The Speech That Made Barack Obama President
President Barack Obama gave one of his finest speeches before he was even president. In 2004 he delivered the keynote address for the Democratic National Convention. He was speaking on behalf of John Kerry who was the Democratic candidate running against George Bush in 2004. As we all know John Kerry did not win that election. However, I believe Barack Obama used BJ Fogg's behavioral change model so well with this speech that if he had been running for president in 2004 chances are he would have won. The majority of people did not know who Obama was before this speech. This is the speech that made people say 'who is this guy?'
Although, a Democrat did not win the presidential election in 2004, there were many factors playing into that, but this speech was not one of those reasons.
Motivation
Obama used the anticipation of hope. He also offers acceptance in his speech. He uses repetition stating that it does not matter whether one is a democrat, republican, Black, White, Hispanic, or Asian we are still the United States of America and we are one, as in a whole. He states that it does not matter what your background is or what occupation you have we are still one united nation. Obama not only makes people feel accepted and part of this country, but he gets them to accept that there is hope for everyone. He also gets them to accept that it is possible for both side of congress to work together as one. On a sensory level the crowd is definitely pleased.
Ability
Obama keeps motivation high which keeps a person's ability to believe in hope, and in the country high. This can be seen during the 2008 election when Obama is running for president on his campaign for change. Obama motivated this crowd enough that even four years prior to him winning the presidency the majority of people did not know who he was. This motivation gave the country the belief that they did have the ability to create a change four years after the speech was given.
Triggers
Obama uses many triggers in this speech to show people they have the ability and get them to act. Some of those triggers are letting people know that they have a place in America, and that great things can happen. He gets Americans to recognize that this country is still great and it is the people who make it that way. Motivation, ability, and triggers must be used together in creating a change. Barack Obama uses all three of these things throughout his speech, simultaneously. According to Fogg "Without a Trigger, the target behavior will not happen. Sometimes a Trigger can be external, like an alarm sounding." I believe this speech was like an alarm sounding to this audience which would cause them to act.
Wow....what a young Barack. I had never heard this before and I learned much about who Barack is. I like your analysis about how compelling his speech is for hope and belief in America. He certainly gives power to the people by promoting the vote which really is a simple call to action as Fogg would agree. He reaches a targeted middle class by triggering their real life challenges as something that government should respect. He sells that the hope is in working together to make this Country better. Now I connect the dots with the whole Secretary of State position.... duhhh.
ReplyDeleteYou picked a great speech to analyze as you can see from my own post.
ReplyDeleteI felt that this speech fit the Fogg model very well. He hit all of the elements necessary for motivation. I did not see your analysis of process premise. I would like to see what you say about those.
I did like your description of the triggers. You seemed to understand this part of Fogg's concept very well.
Did you like the stories of his family? How do you think these led to his success?
Just a few questions. Keep up the good work.
President Obama is a very skilled speaker. This is a very good example of meeeting all of the parts of Fogg's Model. He has such a great ability to trigger belonging and emotion with the audience, not democrat. Not republican. But American. He speaks of what we wish for, one nation under god...that all men are created equal, and so on. I feel like in this moment many people felt they could relate to him, the middle class, something perhaps was lacking in previous presidencies.
ReplyDeleteI agree this is a very eloquent speech that hits all the points that we are being taught. A very good example.
ReplyDeleteI remember well watching and listening to this in 2004. Persuasive skill and charisma aside, there were indications then of character and competency as well that I felt would put him into the presidential light. Great speech.
ReplyDelete