| CLINTON, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2008 (Scribe Newswire) -- "I'm betting that George Bush may give a 'This is how I should go down in history speech,'" predicts Hamilton College communications professor John Adams on the eve of President George Bush's last State of the Union address on Jan. 28.
"This is fairly wild speculation on my part -- but he seems to have a strong interest in how he'll be remembered, and also, how he'll be characterized by historians. Right now he's batting .050 out of .500. Bush may try to use the speech to 'set the record straight' once and for all. Perhaps not -- but thinking about it this way might make for some fun-filled speculation on what he believes his major accomplishments are," Adams says.
Adams has a Ph.D. in speech communication from the University of Washington with a specialization in rhetoric and public address. He has been interviewed by national media about previous State of the Union addresses, debates, and closing arguments in presidential candidates' speeches ("Candidates often save their most emotional material for the end, after they've established their credibility and followed up with the nuts and bolts of their plans. Usually, speakers will pick up the pace toward the end -- it's like NASCAR rhetoric,'' John Adams -- AP 11/07).
John Adams is available for comment on this topic. He can be reached in his office at Hamilton College, 315-859-4828, via e-mail at jadams@hamilton.edu, or at home 315-853-7353. For media assistance, contact Holly Foster, 315-859-4068, hfoster@hamilton.edu.
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