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George W. Bush Bullhorn Address to Ground Zero Rescue Workers delivered 14 September 2001, NYC, New York
[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio.] President Bush: Thank you all. I want you all to know -- it [bullhorn] can't go any louder -- I want you all to know that American today, American today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizensRescue Worker: I can't hear you! President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!
Rescue Workers: [Chanting] U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! President Bush: The nation -- The nation sends its love and compassion -- Rescue Worker: God bless America! President Bush: -- to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for makin' the nation proud, and may God bless America. Rescue Workers: [Chanting] U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
Image (Bottom( Source: http://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu Image #2 (Enhanced Screenshot) Source: Archive.gov Video Source: Archive.gov Video Note: AI Upscaled from 360p to 720p and Frame Interpolated from 30fps to 50fps
Commentary by David
McDowell: "The power of
rhetoric is dramatically demonstrated...as people immediately
saw a charismatic quality in Bush that hadn't really been
evident.... especially the moment when Bush touches the raw
nerve of the crowd. At the moment he says "I can hear you," he
seems to ignite patriotic passions in the hearts of the
onlookers, kick-starting an outpouring of emotion. Seizing the
moment, Bush repeats the phrase and then expands on it, rising
to a climax as he vows revenge against the perpetrators. That
sparks off a frenzy of baying from the crowd. Interestingly,
someone in the crowd yells "God bless America!" and Bush quickly
echoes it back to the crowd, signifying a two-way flow - a bond
- between him and the crowd."
Page Updated: 2/8/24 U.S. Copyright Status: This Text, Video, Image #2 = Property of AmericanRhetoric.com. Audio and Image #2 = Public domain. |
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