Inauguration: The times demand a great speech

Presidents and their speechwriters have turned to common rhetorical devices over the centuries to make inaugural speeches effective.

A dose of humility is thought to go a long way, for one. Jefferson may have taken that to an extreme, starting and finishing his first inaugural speech by talking about his shortcomings and begging forgiveness for all the mistakes he was about to make.

Some have used repetition. FDR anchored his second inaugural address on "I see," as in "I see millions of families trying to live on incomes so meager that the pall of family disaster hangs over them day by day."

Richard Nixon repeatedly chose "Let us," as in, "Let us measure what we will do for others by what they will do for themselves."

Teddy Roosevelt used alliteration, declaring "we shall not prove false to the memories of the men of the mighty past."

Reagan evoked sounds. He asked Americans to imagine Lincoln pacing hallways, the crunch of a patriot falling to his knees in the snow of Valley Forge, the pioneer headed west and singing. "It is the American sound," Reagan said, "this most tender music."

In times of war, peace, plenty or economic misery, it must also be stated that America can solve its problems and find a better tomorrow.

"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America," Bill Clinton said.

As FDR unforgettably put it: "Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

That was his way of saying, "Yes we can."