stick together. At the beginning of the speech Ford says that he is sworn to uphold our laws and that he must respect his predecessor, Richard Nixon. Ford then goes on to talk about how this is a tragedy in which everyone has played a part and that serious accusations hang of Nixon’s head, “But it is common knowledge that serious allegations and accusations hang like a sword over our former President’s head”. Ford then says that after years of national debate Nixon would have to wait years to get a fair trial under Supreme Court. “I deeply believe in equal justice for all Americans, whatever their station or former station.”, Ford says to show that no matter what he believes in equal justice for all Americans including Nixon. Ford goes on to say that he feels Nixon would get held accountable for his actions and that everyone should move on. Ford’s speech shows Americans how he feels about Nixon’s resignation and that Americans should move on and stick together. 

Richard Nixon’s “Address Announcing Resignation” and Gerald Ford’s “Address to the Nation Pardoning Richard Nixon” both show their feelings towards Richard Nixon’s resignation of his duties as president. With this Richard Nixon uses pathos to garner sympathy and Gerald Ford uses pathos and ethos to show that Americans need to stick together and move on.