FDR's classic "I welcome their hatred" speech

[WI_DEM]

For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.

For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.

We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace‹business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me‹and I welcome their hatred.

I should like to have it said of my first Administration that in it the forces of selfishness and of lust for power met their match. I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master.

Read speech in full:

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/text/us/fdr1936.html

[flakey_foont]

1. Thanks for posting this

[debbierlus]

2. Kick

Here's a video link, as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksTHQo8Q78

[debbierlus]

3. We should retitle this speech 'How a democrat REALLY sounds speech)

[Faygo Kid]

4. Always worth another read.

Classic from a real fighter.

[clear eye]

5. "We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

"

That sounds so up-to-the-minute. Like it could have been said this morning.

[Fearless]

6. I'll take Kennedy's DNC to boot...

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedkennedy1980dnc.htm

[anonymous171]

7. K&R. nt

[GreenTea]

8. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any president like FDR since FDR & I certainly don't see any

on the horizon....all we'll get is more Reagan clones & Clinton clones....either one is great for the multi-national corporations, but both are very sad alternatives for hard working Americans and their families.

[abq e streeter]

9. Didn't catch the name of this extremist giving the speech, but he obviously could never be elected

to any high office...You've got to be practical and appeal to the center to get elected . Right? (as always, just in case someone out there somehow didn't get it::sarcasm: )

[Blackhatjack]

10. "We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"

Key Line --So true today.

[Captain Hilts]

11. The irony, of course, that having won the HUGE victory, FDR turned right and tightened the budget...

and unemployment went up....