“A more perfect union” emulates Gettysburg, not Kennedy’s Houston
Some are quick to draw an parallel between Obama’s “A more Perfect Union” speech to other presidents’:
http://www.connpost.com/ci_8619497?source=rss
However, Obama probably emulates Gettysburg Address. The transcripts of “A More Perfect Union”, Gettysburg’s Address and Kennedy’s Houston speech are listed here:
Obama’s is here:
Kennedy:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16920600
Gettysburg Address:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gettysburgaddress.htm
Houston may have a good context to draw a parallel. Gettysburg is a far better comparson in terms of context (we are facing a challenge, Obama says) than Houston (questions of Kennedy’s independence). The structure is also a better comparson between Gettsburg than Houston.
