Answer:
Point of view: Nixon’s point of view is that he is innocent of the charges against him.
Reasoning: Nixon argues that the independent audit and his honor and integrity in other areas of his life show his innocence.
Evidence: Nixon cites the evidence of the audit. He does not offer much other evidence that is relevant to the accusations.
Rhetorical Strategies
Ethos: Nixon gives his audience several reasons to trust him and he stresses the fact that he came from a modest background:
I will have to start early, I was born in 1913. Our family was one of modest circumstances, and most of my early life was spent in a store out in East Whittier. It was a grocery store, one of those family enterprises.
The only reason we were able to make it go was because my mother and dad had five boys, and we all worked in the store. I worked my way through college, and, to a great extent, through law school. And then in 1940, probably the best thing that ever happened to me happened. I married Pat who is sitting over here.
We had a rather difficult time after we were married, like so many of the young couples who might be listening to us. I practiced law. She continued to teach school.
Pathos: In his speech, Nixon uses emotional appeal by referencing his family and his family’s dog, Checkers. These references are meant to stir emotions in the audience.
It was a little cocker spaniel dog, in a crate that he had sent all the way from Texas, black and white, spotted, and our little girl Tricia, the six year old, named it Checkers.
And you know, the kids, like all kids, loved the dog, and I just want to say this, right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we are going to keep it.
Logos: Nixon attempts to use the findings of the audit by an outside company to show that he has done nothing wrong.
Let me say, incidentally, that some of you may say, "Well, that is all right, Senator, that is your explanation, but have you got any proof?" And I would like to tell you this evening that just an hour ago we received an independent audit of this entire fund.
Logical Fallacies
Red Herring: Nixon describes his wife’s work as an auditor. This has little relevance to the topic at hand and is intended to distract his audience.
My wife's sitting over here. She's a wonderful stenographer. She used to teach stenography and she used to teach shorthand in high school. That was when I met her. And I can tell you folks that she's worked many hours at night and many hours on Saturdays and Sundays in my office, and she's done a fine job, and I am proud to say tonight that in the six years I've been in the House and the Senate of the United States, Pat Nixon has never been on the Government pay roll.
Straw Man: Nixon characterizes those criticizing him as problematic in order to advance his own argument.
Now, the usual political thing to do when charges are made against you is to either ignore them or to deny them without giving details. I believe we have had enough of that in the United States, particularly with the present administration in Washington D.C.
Explanation:
