Taking the Oath: Ronald W. Reagan (video)

Taking the Oath provides a fascinating 20th Century journey through American history as it was viewed from the unique perspective of the Oval Office. This program includes memorable speeches and notable events that defined the administration of each President. Includes coverage of the last 13 U.S. Presidents who have been filmed since the start of the motion picture age taking the oath of office

In one of my upper level politics classes in college I had to write my semester paper about the presidents. I decided to read all of the president's inaugural addresses. I had to read them all four times. This is what I discovered:

The presidential inaugural address is intended to be more like a thankful sermon, rather than a campaign speech. It gives the best indication of what is on the president's mind at the very beginning of his time in office.

All of the presidents, until Wilson, took Washington's address as their template. Ronald Reagan seemed to follow our early presidents.

Most of the presidents gave a heartfelt thanks to the people for giving them the honor of serving as president. The ones who did not were of course Wilson, FDR, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton and Obama. None of these showed any humility. It was as if they were owed the office.

However, LBJ did thank the people and was interestingly humble.

Lincoln, both times, seemed to be utterly distracted while trying to give a Washington-like address.

Reading Kennedy's address along side the others appeared to be a series of platitudes connected by nothing.

But, the person who made me cry was Pierce, and I don't know why.

It was a very interesting exercise.

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