Checkers Speech

The Checkers speech was an address made by United States Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate Richard Nixon on television and radio on September 23, 1952. Senator Nixon had been accused of improprieties relating to a fund established by his backers to reimburse him for his political expenses. With his place on the Republican ticket in doubt, the senator flew to Los Angeles and delivered a half hour television address in which he defended himself, attacked his opponents, and urged the audience to contact the Republican National Committee (RNC) to tell it whether or not he should remain on the ticket. During the speech, he stated that regardless of what anyone said, he intended to keep one gift—a black-and-white dog which was named Checkers by the Nixon children, thus giving the address its popular name.

Many thought Nixon's career over as a result of this scandal but with this speech, Nixon turned public opinion around and salvaged his career.

Text of the speech

Audio of the Speech.

Address to 2004 DNC Convention - Barack Obama

Then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama (D) delivers the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, in Boston, Massachusetts. This speech catapulted Obama into the national imagination.



Text and audio of this speech.