The Nuclear Option
- FDR again bucks tradition by suggesting something unorthodox: even greater executive powers.
- He basically says, "Look, we're waging a war here. A war against the depression. So I'm going to need a lot of power."
- He goes on to say that the public should trust him not to go all despotic with that power.
- Then he gets warm and fuzzy and tells Americans that we'll face down the coming challenges with a little good, old-fashioned American togetherness.
- He's not trying a power grab, he says again. He just thinks it's obvious that the American people have elected him because they want someone who will take serious action.
- And he's proud to be put in that position.
- He closes by asking for God's blessing and guidance—he says that he'll need it.