UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA

FACULTAD DE FILOLOGÍA

GRADO EN ESTUDIOS INGLESES

Trabajo de Fin de Grado

Metaphor in Political Discourse:

A Speech Case Study of the Incoming 46th US
President Joe Biden

Autora: Jennifer Alonso Delgado

Tutora: Pilar Alonso Rodríguez

Salamanca, 2021
 UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA

FACULTAD DE FILOLOGÍA

GRADO EN ESTUDIOS INGLESES

Trabajo de Fin de Grado

Metaphor in Political Discourse:

A Speech Case Study of the Incoming 46th US
President Joe Biden

Autora: Jennifer Alonso Delgado

Tutora: Pilar Alonso Rodríguez

Salamanca, 2021
Firmado por ALONSO RODRIGUEZ MARIA DEL PILAR -
***0365** el día 25/06/2021 con un certificado
emitido por AC FNMT Usuarios
ABSTRACT

Since Lakoff and Johnson began their study in 1980 with Metaphors We Live

By, conceptual metaphor has become one of the most studied cognitive mechanisms

within this field of linguistics. This thesis focuses on the role of conceptual metaphor in

political discourse as a transmitter of ideology and a tool for manipulation. The

methodology used for metaphor study follows the Critical Metaphor Analysis proposed

by Charteris-Black which consists of identifying, interpreting, and explaining each of

the four metaphors studied. The texts studied here are three speeches of the recently

elected president of the United States Joe Biden, which will allow us to learn more

about the dialectical profile of the Democratic candidate.

Keywords: cognitive linguistics, political discourse, critical discourse analysis,

conceptual metaphor, mapping

RESUMEN

Desde que Lakoff y Johnson iniciasen su estudio en 1980 en su obra Metaphors

We Live By, la metáfora conceptual se ha convertido en uno de los mecanismos

cognitivos más estudiados dentro de este campo de la lingüística. Esta tesis se enfoca en

el papel que juega la metáfora conceptual dentro del discurso político como transmisora

de ideología y herramienta de manipulación. La metodología utilizada para su estudio

seguirá el Análisis Crítico de la Metáfora propuesto por Charteris-Black consistente en

identificar, interpretar, y explicar cada una de las cuatro metáforas de estudio. Los

textos analizados son tres discursos del recientemente elegido presidente de los Estados

Unidos Joe Biden, que nos permitirán conocer más sobre el perfil dialéctico del

candidato demócrata.

Palabras clave: lingüística cognitiva, discurso político, análisis crítico del discurso,

metáfora conceptual, proyección

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 2

2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................. 3

2.1. Critical approaches to political discourse .............................................................. 3

2.2. Conceptual Metaphor Theory ................................................................................ 4

3. DATA ANALYSIS ................................................................................................... 6

3.1. POLITICS IS WAR ..................................................................................................... 6

3.2. POLITICS IS A JOURNEY ........................................................................................... 8

3.3. NATION IS A BUILDING .......................................................................................... 10

3.4. NATION IS A PERSON ............................................................................................. 12

4. CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................... 14

WORKS CITED ............................................................................................................. 16

APPENDIX A: Joe Biden’s Democratic National Convention speech (August 20, 2020)

…………………………………………………………………………………………..19

APPENDIX B: Joe Biden’s President-elect victory speech (November 7, 2020) .......... 33

APPENDIX C: Joe Biden’s Inaugural Address (January 20, 2021) ............................... 41

APPENDIX D: Biden’s conceptual metaphors classified by source domain ................. 54

 Alonso 2

1. INTRODUCTION

The major aim of politics can be simplified as to attracting the greatest number of

supporters so as to govern the nation and be powerful. For that purpose, politicians have to

convince citizens to believe what each political party is interested in at any particular

moment. The question is, then, what sort of strategies politicians can use for that goal. One of

the most powerful tools they have to spread their ideology is language, so it is of great

interest to study how politicians use certain language structures to satisfy specific political

purposes. All linguistic levels from lexis to pragmatics are involved in the manipulation of

language to achieve a particular political effect (Wilson). One of the main conceptual

resources used for this purpose is metaphor, that will be the object of study of the following

essay.

This thesis has two main objectives. First, it will demonstrate that metaphor is a

powerful cognitive mechanism that serves to persuade, sometimes manipulate, and spread

ideologies in American politics. Secondly, I have selected the newly elected President Joseph

R. Biden as case study to provide empirical evidence of the use he makes of conceptual

metaphors in order to help draw a rhetorical pattern of discourse.

The corpus analyzed consists of three of the most important speeches to date of the

current US President: The speech at his nomination as Democratic nominee for the

Presidency, the speech after winning the presidential elections and the Inaugural Address (see

full transcripts in Appendix A, Appendix B and Appendix C). The analysis will be based on the

cognitive theory of metaphor initiated by Lakoff and Johnson in 1980. The thesis focusses on

the analysis of four conceptual metaphors widely spread in the American political scenario:

POLITICS IS WAR, POLITICS IS A JOURNEY, NATION IS A BUILDING and NATION IS A PERSON.

 Alonso 3

To critically analyze these conceptual metaphors and reveal the intentionality and

purpose of their use within the political discourse I will follow the three-stage methodology

of the Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) proposed by Charteris-Black (Corpus): First to

identify the metaphors, then interpret, and finally explain them. In this thesis the last two

stages will be applied only to some representative cases.

2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. Critical approaches to political discourse

Political discourse can be defined, and therefore limited, to that employed by

“political actors” and “supporters operating in political environments to achieve political

goals” (Wilson 398). As Wilson mentions, perhaps it was Orwell in 1969 in his article

“Politics and the English Language” the first to consider the political potential of language,

and therefore, the ability to manipulate thought through political discourse (400). More

recently, authors such as van Dijk (Political discourse and Ideology; Politics, ideology and

discourse; Discourse and manipulation; Ideology and Discourse Analysis; Discourse and

Ideology; Ideology and Discourse; Ideology) have continued Orwell’s approach and focused

their research on the ideological load and persuasive/manipulative potential of (political)

language. According to van Dijk, as “political field is thoroughly ideological, then so are its

political practices, and hence its discourse” (Politics 732). In other words, political ideologies

are reproduced by discourse (Politics 728).

Metaphor is one of the most used conceptual strategies in the construction of

politically biased speeches, being a central figure for “creating an aspirational discourse that

sounds good as well as expressing the basis for doing the right thing” (Charteris-Black,

Politicians 304). To critically analyze the metaphor use in political discourse, we must look
 Alonso 4

at Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). CDA is defined by Musolff as “a branch of applied

linguistics that studies the relationship between language, ideology and power relations”

(Political 3). As Charteris-Black notes, the study of metaphors “should be a central

component of critical discourse analysis” because they “are used persuasively to convey

valuations and thus constitute part of the ideology of texts” (Corpus 27-8). He continues

emphasizing “the potential of metaphor to construct representations of the world that impinge

on human understanding of various aspects of social and political life” and “its vital role in

forming and influencing human beliefs, attitudes and action” (Corpus 28). Thus, this

conceptual device plays a key role to persuade and manipulate the target audience of political

discourses. In fact, a large number of researchers has concentrated on the relevance of

conceptual metaphors in sociopolitical environments (Lakoff, Metaphor, Moral, Don’t Think;

Charteris-Black, Corpus, Politicians; Musolff, Metaphor, Political; Carver and Pikalo).

2.2. Conceptual Metaphor Theory

The study of metaphor in cognitive linguistics originated in Lakoff and Johnson’s

Metaphors We Live By (1980). In this book, Lakoff and Johnson distinguish between

linguistic metaphors (linguistic expressions used metaphorically), and conceptual metaphors

(certain conceptual patterns we rely on in our daily living to think about aspects of the world)

(Kövecses 16). Conceptual Metaphor Theory (henceforth CMT) states that metaphor is

pervasive in everyday life and is not only a matter of language, but also of thought and action

(Lakoff and Johnson 3). Therefore, metaphor should no longer be studied only as a merely

ornamental device tied to literary texts, but as something used every day by ordinary people

to structure daily activities, experiences and reasoning and thinking. Lakoff and Johnson

argue that “our ordinary conceptual system is metaphorical in nature” so that metaphors

“structure how we perceive, how we think, and what we do” (4). In other words, CMT
 Alonso 5

defends metaphors shape the way we think. As Kövecses explains, CMT understands

metaphor “as a conceptual tool for structuring, restructuring and even creating reality” (13).

He goes on to define conceptual metaphor as “a systematic set of correspondences between

two domains of experience” (14). This systematicity Kövecses points at is key in CMT so

that we can understand and experience one thing in terms of another (Lakoff and Johnson 5).

We create metaphorical networks where A is conceptualized in terms of B by

mapping certain properties of one domain of experience (source domain) onto another

domain (target domain). The following result of that series of cross-domain mappings is the

conceptual metaphor A IS B, and never the other way around. The target domain is

characterized for being complex and abstract in contrast to the source domain which is more

concrete and familiar to human experience and knowledge. Therefore, the target domain is

the domain that we try to understand and simplify.

Researchers in the field of cognitive linguistics have developed different proposals for

the identification of conceptual metaphors in recent decades that have made it possible to

expand the empirical studies available on them. Some of the most relevant are the three-

stages Critical Metaphor Analysis developed by Charteris-Black (2004), the five-stages

procedure developed by Gerard Steen (1999), or the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP)

developed by the Pragglejaz Group1 (2007).

1
The Pragglejaz Group is composed by: Peter Crisp, Raymond Gibbs, Alice Deignan, Graham Low, Gerard
Steen, Lynne Cameron, Elena Semino, Joe Grady, Alan Cienki, and Zoltan Kövecses.
 Alonso 6

3. DATA ANALYSIS

3.1. POLITICS IS WAR

The conceptual structure POLITICS IS WAR is a widespread cognitive framework in

American politics. Its high frequency of appearance in political dicourse―34 times within

that corpus―has two main causes. On the one hand, as Lakoff and Johnson (1980) point out,

our cultural knowledge and experience of physical conflict facilitate the understanding of

abstract political actions2. On the other hand, war metaphors serve to evocate struggle and

effort in an attempt to motivate hearers to the actions necessary to bring about the anticipated

outcomes (Charteris-Black, Politicians 304). As shown in Table 1, the lexicon from the

semantic field of war come to 108 occurrences within the speeches:

Lexical items Nº appearances

battle 13
force(s) 8
challenge/challenging 7
protect/protections 7
peace/peaceful/peaceably 7
to face 6
defend 6
prevail 5
duty 4
victory 4
war 3
service/serving 3
defeat 3
struggle 3
to fight/fought 3
destroyed/destroying 2
attack 2
enemy/enemies 2
threat, threatening 2
allies/alliances 2
adversaries 2

2
In Metaphors We Live By, Lakoff and Johnson identify speakers’ conceptualization of dialectical exchanges in
terms of war, concluding that our cognitive metaphoric network contains the conceptual metaphor ARGUMENT IS
WAR. In this regard, the conceptual metaphor POLITICS IS WAR can be seen as a submetaphor of the one already
described by Lakoff and Johnson in 1980.
 Alonso 7

to marshal 2
endure 1
foes 1
triumph 1
confront 1
strife 1
gain 1
mission 1
assault 1
win 1
Commander 1
state of chaos 1
crisis 1
Total 108

Table 1. Lexical items from the semantic field of war.

Furthermore, the cross-mapping between WAR and POLITICS produces a series of

conceptual mappings Biden also uses. In (1) political elections are conceptualized as battles,

and therefore, the outcome of them is also mapped onto the electoral outcome:

(1) May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American

darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the

soul of the nation. And this is a battle that we, together, will win.

The military scenario similarly gives rise to the conceptual mappings POLITICIANS ARE

SOLDIERS, POLITICAL OPPONENTS ARE ENEMIES, and SUPPORTERS ARE ALLIES, which serve

Biden to “evoke feelings of antipathy towards an implied or named ‘enemy’–or ‘villain’–and

feelings of loyalty and affection towards a ‘hero’ figure with whom they identify” (Charteris-

Black, Politicians 23) as shown in (2) and (3):

(2) So I take very personally the profound responsibility of serving as

Commander in Chief. I will be a president who will stand with our allies and

friends.
 Alonso 8

(3) To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy.

We are not enemies. We are Americans.

However, although he uses lexicon related to war, Biden does not intend to make a

call to arms, nor does he wish to evoke feelings of anger, resentment and hatred. In (4) he

explicitly alludes to the desire of ending the confrontation and division of the population

originated by the previous government:

(4) We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus

urban, conservative versus liberal.

Biden’s political campaign takes place in a tumultuous scenario due to the situation

created by his predecessor. In fact, he makes it evident that he is a strong opponent of war

and confrontation, being positively marked terms as peace [7], protect [7], and defend [6]

some of the most frequently used in his war metaphors. Such collocations build a call for

peace and fraternity, dialogue and understanding, thus providing a reconciliatory and warm

tone to the discourse.

3.2. POLITICS IS A JOURNEY

This conceptual metaphor is framed within the experience and body-based kinesthetic

SOURCE-PATH-GOAL image schema proposed by Lakoff (Women 275), which understands the

achievement of a goal or purpose as destinations reached after travelling along a path3.

Political decisions are conceptualized as the PATH to ultimately achieve the destination-goal

of the JOURNEY, that will be defined by the interests of the political party. Hence, the act of

3
In relation to this schema, Lakoff later develops in “The Contemporary Theory of Metaphor” (1993) the
metaphorical structure LONG-TERM PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITIES ARE JOURNEYS and the mapping PURPOSES ARE
DESTINATIONS. However, as in the previous section, the conceptual metaphor POLITICS IS A JOURNEY can be seen
as a submetaphor of a more general one already described in Metaphors We Live By (1980), in this case, LIFE IS
A JOURNEY.
 Alonso 9

moving forward along the path implies achieving the desired objectives, while moving

backwards or remaining static is evidence of political failure.

POLITICS is framed as a JOURNEY a total of 18 times within the corpus. Biden

expresses through the use of this metaphor where he wants to lead Americans, and what the

purpose of his mandate is. He intends to restore the promise of America, that is, to ensure

citizens can reach the American dream. To achieve that objective, citizens must support the

democrats as they are the only ones enable to show the unique and right way forward:

(5) In times as challenging as these, I believe there is only one way forward.

As a united America. United in our pursuit of a more perfect Union.

The fact that Biden is the one who leads the population on the way forward to achieve

the proposed goal entails the mapping POLITICAL LEADERS ARE GUIDES. In (6), (7) and (8) he

makes clear through metaphorical expressions the different capacities between Democrats

and the Republican predecessor to lead-guide the nation:

(6) But she [Vice President Kamala Harris]’s overcome every obstacle she’s

ever faced.

(7) We’re always looking ahead . . . Ahead to an America that never leaves

anyone behind.

(8) A president who takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others,

cozies up to dictators, and fans the flames of hate and division.

Here Biden projects a strong positive image of Democratic members as guides. In (6)

he points to Kamala Harris’s experience and ability to deal with any problems that may arise

in pursuit of the desired purpose, while in (7) he states his willingness to consider all

Americans as travelling partners along the path, excluding no one. In contrast to this, Biden

criticizes President Trump’s role as the nation’s guide, pointing out in (8) his lack of
 Alonso 10

leadership and the negative consequences that this entails between citizens (‘hate,’

‘division’).

Additionally, Biden remarks the differences in the performance of both political

parties to achieve their goal-destination. Terms positively marked such as ‘hope’ and ‘light’

appear in relation to his plan whereas his opponents’ behavior are portrayed in a very

negative way:

(9) We can choose the path of becoming angrier, less hopeful, and more

divided. A path of shadow and suspicion. Or we can choose a different path, and

together, take this chance to heal, to be reborn, to unite. A path of hope and light.

In short, Biden uses the JOURNEY metaphor to conceptualize political concepts that

involve leadership and political action (Chilton 52) while appealing to a sense of unity and

inclusiveness in citizens. All Americans must stand together to succeed in achieving the

destination-purpose of the American dream. They must strive as a nation and stand with the

government, for only Biden can lead them on the way to progress.

3.3. NATION IS A BUILDING

Metaphors that use building as source domain are closely related to those discussed in

the previous section, since building and travelling are two activities in which progress leads

to the achievement of a predetermined goal (Charteris-Black, Corpus 95).

NATION is framed as a BUILDING 8 times within the corpus. Building implies the

existence of a creative process, and through the target entailment of building a nation Biden

intends to create a strong feeling of involvement in the process of rebuilding national identity.

Thus, not only do we have the mapping CITIZENS ARE INHABITANTS, but Biden makes use of

POLITICIANS AND CITIZENS ARE BUILDERS as he also involves the voters in the construction
 Alonso 11

process by the extended use of the inclusive we-form and the adverb together in (10). Then

building metaphors here convey a positive evaluation because progress towards long-term

social goals requires social co-operation between government and the people (Charteris-

Black, Corpus 71).

(10) It’s an America we can rebuild together.

(11) That’s why my economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respect, and

community. Together, we can, and we will, rebuild our economy. And when we

do, we’ll not only build it back, we’ll build it back better.

(12) We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care

secure for all.

(13) We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of

prosperity and purpose.

In (10), (11) and (12) Biden talks about rebuilding or build back and not simply

building. By doing so the president implicit refers the nation is now destroyed. Thus, he

asserts Donald Trump is the one responsible for the social, economic, and labor state-

integrity of the nation and subtly postulates himself as someone capable to redress the

situation. This premise is ultimately reinforced in (13) with the use of positively marked

terms such as ‘prosperity’ and ‘purpose.’ That terminology definitely carries strong positive

connotations because, as stated by Charteris-Black, they express aspiration towards the

desired social goals (Corpus 70, 100). Therefore, the discussion I have carried out reveals

that the conceptual metaphor NATION IS A BUILDING serves Biden to expose his attitude

towards the “construction of a healthy society” (Božić and Ćosić 72) while at the same time

appealing to citizens’ emotions about national identity.

 Alonso 12

3.4. NATION IS A PERSON

The conceptual metaphor NATION IS A PERSON belongs to a more general category that

Lakoff and Johnson describe as personification. According to these authors, personification

allows us to “make sense of phenomena in the world in . . . terms that we can understand on

the basis of our own motivations, goals, actions, and characteristics” (34). In this context, the

general personification here is CORPORATIONS ARE PERSONS. This mapping can be applied to

any other entity with similar characteristics, such as the nation in political discourse. In

accordance with this, it is Lakoff himself who alludes to the use of the submetaphor A STATE

IS A PERSON as “one of the major metaphors underlying foreign policy concepts”4

(Contemporary 243). Within the corpus analyzed, the metaphor is used 46 times to

conceptualize and talk about America, being the most frequent of the four studied. Different

specific properties of persons are attributed to the nation, which in turn generates several

submetaphors.

On a general level, the nation carries out actions as a person would, such as creating

jobs, making promises, dealing with situations, recovering from and prevailing for disease,

performing actions (see (14)), thanking, and even answering a call. But more concretely, we

find mappings such as NATION HAS A BODY, as physical traits are attributed to America. The

soul of the nation is used a total of 7 times, together with the heart, voice, eyes and backbone,

such is the case of (15). America is also described with human attributes such as strength and

character, as well as the ability to be free, just, generous, strong, selfless, humble, and a

4
Lakoff continues pointing out that due to the use of this metaphor in foreign policy contexts “there are
“friendly” states, “hostile” states, and so forth. Health for a state is economic health and strength is military
strength” (Contemporary 243).
Later, in 1996, it is Lakoff himself who continues theorizing on the use of the personification of the nation in
politics and develops the submetaphor NATION AS FAMILY, where the nation is the child who needs attentions
and cares and the government acts as a protective parent based on two differentiated models: Strict Father
(Conservativism) and Nurturant Parent (Liberalism) (Moral Politics).
 Alonso 13

trusted partner. Example (16) shows how America is endowed with character, then we find

NATION HAS HUMAN ATTRIBUTES. Finally, even the cognitive function that characterizes the

human mind is attributed to America, so that NATION HAS HUMAN COGNITIVE MIND. Among

the cognitive capacities Biden attributes to the nation are the ability to understand (see (17)),

to dream, to possess morals, values, responsibilities, or to hate.

(14) By far the worst performance of any nation on Earth.

(15) I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the

backbone of the nation — the middle class.

(16) I see a different America. One that is generous and strong. Selfless and

humble.

(17) He used to say, “Joey, I don’t expect the government to solve my

problems, but I expect it to understand them.”

However, the personification NATION IS A PERSON is combined here with two different

metonymies, each with a specific purpose. Thus, in (15) and (16) Biden employs the NATION

FOR AMERICAN POPULATION, which seeks to build a collective identity (Musolff 93;

Charteris-Black, Politicians 322-23). In this way, citizens feel represented by the nation

described, feeling that the characteristics attributed to it—mostly positive ones—are a self-

representation of themselves and encouraging empathy—which ultimately turn into a feeling

of patriotism, something of great value in the American idiosyncrasy. On the other hand,

Biden uses the metonymy POLITICIAN FOR NATION (Musolff 93) or NATION FOR

GOVERNMENT5 (Charteris-Black, Politicians 257), a very common strategy that contributes

5
The use of the conceptual metaphor NATION IS A PERSON together with the metonymy NATION FOR
GOVERNMENT is also found in the widely extended personification of Uncle Sam, used to refer to the American
nation and more specifically to the American government.
 Alonso 14

significantly to communicate leadership (256), as in (17), but nevertheless, it also aims to

strongly criticize the opposing government and embarrass them as national leaders, as in (14).

4. CONCLUSIONS

This thesis shows that the strong ideological component implicit in conceptual

metaphors used in political contexts makes their analysis a major focus of attention for

Critical Discourse Analysis. Not only is it ratified that, as Steen notes, “particular

metaphorical forms tend to occur in specific language varieties” (57-8), but that certain

metaphorical structures also occur in specific contexts, in this case the American political

scenario.

The four metaphors discussed throughout this paper primarily serve two ideological

functions antagonistic to each other. On the one hand, they seek to demonize the political

opponent by loading their descriptions with numerous negative connotations as absolute

destroyers of the nation and any kind of harmony in its affairs. On the opposite side, they are

intended to make an extremely positive self-representation of Biden’s own political party.

The metaphors used reflect Biden’s subconscious, they do not embellish his speech to make it

showier but are linguistic resources with an ideological background. They try to persuade, to

attract the attention of the listener, as well as to make himself remembered by voters. In

Charteris-Black words, metaphors are here used to create “an aspirational discourse that

sounds right as well as expressing the basis for doing right” (Politicians 304).

Biden achieves through conceptual metaphors a speech with a conciliatory tone,

emphasizing the sense of unity, since he does not seek to create conflicts but to solve all those

created by the previous mandate. By showing a relaxed tone, he does not seem seeking to

manipulate the audience, but simply to persuade them. Biden does not show aggressiveness
 Alonso 15

towards those who do not support him, he limits himself to seek empathy, evoke emotions,

and feelings of patriotism towards the nation to get as many people as possible to row in

favor of the common good. He gives the impression that he is not an egomaniac, and his

priority is not confrontation or discrediting, but rather to strengthen relations as much as

possible and the general welfare.

In short, the use of conceptual metaphors in these three examples of political

discourse seeks to produce relevant political images that activate the deepest human

emotions. In this way, Biden subtly and subliminally motivates and inspires the population to,

in the short term, go to the polls and elect him as the new president, and in the long term, to

continue to support him in his decisions.

 Alonso 16

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- - -. “Discourse and manipulation.” Discourse & Society, vol. 17, no. 2, 2006, pp. 359–383.

- - -. “Ideology and Discourse Analysis.” Journal of Political Ideologies, vol. 11, no. 2, 2006,

pp. 115–140.

- - -. “Ideology and Discourse.” The Oxford Handbook of Political Ideologies, edited by

Freeden, Michael, et al., Oxford UP, 2013, pp. 175–96.

- - -. “Ideology.” The International Encyclopedia of Political Communication, edited by

Mazzoleni, Gianpietro, Wiley-Blackwell, 2015. 4 vols.

- - -. “Political discourse and Ideology.” Anàlisi del discurs polític, edited by Lorda, Clara U.,

and Montserrat Ribas, PPU, 2002, pp. 15–34.

- - -. “Politics, ideology and discourse.” Elsevier Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics,

edited by Brown, Keith, 2nd ed., Elsevier, 2005, pp. 728–40.

Wilson, John. “Political Discourse.” The Handbook of Discourse Analysis, edited by

Schiffrin, Deborah, et al., Blackwell, 2001, pp. 398–415.

 Alonso 19

APPENDIX A: Joe Biden’s Democratic National Convention speech (August 20, 2020)

Good evening.

Ella Baker, a giant of the civil rights movement, left us with this wisdom: Give people light

and they will find a way.

Give people light.

Those are words for our time.

The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger.

Too much fear. Too much division.

Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the

best of us not the worst. I will be an ally of the light not of the darkness.

It’s time for us, for We the People, to come together.

For make no mistake. United we can, and will, overcome this season of darkness in America.

We will choose hope over fear, facts over fiction, fairness over privilege.

I am a proud Democrat and I will be proud to carry the banner of our party into the general

election. So, it is with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for President of

the United States of America.

But while I will be a Democratic candidate, I will be an American president. I will work as

hard for those who didn’t support me as I will for those who did.

That’s the job of a president. To represent all of us, not just our base or our party. This is not

a partisan moment. This must be an American moment.

It’s a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way

forward, and love for one another.

 Alonso 20

America isn’t just a collection of clashing interests of Red States or Blue States.

We’re so much bigger than that.

We’re so much better than that.

Nearly a century ago, Franklin Roosevelt pledged a New Deal in a time of massive

unemployment, uncertainty, and fear.

Stricken by disease, stricken by a virus, FDR insisted that he would recover and prevail and

he believed America could as well.

And he did.

And so can we.

This campaign isn’t just about winning votes.

It’s about winning the heart, and yes, the soul of America.

Winning it for the generous among us, not the selfish. Winning it for the workers who keep

this country going, not just the privileged few at the top. Winning it for those communities

who have known the injustice of the “knee on the neck”. For all the young people who have

known only an America of rising inequity and shrinking opportunity.

They deserve to experience America’s promise in full.

No generation ever knows what history will ask of it. All we can ever know is whether we’ll

be ready when that moment arrives.

And now history has delivered us to one of the most difficult moments America has ever

faced.

Four historic crises. All at the same time. A perfect storm.

 Alonso 21

The worst pandemic in over 100 years. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

The most compelling call for racial justice since the 60’s. And the undeniable realities and

accelerating threats of climate change.

So, the question for us is simple: Are we ready?

I believe we are.

We must be.

All elections are important. But we know in our bones this one is more consequential.

America is at an inflection point. A time of real peril, but of extraordinary possibilities.

We can choose the path of becoming angrier, less hopeful, and more divided.

A path of shadow and suspicion.

Or we can choose a different path, and together, take this chance to heal, to be reborn, to

unite. A path of hope and light.

This is a life-changing election that will determine America’s future for a very long time.

Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, democracy.

They are all on the ballot.

Who we are as a nation. What we stand for. And, most importantly, who we want to be.

That’s all on the ballot.

And the choice could not be clearer.

No rhetoric is needed.

Just judge this president on the facts.

 Alonso 22

5 million Americans infected with COVID-19.

More than 170,000 Americans have died.

By far the worst performance of any nation on Earth.

More than 50 million people have filed for unemployment this year.

More than 10 million people are going to lose their health insurance this year.

Nearly one in 6 small businesses have closed this year.

If this president is re-elected we know what will happen.

Cases and deaths will remain far too high.

More mom and pop businesses will close their doors for good.

Working families will struggle to get by, and yet, the wealthiest one percent will get tens of

billions of dollars in new tax breaks.

And the assault on the Affordable Care Act will continue until its destroyed, taking insurance

away from more than 20 million people -- including more than 15 million people on

Medicaid -- and getting rid of the protections that President Obama and I passed for people

who suffer from a pre-existing condition.

And speaking of President Obama, a man I was honored to serve alongside for 8 years as

Vice President. Let me take this moment to say something we don’t say nearly enough.

Thank you, Mr. President. You were a great president. A president our children could -- and

did -- look up to.

No one will say that about the current occupant of the office.
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What we know about this president is if he’s given four more years he will be what he’s been

the last four years.

A president who takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others, cozies up to dictators,

and fans the flames of hate and division.

He will wake up every day believing the job is all about him. Never about you.

Is that the America you want for you, your family, your children?

I see a different America.

One that is generous and strong.

Selfless and humble.

It’s an America we can rebuild together.

As president, the first step I will take will be to get control of the virus that’s ruined so many

lives.

Because I understand something this president doesn’t.

We will never get our economy back on track, we will never get our kids safely back to

school, we will never have our lives back, until we deal with this virus.

The tragedy of where we are today is it didn’t have to be this bad.

Just look around.

It’s not this bad in Canada. Or Europe. Or Japan. Or almost anywhere else in the world.

The President keeps telling us the virus is going to disappear. He keeps waiting for a miracle.

Well, I have news for him, no miracle is coming.

We lead the world in confirmed cases. We lead the world in deaths.

 Alonso 24

Our economy is in tatters, with Black, Latino, Asian American, and Native American

communities bearing the brunt of it.

And after all this time, the president still does not have a plan.

Well, I do.

If I’m president on day one we’ll implement the national strategy I’ve been laying out since

March.

We’ll develop and deploy rapid tests with results available immediately.

We’ll make the medical supplies and protective equipment our country needs. And we’ll

make them here in America. So we will never again be at the mercy of China and other

foreign countries in order to protect our own people.

We’ll make sure our schools have the resources they need to be open, safe, and effective.

We’ll put the politics aside and take the muzzle off our experts so the public gets the

information they need and deserve. The honest, unvarnished truth. They can deal with that.

We’ll have a national mandate to wear a mask-not as a burden, but to protect each other.

It’s a patriotic duty.

In short, I will do what we should have done from the very beginning.

Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to this nation.

He failed to protect us.

He failed to protect America.

And, my fellow Americans, that is unforgivable.

 Alonso 25

As president, I will make you this promise: I will protect America. I will defend us from

every attack. Seen. And unseen. Always. Without exception. Every time.

Look, I understand it’s hard to have hope right now.

On this summer night, let me take a moment to speak to those of you who have lost the most.

I know how it feels to lose someone you love. I know that deep black hole that opens up in

your chest. That you feel your whole being is sucked into it. I know how mean and cruel and

unfair life can be sometimes.

But I’ve learned two things.

First, your loved ones may have left this Earth but they never leave your heart. They will

always be with you.

And second, I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose.

As God’s children each of us have a purpose in our lives.

And we have a great purpose as a nation: To open the doors of opportunity to all Americans.

To save our democracy. To be a light to the world once again.

To finally live up to and make real the words written in the sacred documents that founded

this nation that all men and women are created equal. Endowed by their Creator with certain

unalienable rights. Among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

You know, my Dad was an honorable, decent man.

He got knocked down a few times pretty hard, but always got up.

He worked hard and built a great middle-class life for our family.
 Alonso 26

He used to say, “Joey, I don’t expect the government to solve my problems, but I expect it to

understand them.”

And then he would say: “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your

dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about your place in your community. It’s about looking your

kids in the eye and say, honey, it’s going to be okay.”

I’ve never forgotten those lessons.

That’s why my economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respect, and community. Together,

we can, and we will, rebuild our economy. And when we do, we’ll not only build it back,

we’ll build it back better.

With modern roads, bridges, highways, broadband, ports and airports as a new foundation for

economic growth. With pipes that transport clean water to every community. With 5 million

new manufacturing and technology jobs so the future is made in America.

With a health care system that lowers premiums, deductibles, and drug prices by building on

the Affordable Care Act he’s trying to rip away.

With an education system that trains our people for the best jobs of the 21st century, where

cost doesn’t prevent young people from going to college, and student debt doesn’t crush them

when they get out.

With child care and elder care that make it possible for parents to go to work and for the

elderly to stay in their homes with dignity. With an immigration system that powers our

economy and reflects our values. With newly empowered labor unions. With equal pay for

women. With rising wages you can raise a family on. Yes, we’re going to do more than praise

our essential workers. We’re finally going to pay them.

 Alonso 27

We can, and we will, deal with climate change. It’s not only a crisis, it’s an enormous

opportunity. An opportunity for America to lead the world in clean energy and create

millions of new good-paying jobs in the process.

And we can pay for these investments by ending loopholes and the president’s $1.3 trillion

tax giveaway to the wealthiest 1 percent and the biggest, most profitable corporations, some

of which pay no tax at all.

Because we don’t need a tax code that rewards wealth more than it rewards work. I’m not

looking to punish anyone. Far from it. But it’s long past time the wealthiest people and the

biggest corporations in this country paid their fair share.

For our seniors, Social Security is a sacred obligation, a sacred promise made. The current

president is threatening to break that promise. He’s proposing to eliminate the tax that pays

for almost half of Social Security without any way of making up for that lost revenue.

I will not let it happen. If I’m your president, we’re going to protect Social Security and

Medicare. You have my word.

One of the most powerful voices we hear in the country today is from our young people.

They’re speaking to the inequity and injustice that has grown up in America. Economic

injustice. Racial injustice. Environmental injustice.

I hear their voices and if you listen, you can hear them too. And whether it’s the existential

threat posed by climate change, the daily fear of being gunned down in school, or the

inability to get started in their first job — it will be the work of the next president to restore

the promise of America to everyone.

I won’t have to do it alone. Because I will have a great Vice President at my side. Senator

Kamala Harris. She is a powerful voice for this nation. Her story is the American story. She
 Alonso 28

knows about all the obstacles thrown in the way of so many in our country. Women, Black

women, Black Americans, South Asian Americans, immigrants, the left-out and left-behind.

But she’s overcome every obstacle she’s ever faced. No one’s been tougher on the big banks

or the gun lobby. No one’s been tougher in calling out this current administration for its

extremism, its failure to follow the law, and its failure to simply tell the truth.

Kamala and I both draw strength from our families. For Kamala, it’s Doug and their families.

For me, it’s Jill and ours.

No man deserves one great love in his life. But I’ve known two. After losing my first wife in

a car accident, Jill came into my life and put our family back together.

She’s an educator. A mom. A military Mom. And an unstoppable force. If she puts her mind

to it, just get out of the way. Because she’s going to get it done. She was a great Second Lady

and she will make a great First Lady for this nation, she loves this country so much.

And I will have the strength that can only come from family. Hunter, Ashley and all our

grandchildren, my brothers, my sister. They give me courage and lift me up.

And while he is no longer with us, Beau inspires me every day.

Beau served our nation in uniform. A decorated Iraq war veteran.

So I take very personally the profound responsibility of serving as Commander in Chief.

I will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends. I will make it clear to our

adversaries the days of cozying up to dictators are over.

Under President Biden, America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of

American soldiers. Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic

exercise -- voting.
 Alonso 29

I will stand always for our values of human rights and dignity. And I will work in common

purpose for a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world.

History has thrust one more urgent task on us. Will we be the generation that finally wipes

the stain of racism from our national character?

I believe we’re up to it.

I believe we’re ready.

Just a week ago yesterday was the third anniversary of the events in Charlottesville.

Remember seeing those neo-Nazis and Klansmen and white supremacists coming out of the

fields with lighted torches? Veins bulging? Spewing the same anti-Semitic bile heard across

Europe in the ’30s?

Remember the violent clash that ensued between those spreading hate and those with the

courage to stand against it?

Remember what the president said?

There were quote, “very fine people on both sides.”

It was a wake-up call for us as a country.

And for me, a call to action. At that moment, I knew I’d have to run. My father taught us that

silence was complicity. And I could not remain silent or complicit.

At the time, I said we were in a battle for the soul of this nation.

And we are.

One of the most important conversations I’ve had this entire campaign is with someone who

is too young to vote.

 Alonso 30

I met with six-year old Gianna Floyd, a day before her Daddy George Floyd was laid to rest.

She is incredibly brave.

I’ll never forget.

When I leaned down to speak with her, she looked into my eyes and said “Daddy, changed

the world.”

Her words burrowed deep into my heart.

Maybe George Floyd’s murder was the breaking point.

Maybe John Lewis’ passing the inspiration.

However it has come to be, America is ready to in John’s words, to lay down “the heavy

burdens of hate at last” and to do the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism.

America’s history tells us that it has been in our darkest moments that we’ve made our

greatest progress. That we’ve found the light. And in this dark moment, I believe we are

poised to make great progress again. That we can find the light once more.

I have always believed you can define America in one word: Possibilities.

That in America, everyone, and I mean everyone, should be given the opportunity to go as far

as their dreams and God-given ability will take them.

We can never lose that. In times as challenging as these, I believe there is only one way

forward. As a united America. United in our pursuit of a more perfect Union. United in our

dreams of a better future for us and for our children. United in our determination to make the

coming years bright.

Are we ready?
 Alonso 31

I believe we are.

This is a great nation.

And we are a good and decent people.

This is the United States of America.

And there has never been anything we’ve been unable to accomplish when we’ve done it

together.

The Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote:

“History says,

Don’t hope on this side of the grave,

But then, once in a lifetime

The longed-for tidal wave

Of justice can rise up,

And hope and history rhyme”

This is our moment to make hope and history rhyme.

With passion and purpose, let us begin -- you and I together, one nation, under God -- united

in our love for America and united in our love for each other.

For love is more powerful than hate.

Hope is more powerful than fear.

Light is more powerful than dark.

This is our moment.

 Alonso 32

This is our mission.

May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here

tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation.

And this is a battle that we, together, will win.

I promise you.

Thank you.

And may God bless you.

And may God protect our troops.

 Alonso 33

APPENDIX B: Joe Biden’s President-elect victory speech (November 7, 2020)

My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken.

They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory.

A victory for “We the People.”

We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this

nation — 74 million.

I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.

I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify.

Who doesn’t see red and blue states, but a United States.

And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people.

For that is what America is about: The people.

And that is what our administration will be about.

I sought this office to restore the soul of America.

To rebuild the backbone of the nation — the middle class.

To make America respected around the world again, and to unite us here at home.

It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for this vision.

And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time.

As I said many times before, I’m Jill’s husband.

I would not be here without the love and tireless support of Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our

grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family.

 Alonso 34

They are my heart.

Jill’s a mom — a military mom — and an educator.

She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn’t just what she does — it’s who she

is. For America’s educators, this is a great day: You’re going to have one of your own in the

White House, and Jill is going to make a great first lady.

And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president — Kamala Harris — who

will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, first woman of South Asian descent,

and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country.

It’s long overdue, and we’re reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so many

years to make this happen. But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe

towards justice.

Kamala, Doug — like it or not — you’re family. You’ve become honorary Bidens and

there’s no way out.

To all those who volunteered, worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic, local election

officials — you deserve a special thanks from this nation.

To my campaign team, and all the volunteers, to all those who gave so much of themselves to

make this moment possible, I owe you everything.

And to all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud

of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse in history.

Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

Progressives, moderates and conservatives.

Young and old.

 Alonso 35

Urban, suburban and rural.

Gay, straight, transgender.

White. Latino. Asian. Native American.

And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African

American community stood up again for me. They always have my back, and I’ll have yours.

I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that.

Now that’s what I want the administration to look like.

And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight.

I’ve lost a couple of elections myself.

But now, let’s give each other a chance.

It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric.

To lower the temperature.

To see each other again.

To listen to each other again.

To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy.

We are not enemies. We are Americans.

The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time to build, a time to reap, a time

to sow. And a time to heal.

This is the time to heal in America.

Now that the campaign is over, what is the people’s will? What is our mandate?
 Alonso 36

I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the

forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles

of our time.

The battle to control the virus.

The battle to build prosperity.

The battle to secure your family’s health care.

The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country.

The battle to save the climate.

The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair

shot.

Our work begins with getting COVID under control.

We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality, or relish life’s most precious moments —

hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to

us — until we get this virus under control.

On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to

help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on

January 20th, 2021.

That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion,

empathy, and concern.

I will spare no effort — or commitment — to turn this pandemic around.

I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those

who didn’t vote for me as (for) those who did.

 Alonso 37

Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end, here and now.

The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some

mysterious force beyond our control.

It’s a decision. It’s a choice we make.

And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that

this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate.

That’s the choice I’ll make. And I call on the Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, to

make that choice with me.

The American story is about the slow, yet steady widening of opportunity.

Make no mistake: Too many dreams have been deferred for too long.

We must make the promise of the country real for everybody, no matter their race, their

ethnicity, their faith, their identity, or their disability.

America has always been shaped by inflection points, by moments in time where we’ve made

hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be.

Lincoln in 1860 — coming to save the Union.

FDR in 1932 — promising a beleaguered country a New Deal.

JFK in 1960 — pledging a New Frontier.

And twelve years ago, when Barack Obama made history, and told us, “Yes, we can.”

We stand again at an inflection point.

We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose.

We can do it. I know we can.

 Alonso 38

I’ve long talked about the battle for the soul of America.

We must restore the soul of America.

Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest

impulses.

It is time for our better angels to prevail.

Tonight, the whole world is watching America. I believe at our best America is a beacon for

the globe.

And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.

I’ve always believed we can define America in one word: Possibilities.

That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and

God-given ability will take them.

You see, I believe in the possibility of this country.

We’re always looking ahead.

Ahead to an America that’s freer and more just.

Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect.

Ahead to an America that cures disease(s) like cancer and Alzheimers.

Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind.

Ahead to an America that never gives up, never gives in.

This is a great nation.

And we are a good people.

 Alonso 39

This is the United States of America.

And there has never been anything we haven’t been able to do when we’ve done it together.

In the last days of the campaign, I’ve been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and

to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and

which I believe sustains America.

And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who

have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one

of you. Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well.

‘And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of His Hand.’

And now, together — on eagle’s wings — we embark on the work that God and history have

called upon us to do.

With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of

country and a thirst for justice, let us be the nation that we know we can be.

A nation united.

A nation strengthened.

A nation healed.

The United States of America.

God bless you.

 Alonso 40

And may God protect our troops.

 Alonso 41

APPENDIX C: Joe Biden’s Inaugural Address (January 20, 2021)

Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader

McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans.

This is America’s day.

This is democracy’s day.

A day of history and hope.

Of renewal and resolve.

Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen to the

challenge.

Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy.

The will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded.

We have learned again that democracy is precious.

Democracy is fragile.

And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.

So now, on this hallowed ground where just days ago violence sought to shake this Capitol’s

very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the

peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.

We look ahead in our uniquely American way – restless, bold, optimistic – and set our sights

on the nation we know we can be and we must be.

I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

 Alonso 42

You know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength of our nation.

As does President Carter, who I spoke to last night but who cannot be with us today, but

whom we salute for his lifetime of service.

I have just taken the sacred oath each of these patriots took — an oath first sworn by George

Washington.

But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us.

On “We the People” who seek a more perfect Union.

This is a great nation and we are a good people.

Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far. But we

still have far to go.

We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril

and possibility.

Much to repair.

Much to restore.

Much to heal.

Much to build.

And much to gain.

Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or difficult than the one

we’re in now.

A once-in-a-century virus silently stalks the country.

It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II.
 Alonso 43

Millions of jobs have been lost.

Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed.

A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all

will be deferred no longer.

A cry for survival comes from the planet itself. A cry that can’t be any more desperate or any

more clear.

And now, a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must

confront and we will defeat.

To overcome these challenges – to restore the soul and to secure the future of America –

requires more than words.

It requires that most elusive of things in a democracy:

Unity.

Unity.

In another January in Washington, on New Year’s Day 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the

Emancipation Proclamation.

When he put pen to paper, the President said, “If my name ever goes down into history it will

be for this act and my whole soul is in it.”

My whole soul is in it.

Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this:

Bringing America together.

Uniting our people.

 Alonso 44

And uniting our nation.

I ask every American to join me in this cause.

Uniting to fight the common foes we face:

Anger, resentment, hatred.

Extremism, lawlessness, violence.

Disease, joblessness, hopelessness.

With unity we can do great things. Important things.

We can right wrongs.

We can put people to work in good jobs.

We can teach our children in safe schools.

We can overcome this deadly virus.

We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all.

We can deliver racial justice.

We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.

I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy.

I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real.

But I also know they are not new.

Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created

equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization have long torn

us apart.
 Alonso 45

The battle is perennial.

Victory is never assured.

Through the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice,

and setbacks, our “better angels” have always prevailed.

In each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward.

And, we can do so now.

History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity.

We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors.

We can treat each other with dignity and respect.

We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature.

For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.

No progress, only exhausting outrage.

No nation, only a state of chaos.

This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.

And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America.

If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail.

We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together.

And so today, at this time and in this place, let us start afresh.

All of us.

Let us listen to one another.

 Alonso 46

Hear one another.

See one another.

Show respect to one another.

Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path.

Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war.

And, we must reject a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even

manufactured.

My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this.

America has to be better than this.

And, I believe America is better than this.

Just look around.

Here we stand, in the shadow of a Capitol dome that was completed amid the Civil War,

when the Union itself hung in the balance.

Yet we endured and we prevailed.

Here we stand looking out to the great Mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream.

Here we stand, where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protestors tried to

block brave women from marching for the right to vote.

Today, we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history elected to national

office – Vice President Kamala Harris.

Don’t tell me things can’t change.

 Alonso 47

Here we stand across the Potomac from Arlington National Cemetery, where heroes who

gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace.

And here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence

the will of the people, to stop the work of our democracy, and to drive us from this sacred

ground.

That did not happen.

It will never happen.

Not today.

Not tomorrow.

Not ever.

To all those who supported our campaign I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us.

To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a

measure of me and my heart.

And if you still disagree, so be it.

That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of

our Republic, is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength.

Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion.

And I pledge this to you: I will be a President for all Americans.

I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Many centuries ago, Saint Augustine, a saint of my church, wrote that a people was a

multitude defined by the common objects of their love.

 Alonso 48

What are the common objects we love that define us as Americans?

I think I know.

Opportunity.

Security.

Liberty.

Dignity.

Respect.

Honor.

And, yes, the truth.

Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson.

There is truth and there are lies.

Lies told for power and for profit.

And each of us has a duty and responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as

leaders – leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation — to

defend the truth and to defeat the lies.

I understand that many Americans view the future with some fear and trepidation.

I understand they worry about their jobs, about taking care of their families, about what

comes next.

I get it.
 Alonso 49

But the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who

don’t look like you do, or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same

sources you do.

We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative

versus liberal.

We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.

If we show a little tolerance and humility.

If we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes just for a moment.

Because here is the thing about life: There is no accounting for what fate will deal you.

There are some days when we need a hand.

There are other days when we’re called on to lend one.

That is how we must be with one another.

And, if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the

future.

My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us, we will need each other.

We will need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter.

We are entering what may well be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus.

We must set aside the politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation.

I promise you this: as the Bible says weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the

morning.

We will get through this, together

 Alonso 50

The world is watching today.

So here is my message to those beyond our borders:

America has been tested and we have come out stronger for it.

We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.

Not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s.

We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.

We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.

We have been through so much in this nation.

And, in my first act as President, I would like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent

prayer to remember all those we lost this past year to the pandemic.

To those 400,000 fellow Americans – mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and

daughters, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

We will honor them by becoming the people and nation we know we can and should be.

Let us say a silent prayer for those who lost their lives, for those they left behind, and for our

country.

Amen.

This is a time of testing.

We face an attack on democracy and on truth.

A raging virus.

Growing inequity.

The sting of systemic racism.

 Alonso 51

A climate in crisis.

America’s role in the world.

Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways.

But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of

responsibilities.

Now we must step up.

All of us.

It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do.

And, this is certain.

We will be judged, you and I, for how we resolve the cascading crises of our era.

Will we rise to the occasion?

Will we master this rare and difficult hour?

Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world for our children?

I believe we must and I believe we will.

And when we do, we will write the next chapter in the American story.

It’s a story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me.

It’s called “American Anthem” and there is one verse stands out for me:

“The work and prayers

of centuries have brought us to this day

What shall be our legacy?

What will our children say?…

 Alonso 52

Let me know in my heart

When my days are through

America

America

I gave my best to you.”

Let us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our nation.

If we do this then when our days are through our children and our children’s children will say

of us they gave their best.

They did their duty.

They healed a broken land.

My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath.

Before God and all of you I give you my word.

I will always level with you.

I will defend the Constitution.

I will defend our democracy.

I will defend America.

I will give my all in your service thinking not of power, but of possibilities.

Not of personal interest, but of the public good.

And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear.

Of unity, not division.

Of light, not darkness.

 Alonso 53

An American story of decency and dignity.

Of love and of healing.

Of greatness and of goodness.

May this be the story that guides us.

The story that inspires us.

The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history.

We met the moment.

That democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived.

That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world.

That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow.

So, with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time.

Sustained by faith.

Driven by conviction.

And, devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts.

May God bless America and may God protect our troops.

Thank you, America.

 Alonso 54

APPENDIX D: Biden’s conceptual metaphors classified by source domain

SOURCE DOMAIN: WAR

[W1] And the assault on the Affordable Care Act will continue until its destroyed, (…)

getting rid of the protections that President Obama and I passed for people who suffer

from a pre-existing condition.

[W2] Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to this nation . . . He failed to

protect America . . . As president, I will make you this promise: I will protect America. I

will defend us from every attack. Seen. And unseen. Always. Without exception. Every

time.

[W3] So I take very personally the profound responsibility of serving as Commander in

Chief. I will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends. I will make it clear

to our adversaries the days of cozying up to dictators are over.

[W4] At the time, I said we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. And we are.

[W5] This is our mission. May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of

American darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for

the soul of the nation. And this is a battle that we, together, will win.

[W6] It’s long overdue, and we’re reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so

many years to make this happen.

[W7] To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not

enemies. We are Americans.

[W8] For our seniors, Social Security is a sacred obligation, a sacred promise made. The

current president is threatening to break that promise.

[W9] I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and

the forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great
 Alonso 55

battles of our time. The battle to control the virus. The battle to build prosperity. The

battle to secure your family’s health care. The battle to achieve racial justice and root out

systemic racism in this country. The battle to save the climate. The battle to restore

decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot.

[W10] We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and

purpose.

[W11] I’ve long talked about the battle for the soul of America.

[W12] If I’m president on day one we’ll implement the national strategy I’ve been laying out

since March.

[W13] Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest

impulses.

[W14] Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen

to the challenge. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the

cause of democracy.

[W15] As does President Carter, who I spoke to last night but who cannot be with us today,

but whom we salute for his lifetime of service.

[W16] Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far.

But we still have far to go.

[W17] And much to gain. Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or

difficult than the one we’re in now.

[W18] And now, a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we

must confront and we will defeat. To overcome these challenges – to restore the soul and

to secure the future of America – requires more than words.

 Alonso 56

[W19] I ask every American to join me in this cause. Uniting to fight the common foes we

face: Anger, resentment, hatred. Extremism, lawlessness, violence. Disease, joblessness,

hopelessness.

[W20] We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.

[W21] I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real.

[W22] Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all

created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization

have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial. Victory is never assured.

[W23] We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors.

[W24] No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge,

and unity is the path forward.

[W25] Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement

doesn’t have to be a cause for total war.

[W26] I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

[W27] And each of us has a duty and responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially

as leaders – leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation —

to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.

[W28] We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban,

conservative versus liberal.

[W29] We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.

[W30] We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.

[W31] We face an attack on democracy and on truth.

[W32] Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is

we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities.

[W33] They did their duty.

 Alonso 57

[W34] I will defend the Constitution. I will defend our democracy. I will defend America. I

will give my all in your service thinking not of power, but of possibilities.

SOURCE DOMAIN: JOURNEY

[J1] As president, the first step I will take will be to get control of the virus that’s ruined so

many lives.

[J2] It’s a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see

our way forward, and love for one another.

[J3] We can choose the path of becoming angrier, less hopeful, and more divided. A path

of shadow and suspicion. Or we can choose a different path, and together, take this

chance to heal, to be reborn, to unite. A path of hope and light.

[J4] Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far.

But we still have far to go. We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have

much to do in this winter of peril and possibility.

[J5] A president who takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others, cozies up to

dictators, and fans the flames of hate and division.

[J6] But she’s overcome every obstacle she’s ever faced.

[J7] In times as challenging as these, I believe there is only one way forward. As a united

America. United in our pursuit of a more perfect Union.

[J8] We’re always looking ahead . . . Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone

behind.

[J9] We look ahead in our uniquely American way – restless, bold, optimistic – and set our

sights on the nation we know we can be and we must be.

 Alonso 58

[J10] Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far.

But we still have far to go. We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have

much to do in this winter of peril and possibility.

[J11] In each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward. And,

we can do so now. History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity.

[J12] Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path.

[J13] Now we must step up.

[J14] An American story of decency and dignity. Of love and of healing. Of greatness and

of goodness. May this be the story that guides us.

[J15] This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.

[J16] To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward.

Take a measure of me and my heart.

[J17] My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us, we will need each other.

[J18] We will get through this, together.

SOURCE DOMAIN: BUILDING

[B1] It’s an America we can rebuild together.

[B2] That’s why my economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respect, and community.

Together, we can, and we will, rebuild our economy. And when we do, we’ll not only

build it back, we’ll build it back better.

[B3] I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the backbone of the

nation — the middle class.

[B4] The battle to build prosperity.

[B5] We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and

purpose.
 Alonso 59

[B6] Much to repair. Much to restore. Much to heal. Much to build. And much to gain.

[B7] We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all.

[B8] With modern roads, bridges, highways, broadband, ports and airports as a new

foundation for economic growth.

SOURCE DOMAIN: PERSON

[P1] Nearly a century ago, Franklin Roosevelt pledged a New Deal in a time of massive

unemployment, uncertainty, and fear. Stricken by disease, stricken by a virus, FDR

insisted that he would recover and prevail and he believed America could as well.

[P2] They deserve to experience America’s promise in full.

[P3] And now history has delivered us to one of the most difficult moments America has

ever faced.

[P4] By far the worst performance of any nation on Earth.

[P5] We’ll make the medical supplies and protective equipment our country needs.

[P6] Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to this nation . . . He failed to

protect America . . . As president, I will make you this promise: I will protect America. I

will defend us from every attack. Seen. And unseen. Always. Without exception. Every

time.

[P7] And we have a great purpose as a nation: To open the doors of opportunity to all

Americans. To save our democracy. To be a light to the world once again. To finally live

up to and make real the words written in the sacred documents that founded this nation

that all men and women are created equal.

[P8] He used to say, “Joey, I don’t expect the government to solve my problems, but I

expect it to understand them.”

 Alonso 60

[P9] With a health care system that lowers premiums, deductibles, and drug prices by

building on the Affordable Care Act he’s trying to rip away. With an education system

that trains our people for the best jobs of the 21st century, where cost doesn’t prevent

young people from going to college, and student debt doesn’t crush them when they get

out. With an immigration system that powers our economy and reflects our values.

[P10] We can, and we will, deal with climate change. It’s not only a crisis, it’s an enormous

opportunity. An opportunity for America to lead the world in clean energy and create

millions of new good-paying jobs in the process.

[P11] Because we don’t need a tax code that rewards wealth more than it rewards work. I’m

not looking to punish anyone. Far from it. But it’s long past time the wealthiest people

and the biggest corporations in this country paid their fair share.

[P12] I hear their voices and if you listen, you can hear them too. And whether it’s the

existential threat posed by climate change, the daily fear of being gunned down in school,

or the inability to get started in their first job — it will be the work of the next president to

restore the promise of America to everyone.

[P13] Senator Kamala Harris. She is a powerful voice for this nation. Her story is the

American story.

[P14] Under President Biden, America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the

heads of American soldiers.

[P15] Will we be the generation that finally wipes the stain of racism from our national

character?

[P16] At the time, I said we were in a battle for the soul of this nation.

[P17] However it has come to be, America is ready to in John’s words, to lay down “the

heavy burdens of hate at last” and to do the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism.
 Alonso 61

[P18] United in our dreams of a better future for us and for our children. United in our

determination to make the coming years bright.

[P19] May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began

here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation.

[P20] I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the backbone of the

nation — the middle class.

[P21] But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.

[P22] To all those who volunteered, worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic, local

election officials — you deserve a special thanks from this nation.

[P23] We must make the promise of the country real for everybody.

[P24] America has always been shaped by inflection points, by moments in time where

we’ve made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. Lincoln in 1860 —

coming to save the Union. FDR in 1932 — promising a beleaguered country a New Deal.

JFK in 1960 — pledging a New Frontier.

[P25] I’ve long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of

America.

[P26] That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams

and God-given ability will take them. You see, I believe in the possibility of this country.

[P27] Ahead to an America that’s freer and more just. Ahead to an America that creates jobs

with dignity and respect. Ahead to an America that cures disease(s) like cancer and

Alzheimers. Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind. Ahead to an America

that never gives up, never gives in. This is a great nation.

[P28] In the last days of the campaign, I’ve been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to

me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that

sustains me and which I believe sustains America.

 Alonso 62

[P29] With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love

of country and a thirst for justice, let us be the nation that we know we can be. A nation

united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed.

[P30] You know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength of our nation.

[P31] Much to repair. Much to restore. Much to heal. Much to build. And much to gain.

[P32] A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice

for all will be deferred no longer.

[P33] To restore the soul and to secure the future of America – requires more than words.

[P34] We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.

[P35] And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America.

[P36] America has to be better than this.

[P37] The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our

nation’s greatest strength.

[P38] And, if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for

the future.

[P39] America has been tested and we have come out stronger for it.

[P40] We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.

[P41] But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of

responsibilities.

[P42] They healed a broken land.

[P43] The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history.

[P44] That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the

world.

[P45] I see a different America. One that is generous and strong. Selfless and humble.

[P46] It’s about winning the heart, and yes, the soul of America.