President as National Mourner Rebecca Sizelove Laura Kacewicz

1. President as National MournerRebecca SizeloveLaura Kacewicz “My fellow Americans, a tree takes a long time to grow, and wounds take a long time to heal. But we must begin. Those who are lost now belong to God. Some day we will be with them. But until that happens, their legacy must be our lives” –William Jefferson Clinton

2. Importance of a Presidential Response • The American people look to the President for guidance in a time of tragedy • It has become a part of their duty and to neglect this duty reflects poorly on the President “President throughout American history have offered soothing words to comfort Americans, and their ability to do so ably is a mark of distinction.” –Steve Holland

3. An American Expectation

4. Expression of Grief/Identification • Identifying with the audience • Family references • Shared pain/Your pain is my pain • Regret of circumstances • Lack of adequate words “All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You are not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you.” George W. Bush, Columbia Tragedy

5. National Community • National loss/The collective nation is mourning • References to America and the importance of National unity • The President is representing the American people • “I profoundly hope that the tragedy and the torment of these terrible days will bind us together in new fellowship, making us one people in our hour of sorrow.” Johnson, on the death of President Kennedy 1963 • “Today our Nation is mourning along with you. We know we share this pain with all the people in this country. It is truly a national loss.”- Reagan, Challenger Tragedy 1986

6. Local Community • Commends the local community for their response, bravery, character. • “If anyone thinks Americans have lost the capacity for love and caring and courage, they ought to come to Oklahoma.” –Clinton, Oklahoma City Bombing 1995 • “I think most Americans have looked at you and thought that, among other things, that, God forbid, if something like this should ever happen to us, I hope we would behave as well. I hope we would also hold on to our faith as well.” –Clinton, Columbine Tragedy 1999

7. Religious References • References to God, blessing us and watching over us • Prayer for victims, families, and America • Quotation from Bible “In His infinite wisdom Almighty God has seen fit to take from us a great man who loved and who was beloved by all humanity.” –Truman on FDR’s death

8. Importance of Continuity • We are strong and we will persevere • Reassurance that we will get through it/ we are not broken • We will move on and continue our way of life “Today in this moment of new resolve I would say to all my fellow Americans, let us continue.” –Johnson “We must carry on. Our departed leader never looked backward. He looked forward and moved forward. That is what he would want us to do. That is what America will do.”- Truman upon the death of FDR, 1945

9. Creates Heroes/Eulogizes • Embellishes the accomplishments and character of the fallen “The greatest leader of our time has been struck down by the foulest deed of our time.” –Johnson on Kennedy’s death

10. Remembrance • Stresses that we will always remember those who have died. • Renewed dedication to their cause/legacy • Johnson refers to Kennedy’s policy/legislation “Today John Fitzgerald Kennedy lives on in the immortal words and works that he left behind. He lives on in the mind and memories of mankind. He lives on in the hearts of his countrymen.” –Johnson

11. Positive Spin • President attempts to create a positive outcome “every cloud has a silver lining” • Explains the lessons learned as a result of the tragedy • Tries to paint an optimistic view of the future