Addresses Quote by Peggy Noonan
![“[On President Clinton's address:] It was the worst inaugural address of our lifetime, and I think the only controversy will be between those who say it was completely and utterly banal and those who say, 'Well, not completely and utterly.” quote by Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cff/peggy-noonan-4902_addresses_on-president-clinton-s-address-it-was-th_1467698.jpg)
“[On President Clinton's address:] It was the worst inaugural address of our lifetime, and I think the only controversy will be between those who say it was completely and utterly banal and those who say, 'Well, not completely and utterly.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion Column: The Wall Street Journal, 1997
The inaugural speech was seen as either completely banal or not entirely so, highlighting subjective judgments of political rhetoric.
In simple terms: People disagree on the speech’s quality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias in evaluating speeches.
Themes
politics
communication
subjectivity
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- political debates
- media criticism
- public speaking
Key Concepts
rhetorical analysis
public perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria define a successful address?
- How do personal biases affect political judgments?
A Different Perspective
Labeling speech as “worst” may ignore nuanced content.
![“I think [there's] the opportunity for - I almost said President Clinton, and soon I will - but for Hillary Clinton to address that, and for the public sphere to address that in a way that they haven't. We started a conversation in the last few years on race that we desperately needed to have.” quote by Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f5d/joss-whedon-480_addresses_i-think-there-s-the-opportunity-for-i-al_866181.jpg)
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
