On Nixon: War

Richard Nixon was elected president on the platform that he would deescalate the Vietnam War. However, when he was elected president, he did just the opposite. He expanded the war by ordering American troops and planes into previously neutral Cambodia. Over the next couple years, the total tonnage of bombs dropped on Cambodia would exceed the entire tonnage dropped by all the Allies during all of World War II. Nixon gives this speech in justification of his hypocrisy.
From the beginning, Nixon’s speech abounds with ethos. He quickly establishes his reputation and credibility by stating that he plans on withdrawing 150,000 troops from Vietnam sometime in the future. He goes on to state that he can not withdraw the troops at the time because doing so would endanger the lives of the remaining troops. He points to a map of Vietnam in justification. He says that his actions will likely demolish any chance of a second term but that the lives of 400,000 American far outweigh any political aspirations.
Nixon then does something quite brilliant. He redefines the war in Vietnam as a war of politics into a war of ethics. The war in Vietnam ceases to be a war about containing communism and morphs into a war to save “18 million South Vietnamese who have put their trust in us.” He goes on to say that “it is not our power, but our will and character that is being tested tonight.”
Despite the outwardly pure appearance of Nixon’s speech, Americans see through the veil and see the heart of the matter: that Nixon lied. Protests become increasingly fervent and eventually lead to confrontations with the military that leave half a dozen dead at Kent State University and Jackson State University. Eventually Nixon relents, and starts withdrawing troops. Nixon’s speech fails in realigning the hearts of Americans.

Submitted by Kenzan Tanabe