Kennedy also specifically directed his words to the leaders of the Soviet Union, alternating between vowing that America would bear any burden to advance the cause of freedom, yet noting that both 'enemies' have a mutual interest in limiting the arms race and preserving peace. "We dare not tempt them with weakness…But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course." Kennedy's address to unseen 'listeners' in other nations was an obvious reflection of the power of the United States -- he presumed the whole world is watching and listening to what an new American president was saying. However, addressing an unseen listener was also an indirect statement to those who were present, such as the Republican politicians like Kennedy's rival for the presidency, Richard Nixon. Nixon tried to seem strong on communism to get elected. Thus Kennedy hawkishly affirmed his Administration's anti-communist commitment, in response to potential critics.

Kennedy portrayed America as a youthful, strong nation, just as he tried to communicate a youthful image of himself as a strong president. Kennedy continually appealed to the need to begin anew, both in terms of the relationship with the Soviet Union and America's allies abroad, as well as the commitment America had make to advance the cause of humanity. Science was often invoked in the speech, but not in an adversarial manner, despite the looming specter of Sputnik: "Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead...

Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce."
Kennedy's use of repetition and parallel language is perhaps what most people remember best of this speech. As well as repeating "To our…" in his direct addresses, he also repeated "Let us…" in his list of aspirations for the world community. As well as asserting American uniqueness, Kennedy appealed to a sense of collective world identity for many ambitious projects, some of which seem unrealistically broad, such as the total eradication of disease, exploring the stars and depths of the ocean, and creating a world where might does not make right.

Kennedy was the first president to effectively use television in his campaign for the presidency, as manifested in his mastery over President Nixon the presidential debates. His speech, full of rhetorical flourishes and poetry, echoed much older polemics in its use of technique. The speech is more of series of assertions than an argument based upon calculated logic. However, because of the strength of its imagery and the power of its messages of inspiration, it is considered one of the greatest and most effective inauguration addresses ever delivered.

Work Cited

Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States. Washington, D.C.: U.S.G.P.O.: for sale by the Supt. Of Docs., U.S.G.P.O., 1989; Bartleby.com, 2001. http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres56.html [31 May 2011].