Wiki source for KSExamples
====SPEECHES SELECTED====
__Title:__ McCain, Graham, and Ayotte Release Statement on Benghazi Attack
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/768133
__Reason for Selection:__
This speech was selected because it addressed a topic receiving a great deal of news attention at the time (i.e. the 9/11/12 attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya). The statement was made by three of the most high-profile Senators criticizing President Obama on the Benghazi attacks. It is also clearly organized, easy to read, and lays out a cogent argument.
__Title:__ Cantwell's Remarks: Congressional Response to the National Congress of American Indians' State of Indian Nations Address
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/765467
__Reason for Selection:__
Though the speech does not focus on a particularly contentious policy issue, its broad focus on American Indian Affairs makes it perennially relevant. In addition, it was delivered by a major influencer of policy on this issue (the Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee) at a major, relevant venue (the National Congress of American Indians).
__Title:__ Statement by Inhofe on the Senate Floor on Liquid Natural Gas
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/769067
__Reason for Selection:__
The clarity and perennial relevance of the speech were the main reasons for its selection, as the specific topic itself lacked the characteristic of being highly contentious at the time of selection. Senator Inhofe is also enough of a leader on this issue (and from a state where Natural Gas is quite important) that the fact that he delivered it also helped this floor speech qualify for "Key Speech" status.
__Title:__ Remarks of President Barack Obama To the People of Israel
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/771371
__Reason for Selection:__
This speech is a slam dunk for "Key Speeches" purposes. Delivered by a sitting president on his first official trip to Israel, it speaks to a variety of major policy issues, and is quite clear, laying out a strong argument. It was also the most high-profile speech delivered by President Obama during his trip to Israel, garnering media attention for its content and surprising deviations from the script. It will surely stand the "Test of Time" and demands to be included in the "Key Speeches" archive.
====SPEECHES NOT SELECTED====
__Title:__ A Level Playing Field, an Equal Starting Line
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/771195
__Reason for Nonselection:__
Ultimately, this speech, though delivered by the Secretary of Education, was not particularly groundbreaking as it did not propose anything new. It was relatively clear and included specific facts and data, but did not qualify for "Key Speech" status because its subject matter and policy implications did not distinguish it as a "highlight".
__Title:__ The Progressive Caucus
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/769968
__Reason for Nonselection:__
This speech presents a clear argument from a set of Representatives who define the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives. It also focuses on a particular, contentious policy issue (the Sequester). However, because the speech itself was lengthy and cumbersome, and because it ultimately did not represent the clearest iteration of the Progressive argument against the Sequester, it was not selected.
__Title:__ Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Nomination to be US Secretary of State
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/759563
__Reason for Nonselection:__
Only high-profile, contentious nomination hearings should be included as "Key Speeches". Though John Kerry was a high-profile Senator and the position of Secretary of State qualifies as a major cabinet post, the lack of contentiousness or policy specificity in his nomination hearing opening statement rendered it unsuitable for selection.
__Title:__ Remarks by the President on American Energy -- Lemont, Illinois
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/770826
__Reason for Nonselection:__
Though the speech does address energy policy (even some controversial elements), it is ultimately a run-of-the-mill presidential stump speech. It also focuses on small-scale elements of the administration's energy policy, so it fails to distinguish itself as a "highlight" despite the fact that it comes from the President.
[[KeySpeeches Return to Key Speeches Overview]]
__Title:__ McCain, Graham, and Ayotte Release Statement on Benghazi Attack
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/768133
__Reason for Selection:__
This speech was selected because it addressed a topic receiving a great deal of news attention at the time (i.e. the 9/11/12 attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya). The statement was made by three of the most high-profile Senators criticizing President Obama on the Benghazi attacks. It is also clearly organized, easy to read, and lays out a cogent argument.
__Title:__ Cantwell's Remarks: Congressional Response to the National Congress of American Indians' State of Indian Nations Address
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/765467
__Reason for Selection:__
Though the speech does not focus on a particularly contentious policy issue, its broad focus on American Indian Affairs makes it perennially relevant. In addition, it was delivered by a major influencer of policy on this issue (the Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee) at a major, relevant venue (the National Congress of American Indians).
__Title:__ Statement by Inhofe on the Senate Floor on Liquid Natural Gas
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/769067
__Reason for Selection:__
The clarity and perennial relevance of the speech were the main reasons for its selection, as the specific topic itself lacked the characteristic of being highly contentious at the time of selection. Senator Inhofe is also enough of a leader on this issue (and from a state where Natural Gas is quite important) that the fact that he delivered it also helped this floor speech qualify for "Key Speech" status.
__Title:__ Remarks of President Barack Obama To the People of Israel
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/771371
__Reason for Selection:__
This speech is a slam dunk for "Key Speeches" purposes. Delivered by a sitting president on his first official trip to Israel, it speaks to a variety of major policy issues, and is quite clear, laying out a strong argument. It was also the most high-profile speech delivered by President Obama during his trip to Israel, garnering media attention for its content and surprising deviations from the script. It will surely stand the "Test of Time" and demands to be included in the "Key Speeches" archive.
====SPEECHES NOT SELECTED====
__Title:__ A Level Playing Field, an Equal Starting Line
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/771195
__Reason for Nonselection:__
Ultimately, this speech, though delivered by the Secretary of Education, was not particularly groundbreaking as it did not propose anything new. It was relatively clear and included specific facts and data, but did not qualify for "Key Speech" status because its subject matter and policy implications did not distinguish it as a "highlight".
__Title:__ The Progressive Caucus
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/769968
__Reason for Nonselection:__
This speech presents a clear argument from a set of Representatives who define the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives. It also focuses on a particular, contentious policy issue (the Sequester). However, because the speech itself was lengthy and cumbersome, and because it ultimately did not represent the clearest iteration of the Progressive argument against the Sequester, it was not selected.
__Title:__ Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Nomination to be US Secretary of State
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/759563
__Reason for Nonselection:__
Only high-profile, contentious nomination hearings should be included as "Key Speeches". Though John Kerry was a high-profile Senator and the position of Secretary of State qualifies as a major cabinet post, the lack of contentiousness or policy specificity in his nomination hearing opening statement rendered it unsuitable for selection.
__Title:__ Remarks by the President on American Energy -- Lemont, Illinois
__Link:__ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/770826
__Reason for Nonselection:__
Though the speech does address energy policy (even some controversial elements), it is ultimately a run-of-the-mill presidential stump speech. It also focuses on small-scale elements of the administration's energy policy, so it fails to distinguish itself as a "highlight" despite the fact that it comes from the President.
[[KeySpeeches Return to Key Speeches Overview]]
