Cregg (Justice of the New York Supreme Court) This episode convinces me more than ever that you have the confidence of the people, that you are the man of the hour, and that with the united support of all its people, you are going to rehabilitate this great nation.įrank J. When your radio talk began everyone seemed to become hypnotized, because there wasn’t a word spoken by anyone until you had finished and as if one voice were speaking all spoke in unison “We are saved.” The frantic individuals of a few moments before declared that they would leave their money in the banks and that they were not afraid of the future. Yet some were frantic and expressed the hope that your message would be such as to allow them to withdraw their life savings from some of the local banks. They were unanimous, however, in agreeing that your Inaugural Address was a masterpiece, and that your message to Congress shot straight from the shoulder. There seemed to be a wide divergence of opinion as to whether or not you were going to make good and whether or not you had the confidence of the people. There was silence for a moment and then the discussion began. Cregg and myself when it was announced the radio that you were to talk on the banking situation in the United States at ten o’clock. Several neighbors (Republican and Democrat) happened to be spending Sunday evening with Mrs. Their letters also vividly convey the power of the new medium of radio to reach listeners and actively engage them in politics. The five letter writers included in this selection listened to this first Fireside Chat with friends and family in their living rooms and offices. High school students and state Supreme Court justices told FDR that his empathetic style and reassuring message helped them regain their confidence in the banking system and in government itself. He used these opportunities to explain his hopes and ideas for the country, while inviting the citizenry to “tell me your troubles.” The first broadcast set the pattern for the content and tone of the rest: FDR patiently and calmly explained the complexities of the nation’s banking crisis in a way that was understandable and accessible to the masses. Roosevelt made a total of 31 Fireside Chats from the initial days of his first administration to the dark days of World War II. “You have a marvelous radio voice, distinct and clear”: The Public Responds to FDR’s First Fireside Chat
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