Professional Clip 15: Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech
Richard Nixon makes a famous emotional appeal (an appeal to pathos) by
explaining that the only personal gift he received while in office was a dog named Checkers. Nixon gave this speech while he was a senator running for the vice-presidency amid accusations that he had unethically accepted a sum of money from campaign supporters. After giving a full disclosure of his personal assets, Nixon effectively appeals to pathos by showing care for a much-loved family pet.