Showing results by author "Robert Wikstrom" in All Categories

Success in public life is often defined by winning elections, although many candidates that do not win go on to contribute publicly and make positive changes. Speeches are featured from those candidates that fell short of the votes needed to beat their rivals but continued to fight for their political ideals and issues.

In 1960, the first televised presidential debate was broadcast featuring Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy. It instantly turned television into an important national political tool. Included are some of the classic encounters between political rivals - Reagan vs. Carter, Bill Clinton vs. George H. W. Bush vs. Ross Perot, George W. Bush vs. Al Gore, Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney, Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton.

As a response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, America led a global counterterrorism campaign of limitless scope. Its military dimension involved major wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, covert operations in Yemen and elsewhere, large-scale military assistance programs for cooperative regimes, and major increases in military spending. Included are speeches from presidents, world leaders, military personnel, and others supporting and opposing the efforts.

From civil rights lawyer to Illinois State Senator to US Senator, Barack Obama was to become the first African American president of the United States. Speeches include his nomination acceptance, the inauguration, the death of Osama bin Laden, military conflicts, national health care legislation, and more.

For decades, climate scientists have been warning of the dangerous effects of the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. They have urged a variety of measures that might prevent some of those disasters they claim to foresee. Others deny the reality of human-caused climate change and believe that scientists' warnings about the impact are exaggerated. Speeches are presented from both sides of the issue.

Features Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Fireside Chats that were used to inform and build support for his presidency. From 1933 to 1945, families would gather around their living room radio to listen to the president explain everything from why he was closing banks to declaring war on Japan following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Produced by the Speech Resource Company and fully narrated by Robert Wikstrom.

At 8:45 a.m. on September 11, 2001, an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City leading off a series of jet crashes, destruction, and lives lost. A tribute to that day includes memorable speeches by President George W. Bush announcing the attack to the American people and conveying his support with a bullhorn to rescuers, Mayor Rudy Giuliani addressing the UN, Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice before the 9/11 Commission, and more.

In a short period of time, technology has exploded in the world market to a point where many cannot imagine a life without smartphones, tablets, and computers. With each new upgrade, technology compounds existing technologies to create something better than what was previously used before. Included are speeches from technical innovators, executives in the field of technology, developers, prognosticators, and others.

Some refer to Donald Trump as the American success story. While expanding his interests in real estate, sports, and entertainment, he made a decision to run and, ultimately, won the office of president of the United States. Speeches include those made before and after entering politics - announcing his candidacy, on the campaign trail, nomination acceptance, inauguration, and more.