Franklin D. Roosevelt: Campaign Address at Madison Square Garden

Audience

Franklin Roosevelt's principal audiences on October 31, 1936, included the enthusiastic crowd in Madison Square Garden and millions of supporters listening on the radio. During the course of the election campaign, Roosevelt was greeted by large and enthusiastic crowds. New Deal policies generated a strong positive response from working people and Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt were both personally popular. Roosevelt's speech was part of the successful effort to mobilize the largest Democratic vote in U.S. history. Through the repetition of such phrases as “of course we will continue” and “we have only just begun to fight,” Roosevelt appeals especially to his more radical working-class supporters. By including references to religious and moral motives for caring policies, Roosevelt appeals to his moderate supporters. The president includes remarks addressed to all people, such as his discussion on peace and references to the needs of the nation as a whole.