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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
Prez addressing US citizens
Hello, recently I was watching a CBS clip on Youtube, and I was somewhat surprised because President Obama started his speech by saying"Hi, Everybody!" I've been living in the US for some time and consider myself to be reasonably culturally literate now, but
"Hi Everybody"sounded quite casual, when heard from a US president addressing all citizens. Please understand I am not criticizing him for being too light. On the contrary I thought probably it was a positive thing. My question is, when did it become OK for a President to start his speech this casually?? I am totally positive FDR never spoke that way on radio, nor Nixon/Kennedy.
I vaguely feel Bill Clinton could have talked like that when he appeared on Letterman's show, etc. (and played the sax), but never when he was addressing US citizens... What do you think? Is Obama the first president to address American people like this publicly? If so, what is causing this? I am sure the advent of Internet is definitely a factor.. In the future, will the president speak like, "Hiya, folks!!" or something?
"Hi Everybody"sounded quite casual, when heard from a US president addressing all citizens. Please understand I am not criticizing him for being too light. On the contrary I thought probably it was a positive thing. My question is, when did it become OK for a President to start his speech this casually?? I am totally positive FDR never spoke that way on radio, nor Nixon/Kennedy.
I vaguely feel Bill Clinton could have talked like that when he appeared on Letterman's show, etc. (and played the sax), but never when he was addressing US citizens... What do you think? Is Obama the first president to address American people like this publicly? If so, what is causing this? I am sure the advent of Internet is definitely a factor.. In the future, will the president speak like, "Hiya, folks!!" or something?
Top answer
Anonymous "Hi Everybody"sounded quite casual, Yes. I suspect. however.
- Anonymous "Hi Everybody"sounded quite casual, Yes.
- I suspect.
- however.
- , the press corps, not the US citizenry.
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4 Answers
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Anonymous"Hi Everybody"sounded quite casual,Yes. I suspect. however. that he was addressing, e.g., the press corps, not the US citizenry.
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That's very true. But he is well aware that his explanation (forgot what it was about) would be watched by millions in real time,
making the distinction a little gray, I felt.
making the distinction a little gray, I felt.
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Anonymousmaking the distinction a little gray, I felt.Not at all. He is addressing the press corps and their questions. He is not addressing the American people.
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AnonymousPresident Obama started his speech by saying"Hi, Everybody!"https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address
It is not a formal speech.
President Obama begins every one of his weekly addresses (3-5 minutes long, on o
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