Nixon described the discovery of these allegations as a "bombshell on [his] train and a nuclear explosion on Eisenhower's" (Nixon 175). Suggestions that Nixon resign came pouring into his administration. "Ninety percent of the press traveling with Eisenhower opposed retaining Nixon" (Cooper 161). Nixon was baffled and did not know how to calculate his next move. It was Governor Tom Dewey, one of Eisenhower's staff, who suggested that he go on national television and defend himself (Nixon 175). Nixon had less than 48-hours to compose, edit, and rehearse the speech that would make or break his political career. .
In order to analyze Nixon's make-or-break speech we must first look at the rhetorical problem, or obstacles that the speech strives to overcome. The primary problem Nixon had to face was proving his innocence. Newspapers everywhere were overflowing with articles recounting the vice-presidential candidates guilt. But, luckily for Nixon, overcoming this problem was made easy by his spelling out every financial asset he had accumulated since he was born. Nixon appeared an ordinary citizen when recounting his financial status (which included all of his debts). In this speech, Nixon also had to prove to Eisenhower that his name would in no way hinder Eisenhower's chance at victory in the election. At the end of his speech, Nixon appealed that the American people should call into Republican National Committee and vote for whether or not he should stay in office ("Nixon" 10). "The ratio of telegraphed responses was 200 to one in favor of Nixon's retention" (Cooper 167). Nixon proved to Eisenhower that the people wanted him on the ticket, and in turn overcame one of the biggest rhetorical problems of his speech.
The purpose of an Nixon's speech must also be examined in order to make a comprehensive analysis of the speech. In his autobiography Nixon described the three criteria his speech must meet in order to convey his purpose: "(1) [it must] answer the immediate attack by explaining and defending the fund, (2) ward off further allegations by showing that he did not accrue personal profit, and (3) launch a political counterattack" (176).