President Obama's Address on ISIS

President Obama gave a national address on the evening of September 10, 2014 addressing the actions and his strategy to confront the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The President announced that the United States and its allies will lead a broad coalition in order to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL. A statement was made that 450 troops will be sent into Iraq but, Obama made it very clear that this will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil.

The address was delivered with determination and confidence and was to be received with an understanding reassuring tone that President Obama is taking action. President Obama was able to maintain a serious tone throughout the entire address, stressing the most important issues, such as the safety of the country the safety of the troops. When talking about the risky issues that could occur he would use reassuring language, pauses in his speech, and necessary hand gestures, to capture to audiences attention and then say statements such as; “This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.”

In my opinion, the most effective part of the address was when he outlined the steps of his plan. It gave the “average” American a sense of reassurance that we are not declaring war, but that there is a devised plan that is taking place over time. The President also, mentions how this movement is about leadership and that this is “American Leadership at it’s best”. Incorporating how this is the 13th anniversary for 9/11 and how we are still a nation who stands for freedom made this not just any other speech, but one that President Obama and Americans feel more passionate about.  

The media truth that stood out to be most effective to me was Truth 1: The media are essential components of our lives. The President used media to effectively deliver his message over a broadcast on television, but also live streamed on the internet as well as discussions to follow up. People were able to follow along with information via Twitter or CNN on the phones and stay plugged into everything that was being said even without watching the live address. The forms of media that the President used ensured that a large audience would be able to partake in viewing the address, making it most effective.