Presidential Communication Styles by Juliana Farman

George Washington

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-06 23:55:40 UTC

Washington was the first ever president, and he communicated with his people through his inaugural address and through the State of the Union. He was highly wary of overstepping any lines of power, and mainly deferred to Congress's opinion on policy. His State of the Union was published in the newspapers.

Abraham Lincoln

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-06 23:59:36 UTC

On his campaign trail, Lincoln communicated his views to voters through debates. As president, Lincoln gave speeches, which were published, as well as sending hundreds of telegraph messages. Telegraphs mark a shift towards new technology when compared to Washington.

William McKinley

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:02:37 UTC

McKinley communicated with his citizens with moving picture. This was the first ever usage of media of this kind, and marked another shift towards new technology when compared to Lincoln.

Teddy Roosevelt

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:05:39 UTC

Roosevelt was known for his frequent use of quips and slogans in his communications printed in newspapers of the time. The new mass-market newspapers, widely available to citizens, marks an expansion in the ability for a president to quickly make their thoughts heard when compared to McKinley.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:15:33 UTC

Although not the first president to use radio addresses to communicate, FDR was the best. He used his Fireside Chats to talk directly with the American people. This smart use of new radio technology made the presidents feelings and intentions more accessible compared to Teddy's quips equipped for newspaper.

John F. Kennedy

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:19:47 UTC

JFK was, again, not the first to use the new technology of television, but the first to use it in a remarkably new way. Without the first broadcast presidential debate, it is unlikely Kennedy would have been elected. JFK was the first to use both his charismatic voice AND looks to the win America's votes.

Bill Clinton

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:22:19 UTC

Bill Clinton was the first president to have an email address. Although rarely used, this use of a new form of technology to communicate marks a change between the Kennedy and Clinton presidencies.

Barack Obama

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:31:49 UTC

Obama's administration was the first to have a Twitter account. This marked a further expansion of technology compared to the technology present during the Clinton administration.

Donald Trump

julianafarman29 — 2024-11-07 00:35:21 UTC

Donald Trump was the first president to use Twitter all by himself. He was also the first president to be banned from Twitter. This marks a severe decrease in professionality of a president's communications compared to those of the Obama administration's.