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President Clinton is trying to connect with his audience when he says:

A) "The anger you feel is valid, but you must not let yourselves be consumed by it."
B) "Let us let our own children know that we will stand against the forces of fear."
C) "We thank all those who have worked so heroically to save lives and to solve this crime."
D) "To my fellow Americans, beyond this, we owe those who have sacrificed the duty to purge ourselves of the dark forces which gave rise to this evil."

1 Answer

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Final answer:

President Clinton's statement acknowledges the audience's anger and guides them towards unity and resilience, relating to the national unity and increased presidential approval ratings experienced during crises like the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Step-by-step explanation:

When President Clinton attempts to connect with his audience by saying "The anger you feel is valid, but you must not let yourselves be consumed by it.", he is engaging in a strategy to comfort and inspire the nation in the aftermath of a national tragedy. This approach is considered to be part of the "rally 'round the flag" phenomenon, which is a unification of the population in times of threat or distress. His words aim to acknowledge the collective emotion of the nation while guiding citizens towards unity and resilience, as best exemplified after tragic events like the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks. During such times, presidents often experience increased approval ratings due to their role in leading the country through crises, embodying national sentiments and advocating for healing and solidarity against acts of violence and evil.

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