english meaning of stump speech

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Meaning of stump speech in English

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• They held debates , gave stump speeches and ran advertisements to discuss their visions for the state .
• There were accusations that he plagiarized stump speeches from other politicians .
• He devoted more than a third of his stump speech to the subject .
• absentee ballot
• absentee vote
• absentee voter
• absentee voting
• enfranchisement
• entrance poll
• first-past-the-post
• proportional representation
• proxy voter
• vote of no confidence
• vote something through
• voting booth
• voting machine

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a computer program designed to have a conversation with a human being, usually over the internet

Searching out and tracking down: talking about finding or discovering things

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Definition of Stump Speech

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Stump speech is a term used today to describe a candidate's standard speech, delivered day after day during a typical political campaign. But in the 19th century, the phrase held a much more colorful meaning.

The phrase became firmly established in the early decades of the 1800s, and stump speeches got their name for a good reason: they would often be delivered by candidates who literally stood atop a tree stump.

Stump speeches caught on along the American frontier, and there are numerous examples where politicians were said to be "stumping" for themselves or for other candidates.

A reference book in the 1840s defined the terms "to stump" and "stump speech." And by the 1850s newspaper articles from around the United States often referred to a candidate "taking to the stump."

The ability to give an effective stump speech was considered an essential political skill. And notable 19th-century politicians, including Henry Clay , Abraham Lincoln , and Stephen Douglas , were respected for their skills as stump speakers.

Vintage Definition of Stump Speech

The tradition of stump speeches became so well-established that A Dictionary of Americanisms , a reference book published in 1848, defined the term "To stump":

"To Stump. 'To stump it' or 'take the stump.' A phrase signifying to make electioneering speeches.

The 1848 dictionary also mentioned "to stump it" was a phrase "borrowed from the backwoods," as it referred to speaking from atop a tree stump.

The idea of linking stump speeches to the backwoods seems obvious, as the use of a tree stump as an improvised stage would naturally refer to a location where land was still being cleared. And the idea that stump speeches were essentially a rural event led to candidates in cities sometimes using the term in a mocking manner.

The Style of 19th Century Stump Speeches

Refined politicians in the cities may have looked down on stump speeches. But out in the countryside, and especially along the frontier, stump speeches appreciated for their rough and rustic character. They were free-wheeling performances that were different in content and tone from the more polite and sophisticated political discourse heard in the cities. At times the speech-making would be an all-day affair, complete with food and barrels of beer.

The rollicking stump speeches of the early 1800s would typically contain boasts, jokes, or insults directed at opponents.

A Dictionary of Americanisms quoted a memoir of the frontier published in 1843:

"Some very good stump speeches are delivered from a table, a chair, a whiskey barrel, and the like. Sometimes we make the best stump speeches on horseback."

John Reynolds, who served as governor of Illinois in the 1830s , wrote a memoir in which he fondly recalled giving stump speeches in the late 1820s .

Reynolds described the political ritual:

"Addresses known as stump-speeches received their name, and much of their celebrity, in Kentucky, where that mode of electioneering was carried to great perfection by the great orators of that state.

"A large tree is cut down in the forest, so that the shade may be enjoyed, and the stump is cut smooth on the top for the speaker to stand on. Sometimes, I have seen steps cut in them for the convenience of mounting them. Sometimes seats are prepared, but more frequently the audience enjoys the luxury of the green grass to sit and lie on."

A book on the Lincoln-Douglas Debates published nearly a century ago recalled the heyday of stump speaking on the frontier, and how it was viewed as something of a sport, with opposing speakers engaging in spirited competition:

"A good stump speaker could always attract a crowd, and a wit combat between two speakers representing opposite parties was a real holiday of sport. It is true that the jokes and counterstrokes were often feeble attempts, and not very far removed from vulgarity; but the stronger the blows the better they were liked, and the more personal, the more enjoyable they were."

Abraham Lincoln Possessed Skills as a Stump Speaker

Before he faced Abraham Lincoln in the legendary 1858 contest for a U.S. Senate seat, Stephen Douglas expressed concern about Lincoln's reputation. As Douglas put it: "I shall have my hands full. He is the strong man of the party — full of wit, facts, dates — and the best stump speaker, with his droll ways and dry jokes, in the West."

Lincoln's reputation had been earned early. A classic story about Lincoln described an incident the occurred "on the stump" when he was 27 years old and still living in New Salem, Illinois.

Riding into Springfield, Illinois, to give a stump speech on behalf of the Whig Party in the 1836 elections, Lincoln heard about a local politician, George Forquer, who had switched from Whig to Democrat. Forquer had been generously rewarded, as part of the Spoils System of the Jackson administration, with a lucrative government job. Forquer had built an impressive new house, the first house in Springfield to have a lightning rod.

That afternoon Lincoln delivered his speech for the Whigs, and then Forquer stood to speak for the Democrats. He attacked Lincoln, making sarcastic remarks about Lincoln's youth.

Given the chance to respond, Lincoln said:

"I am not so young in years as I am in the tricks and trades of a politician. But, live long or die young, I would rather die now, than, like the gentleman," — at this point Lincoln pointed at Forquer — "change my politics, and with the change receive an office worth three thousand dollars a year. And then feel obliged to erect a lightning rod over my house to protect a guilty conscience from an offended God."

From that day forward Lincoln was respected as a devastating stump speaker.

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stump speech

• a political campaign speech, especially one made on a campaign tour.

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Word history and origins.

Origin of stump speech 1

Example Sentences

The story of Mayfield is the story of many small towns in this country, told again and again in campaign stump speeches and Bruce Springsteen songs, to the point that it sounds now more like myth.

In stump speeches, Youngkin often invokes Virginia’s roster of Founding Fathers to pledge a return to traditional values that empower individuals to succeed.

After park workers in Gastonia told Jackson that his portable loudspeaker was forbidden, Jackson hopped up on a picnic table and shouted out his stump speech.

The book reads like a 300-page stump speech in a one-man campaign to be elected Guy Who Knows the Most About Politics.

They are model citizens, the kind of people whose lives might be used as exemplary stories by a politician in a stump speech.

When Schwartz finally arrived, she gave a version of her sunny stump speech.

Lastly, at his speech last night, Cruz got lots of hoots and hollers for his stump speech about guns/growth/freedom.

Indeed, during his final stump speech of the campaign, Obama's cheeks were streaked with tears.

In his stump speech, he calls them “powerful, mean people.”

Thus, the interpreter, confusing the points of situation, transforms the monologue into a stump speech.

Taking out a wooden leg, he answered: "A stump speech agin the war."

If ye were to hear that fellow make a stump speech on States' rights, you'd think him a Samson on Government.

And for a wind-up you can give them a stump speech, and I'll bill you as Lew Dockstader, second.

They were not slow in claiming that he would make a better stump speech than any one at the county seat.

More About Stump Speech

What does  stump speech come from.

A stump speech is a campaign speech—a speech made to encourage people to vote for a politician.

The word stump can refer to a platform for making speeches. This use isn’t common, but this sense of the word is commonly used in a figurative way to refer to the place where political campaign speeches are made, especially in the phrase on the stump , as in The senator went out on the stump to try to win re-election. 

Stump can also be used as a verb meaning to campaign, as in He’s stumping in Iowa today or He has endorsed the senator and will be stumping for her.

The term stump speech most often refers to a speech made on a campaign tour. It most commonly refers to a speech made by the politician who’s campaigning, but it can also refer to a speech made in support of that politician. This person can be called a stumper .

Example: He uses the same stump speech at every campaign stop—he just changes the name of the city each time. 

Where does  stump speech come from?

The first records of the term stump speech come from around 1820. It was first and is primarily used in the U.S. The first records of the word stump to refer to a platform for speechmaking come from the 1770s.

Politicians are always making speeches. This is especially true when they’re trying to get re-elected. Calling a speech a stump speech indicates that it’s a campaign speech, but it also sometimes implies that it’s a bit formulaic and maybe just not that good.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for stump speech ?

• campaign speech

What are some words that share a root or word element with stump speech ? 

What are some words that often get used in discussing stump speech ?

• re-election

How is  stump speech used in real life?

Stump speech is always used in the context of politics. It especially refers to a speech made during a campaign tour.

#AKSen : One of the best stump speech lines by Dem Scott McAdams: Joe Miller "wants to repeal the 20th Century"! http://ssp.bz/axdnaX — Daily Kos Elections (@DKElections) October 1, 2010

Hillary builds to her tried and true stump speech line: "I'm a progressive who gets things done!" Crowd responds with inevitable whooooo! — Adam L. Penenberg (@Penenberg) February 6, 2016

If Justice Alito wants to give political stump speeches, he should step down from the Court once President-Elect Biden is sworn in and run for Congress. We need a constitutional amendment barring Article III judges from politicking. It is a tremendous conflict ofinterest. — Mike Fox (@foxmike90) November 13, 2020

Try using  stump speech !

True or False?

A stump speech is always made by the person seeking election.

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America 101: What is a Stump Speech?

Updated: August 21, 2018 | Original: September 26, 2016

Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for President Obama, sheds light on the formula for crafting a perfect stump speech.

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Jan 02, 2020

Stump Speech: The Ultimate Speechwriting Guide

by Martín Diego Garcia

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Stump Speech: Connect With Voters by Creating a Campaign Speech.

Here is our ultimate guide to writing a great stump speech. We all know that the candidate is the campaign’s best asset, and the stump speech is the best campaign tool for delivering a 7C’s (clear, concise, contrastive, connective, creative, compelling, consistent) message and personal story about the candidate and campaign. 

WHAT IS A STUMP SPEECH?  A political Campaign speech has been a staple on the campaign trail since the 1800s and is still a critical tool for modern day campaigns. Your stump speech should be the core message for you campaign and repeated at almost every campaign event or activity. A candidate should be able to repeat their stump speech in their sleep and might just start doing that involuntarily after delivering it a couple of hundred times. The speech should be a quick way for the candidate to answer the following questions for their audience:  

• WHO the candidate is? This should be a short introduction of the candidate’s name and a little background to humanize them to voters. Where you’re from, your family, your connection to the community?
• WHY they are running for this office? There should be a very clear and compelling connection between your person story and the collective challenge your community is facing that has prompted you to run for office. Tell a story about the issue(s) you’re running on. Who specifically is being harmed by these problems? 
• WHAT is the contrast/choice for voters? This is VERY important. You need to lay out your vision for the future and differentiate it from your opponent(s)’s idea for the future of your community. If there is no clear contrast the voters will not have a compelling reason to cast a vote. 
• WHAT is the ask for the audience? Lastly, you need a simple and specific ask for your audience. Do you need them to vote for you? Knock on doors? Donate to your campaign? And by when do you need them to do it? 

HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR STUMP SPEECH BE?  An average campaign speech given at an event, at the doors, on an interview can be between 5-10 minutes in length. However, most often a candidate has about 90 seconds to 3 minutes when on the campaign trail for an introduction. So be prepared! 

Think of the shorter version as a quick introduction like cliff notes or a synopsis. This can be used to start a conversation at the door or introduce yourself on the fly. For the longer version of the speech you are merely adding a little more context and color to the story depending on your audience. 

WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR STUMP SPEECH?  Here are the core campaign speech writing components that should be in your speech. They do NOT need to be in this order necessarily, but the speech should have a nature order that flows together. 

• INTRODUCTION: You need to have a hook to grab a person’s (peoples) attention right from the start (be careful with telling jokes unless you’re good at them) and then give the basics – your name and office you’re running for. 
• PERSONAL STORY: Weave in your personal story. What is your motivation for stepping up to run for office? What are the values you hold that are needed in the office or to solve this issue? But whatever your do, please DO NOT list off your resume. No one is interested in hearing that. Trust me.
• PROBLEM STATEMENT: Present a clear and relevant (to audience and electorate) issue that needs to be solved. What is wrong that needs to be fixed? (For incumbents, what needs more work OR to be protected?).  Why do you care about this issue and why is it relevant to the community at large? What is at stake for them? 
• SOLUTION/VISION: What is your solution to solving this program? What skills, experiences or qualities do you have that make you suited to solve this issue? Paint a picture for the audience about what their future could look like if this problem was solved. 
• ASK: What is it you need from the audience you’re speaking to? You need a clear and concise call to action that allows them to be part of your vision and get involved with your campaign. Do you need an endorsement? Donations? Volunteers? Votes? Tell them exactly how they can help be part of the solution. 
• Thank them for their time! 

WHY SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR PERSONAL STORY? 

Stories have been a part of civilization since the dawn of time. Stories have been used to pass down history through generations. It is also how we connect with each other through a shared humanity. It’s no wonder we’re all wired to engage with and react to stories that includes voters! Stories are all around us in books, TV, movies, music, news, brunch, literally everywhere.  As a candidate you’ll get much farther with your constituents by telling a story to show people your vision versus just throwing facts and data at them. 

Utilizing your personal stories can be extremely beneficial due to one thing: it makes you seem normal. One of the issues that America faces today is the lack of care for politics. Candidates who use their personal stories are able to create a positive feeling around their candidacy. Talk about yourself as a way to relate to your audience. Funny stories are great icebreakers. Lastly, and most importantly, always tell the truth. Especially in today’s technological age, it is much easier to find out if a candidate isn’t speaking the truth or is speaking in half-truths.

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE RUNNING? 

Voters want to know why you are running for office. They want to hear your motivation, so they can see if they trust you or not. Voters know what the problems in their communities are, so instead of repeating them back, tell them how they’ve affected you and your community. 

For example, if education is your core issues, don’t start by throwing out all the stats and facts about struggling, underfunded schools. Start by showing voters how this is affecting actual people, specifically children, talk about a student who was not able to reach their full potential because of the lack of funding or current policies in place. That way, you’re painting a picture and humanizing the issue for voters, so they see it more personally. 

WHY DO YOU NEED TO USE AN EMOTIONAL APPEAL? 

People are not rational beings and we often make decisions based on our emotions rather than the facts. If you look at the sweeping victories for Biden, Obama or Trump the one thing that connects them is that they both got voters to feel something. Biden campaign was based on empathy, Obama’s entire campaign was based on hope and aspiration, while Trump’s was based in fear and division. Two very different strategies but both based in telling emotionally captivating narratives. 

WHY SHOULD YOU AVOID LISTING OFF YOUR RESUME? 

We’ve all been there. Waiting to hear from a candidate and all we get is a rundown of their resume of accomplishment.  Spoiler alert: your degrees and awards won’t buy you love from voters. Yes, having them is important but defining yourself by them is not going to create an emotional connection with your audience. Your stump speech should show not tell your story. It should weave in your accomplishments as supporting evidence but not the main plot line. 

Remember that every  campaign speech will be different, but if you can speak from the heart and tell people your story, they are much more likely to remember you when it comes to casting their vote. So practice, practice, practice and if you need help please feel free to reach out to our team. 

Have questions about writing a stump speech? Drop us a note. 

Questions? Email Us

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6 Key Components of a Winning Stump Speech

As a candidate for elected office you’re going to be giving plenty of speeches, so you’ll need to have your stump speech down pat.

Strong public speaking conveys confidence and leadership to voters.  

It assures donors and supporters that you’re the right person for office.

Unfortunately, too many candidates are not good public speakers.

They don’t have a key message or theme.

Their words wander all over the place.

They don’t make sense and wind up confusing their audience.

I witnessed this the one night by a candidate who is running his own campaign.

He had good ideas. He had a solid resume.

His speech however did not effectively convey that he’s up for the job.

With a little fine-tuning he would be much better.

A good stump speech makes a huge difference in a candidate’s race, their fundraising, and in gathering endorsements.

That’s why I always work with my candidates on their stump speeches.

I’ve even turned the things I teach candidates into a premium course The Secrets of a Winning Stump Speech .

Most of my clients have never ran for office before.

They’re not used to public speaking, even in front of small groups.

Over the course of my career, I’ve noticed that there are six key components that make for a good stump speech.

If you follow these, you’ll be in good shape as a candidate and might even surprise yourself as a public speaker.

1.  Who You Are and What You’re Running For

Never assume that the voters know who you are.

They likely don’t.

Your mission as a candidate for office is to build your name recognition and support for your candidacy.

Even if you’ve been introduced by someone, always begin your stump speech by telling your audience who you are and the office your running for.

If you’re married, say so and tell them how long you’ve been married.

If you have children, list your kids and how old they are, and what kind of things they’re into.

Should your spouse, children, parents, or other family members be present, be sure to point them out by name and thank them for their support for your campaign — especially if it’s your spouse.

It’s a cardinal sin in the political world to not introduce or thank your spouse.

2.  Where You Come From

Voters like to elect real people from real places with real lives.

After you introduce yourself and the office you’re running for, tell them where you grew up, a little about your family life, and how that impacted your life.

If you’re running in a community where you’ve lived all of your life, or most of it, make sure that’s highlighted in your stump speech.

Mention the schools you went to, where you played sports, your first job in town, your favorite place to eat, or that your parents still live there.

This creates an instant connection with the voters and will make it easier for them to become supporters.

3.  What You’ve Dones

Experience matters to voters.

They want to know that you’ve accomplished something in your life.

In your stump speech, tell them about where you graduated from college (if you did), your military service (if you served), the jobs you’ve had (if you’ve never had a job or a business  — why are you even running?)

Voters want to know these things for two reasons:

1) it shows you can set goals and accomplish them

2) it demonstrates you’re not afraid of hard work

This is especially true in today’s political environment when the perception of elected officials is that they’re only in office to cash for themselves and their family members, rather than work hard and accomplish something for their constituents.

Have you noticed that critics of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump each use this line of attack?

Talk about your professional experience — the things you’ve done and learned that have prepared you for office.

If you volunteer or are active in community organizations, put this in your stump speech.

But please be careful not to come off as bragging.

That will turn off voters rather than endear them to you.

Yes, Donald Trump violates this admonition often, and it reflects negatively his approval ratings and poll numbers.

If Trump who can get away with so much that other candidates cannot is still damaged by this, don’t think you’ll fare any better.

4.  What You Want to Accomplish

Voters like candidates who have a plan.

They want to know why you’re running for office and what you intend to do once you’re elected.

The best way to clarify this is by understanding what your campaign is about in one sentence, as detailed in this article.

When giving your stump speech, incorporate your One Sentence into your remarks and build upon it.

It’s best to have three specific things you want to accomplish.

Your goals should align with three problems that need to be fixed.

Hopefully you’ve done some polling or other type of opinion research so you’ll know what issues and problems are foremost on your voters’ minds.

State each problem, describe how you’d like things to be better, and outline the steps you believe that can be taken to get there.

While you need to show that your plan is realistic, be careful not to get into too many specifics with your solutions to these problems.

While you need to know the specifics for when you are elected, and when people ask you for details, giving specifics and details in your stump speech will bore your audience.

Bored voters don’t convert into supporters.

Excited voters do, plus they tell their friends to vote for you.

5.  It’s Not About I, It’s About We

One of the biggest pitfalls candidates for elected office can face is making it all about themselves.

While you may be the one running, elections are not about candidates.

They are about voters.

Elections are where the voters get to have their say on people and policy.

If you make it about you, you’ll fall into the “I, me, mine” trap, become labeled as a “politician” and turn off the voters you need.

When giving your stump speech always change the word “I” to the word “we” when it’s possible.

Clearly, when talking about where you grew up, went to school, work, and your family, you’re going to use “I.”

But when you are talking about what you want to do in office, things that you’ve been a part of in your community, or accomplishments you were involved in as part of a larger organization, use the word “we.”

Speaking to your audience with the word “we” creates a bond and buy-in with your ideas.  That’s the effect that you’re after with your stump speech.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton severely violated this rule.

She had supporters say, “I’m with her.”

It didn’t work because she was asking the voters to focus on her as the candidate — rather than focusing on the voters and the shared mission they were on together.

Donald Trump spun that around masterfully and told his supporters “I’m with you.”

6. Close Strong

Closing your stump speech the right way is important.

After you’ve listed what you want to do in office, tell the audience that you can’t do this without their help.

Weaving “we” throughout your stump speech ties this in nicely for your finish.

If you’re talking to voters, ask them for their votes.

If you’re talking to donors, ask them for their contributions.

If you’re talking to leaders of an organization that endorses, ask them for their support.

There’s no reason for anyone to give you what you want unless you specifically ask for it.

As one professor I had always said, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

Make the ask then it’s time for you to go.

End by thanking your audience for their time.

Always do this. Tell them you appreciate taking the time to listen to you.

Grateful candidates tend to be winning candidates.

Candidate Take-Aways

If you follow these six rules you’ll be able to craft an effective stump speech.

Go figure yours out and write it out word for word.

After you write it out, go and learn it.

Learn it and practice your stump speech, but don’t memorize it.

You don’t want to come off like a robot.

If it helps, write an outline of our speech and refer to that when you’re speaking.

The first speech you give will likely be difficult and you may hate doing it.

That’s fine.

Keep giving your stump speech.

You’ll get better at it each time you speak.

Before you know it you won’t need an outline to refer to, you won’t be nervous, and people will be coming up to you when you’re finished telling you what a great speaker you are.

Now if you’d like to go deeper and learn exactly how to write, rehearse, and deliver a solid stump speech, t ap this link for instant access to the premium course Secrets of a Winning Stump Speech.

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Political Campaign And Stump Speech Examples Reveal The Candidate

Candidates for political office make stump or campaign speeches to help voters learn about themselves and their positions throughout the campaign. Here are some examples of political campaign and stump speeches.

In the dynamic world of politics, one powerful tool remains a constant in winning over voters’ hearts and minds: the stump speech. This iconic oratory tradition has shaped countless political campaigns, delivering a potent blend of charisma, policy promises, and persuasive rhetoric.

From fiery appeals for change to heartfelt tales of personal struggles, stump speeches have become the backbone of political communication.

This article explores compelling examples of stump speeches throughout history, unveiling their enduring impact on electoral campaigns and their crucial role in shaping the political landscape.

Table of Contents

What Is A Stump Speech In A Political Campaign?

A stump speech is a standard, rehearsed speech a political candidate delivers during their campaign. It typically outlines the candidate’s core message, policy positions, and personal background, aiming to connect with voters, inspire support, and differentiate themselves from opponents.

A stump speech is essentially an elevator speech where the candidate makes a pitch to constituents.

How Does A Stump Speech Vary From A Campaign Speech?

While a campaign speech is a broader, more comprehensive address covering various topics and contexts, a stump speech is specifically tailored to connect with local audiences during campaign stops.

A stump speech focuses on key themes, repeated consistently across different locations, with an emphasis on connecting personally with voters, conveying authenticity, and generating enthusiasm for the candidate’s platform.

What Should A Politician Say About Themselves?

Politicians should highlight their relevant qualifications, experience, and achievements when speaking about themselves , demonstrating their ability to address the issues. They should also convey their personal values, integrity, and dedication to public service, establishing trust and credibility with the electorate.

How Do You Start Off A Campaign Speech?

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens, I stand before you today with a deep sense of gratitude and determination to embark on a journey together toward a brighter future for our community.

“Thank you all for gathering here today as we embark on a transformative campaign to shape a better tomorrow for our beloved community. With your support and collective efforts, we can build an inclusive, prosperous future filled with opportunities for all.”

What Should You Say In A Campaign Speech?

In a campaign speech, it is crucial to articulate your vision, share specific policy proposals, and address the concerns and aspirations of your constituents. Highlight your experience, values, and dedication to serve while emphasizing the need for unity, progress, and collaborative solutions to tackle the challenges our community faces.

Here is an excerpt:

“In this campaign, we must address the pressing issues affecting our constituents daily, such as education, healthcare, and economic stability, while fostering unity and collaboration to create a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.

Together, we can bring about meaningful change, empower our citizens, and build a brighter future that reflects the hopes and dreams of each and every one of us.”

How Long Should A Campaign Speech Be?

A campaign speech should be concise and focused, aiming for around 5 to 10 minutes, allowing you to effectively communicate your message while maintaining the audience’s attention and engagement. Remember, it is crucial to prioritize quality content over excessive length to make a lasting impact on your listeners.

What Should You Do After Finishing A Stump Speech?

After delivering a stump speech, engaging with the audience is essential, and you must also show genuine interest in their concerns and feedback. Take the opportunity to connect with individuals, answer questions, and build relationships to establish trust and support for your campaign.

What Should Be Said In The Conclusion Of A Stump Speech?

In the conclusion of a stump speech, it is crucial to summarize your main points and reiterate your core message, leaving a lasting impression on your audience. You can also end the address by inspiring and rallying your supporters, calling them to action, and emphasizing how important their involvement is to the campaign.

Different ways to end a stump speech can include:

• Call to action: Encourage your audience to get involved, vote, volunteer, or contribute to your campaign, emphasizing the collective power of their actions.
• A personal story or anecdote: Share a heartfelt story your audience can connect with on an emotional level, reinforcing your commitment to their concerns and aspirations.
• Inspiring quote: Close your speech with a memorable and inspiring quote that encapsulates your campaign’s values or captures the essence of your message.
• Vision for the future: Paint a vivid picture of the future you envision for your community, highlighting the positive impact your campaign can make and leaving your audience hopeful and motivated.

The best way to end a campaign speech ultimately depends on your personal style, the context, and the specific objectives of your campaign. Consider what resonates most with your audience and aligns with your campaign’s tone and goals.

Stump Speech Examples That Define Candidates

These nine stump speeches are notable for their ability to connect with audiences, convey a powerful message, and leave a lasting impact on listeners:

• Barack Obama’s 2008 “Yes We Can” speech as presidential candidate became iconic, inspiring hope and calling for change. Ex-President Obama’s message of unity and progress resonated with millions of Americans.
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s history 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington advocated for racial equality and justice for African Americans. His powerful words continue to inspire generations.
• Delivered during World War II, Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” speech rallied the British people and affirmed their determination to resist Nazi aggression, symbolizing their resolve and resilience.
• Elizabeth Warren’s speeches on income inequality and economic fairness, such as her 2012 speech at the Democratic National Convention , have gained attention for advocating for a more equitable society.
• One of Donald Trump’s most notable stump speeches was the one delivered at the Republican National Convention in July 2016, where he formally accepted the party’s nomination for running for president. This speech emphasized his platform on immigration, national security, and job creation while highlighting his outsider status and promising to “Make America Great Again.” It resonated with many of his supporters and helped solidify his message during the campaign.
• One of Joe Biden’s most memorable speeches was his address in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in August 2020. In this speech, Biden presented his economic recovery plan, emphasizing the need for unity, addressing systemic racism, and rebuilding the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He focused on his vision for “ Build Back Better” and stressed the importance of creating jobs, supporting working families, and tackling the climate crisis.
• A notable Hillary Clinton speech was her address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. In this speech, Clinton accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president and focused on themes of unity, inclusivity, and progress. She discussed her policy proposals, highlighted her experience and qualifications, and called for the American people “to come together to address the challenges facing the nation.”
• Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” speech is often regarded as one of the most impactful political speeches in American history and played a significant role in shaping his political career and eventually leading to his own presidency in 1981. Reagan delivered this speech supporting Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign on October 27, 1964, just days before the U.S. presidential election.
• Abraham Lincoln’s most famous stump speech was his Cooper Union Address, delivered on February 27, 1860, in New York City. The speech primarily focused on the issue of slavery and its expansion, but Lincoln also touched upon foreign policy concerns. In the Cooper Union Address, Lincoln argued against the spread of slavery into new territories, emphasizing its moral and constitutional implications.

Adam Howarth

Adam covers the topic of Public Speaking for Digital Authority. From his first experience of oratory with his school debating society to his more recent experiences of promoting the local business scene in Wrexham, Wales, he has always been involved in public speaking.

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stump speech (n.)

"public political oratory," 1820, in Kentucky and Tennessee newspapers:

The plan ... was proposed, we are informed, in a stump speech delivered by the candidate, with loud acclamations of applause to a number of the electors of the county .... [Knoxville Register, June 27, 1820]

See stump (n.) + speech (n.). Stump oratory in reference to a style of political address is by 1809; stump-orator by 1805. In new settlements, large tree stumps were natural perches for rural orators, a custom attested in America from at least 1775. When used in the East or England, the term tended to be slighting.

Hence stump (v.) "electioneer by a political public-speaking tour, harangue from the stump, make stump speeches" (1838; stumping it is by 1836).

This meaning of the word arose from the frequent early use in the United States of a tree stump as a rostrum in open-air political meetings. It does not necessarily convey a derogatory Implication. [Century Dictionary, 1891]

Entries linking to stump speech

Middle English speche , from Old English spæc "act of speaking; power of uttering articulate sounds; manner of speaking; statement, discourse, narrative, formal utterance; language." It is a variant of Old English spræc , which is from Proto-Germanic *sprek- , *spek- (source also of Danish sprog , Old Saxon spraca , Old Frisian spreke , Dutch spraak , Old High German sprahha , German Sprache "speech"). See speak (v.).

The spr- forms were extinct in English by 1200. In reference to written words by c. 1200. The meaning "address delivered to an audience" is recorded by 1580s.

And I honor the man who is willing to sink

Half his present repute for the freedom to think,

And, when he has thought, be his cause strong or weak,

Will risk t' other half for the freedom to speak,

Caring naught for what vengeance the mob has in store,

Let that mob be the upper ten thousand or lower.

[James Russell Lowell, from "A Fable for Critics," 1848]

But when men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas — that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out. That, at any rate, is the theory of our Constitution. It is an experiment, as all life is an experiment. ... I think that we should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe and believe to be fraught with death, unless they so imminently threaten immediate interference with the lawful and pressing purposes of the law that an immediate check is required to save the country. [Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., dissent to "Abrams v. United States," 1919]

"sizeable part of a tree trunk left in the ground after felling," stumpe , implied from late 13c. in surnames; from mid-14c. as "remaining part of a severed arm or leg." It is from or cognate with Middle Low German stump (from an adjective meaning "mutilated, blunt, dull"), Middle Dutch stomp "stump," from Proto-Germanic *stubb- (source also of Old Norse stumpr , Old Frisian steb- "stump" (of a limb), Old High German stumph , German Stumpf "stump" of a limb or tree; also, from a variant *stumb- , Old High German stumbal , German Stummel "piece cut off").

This was reconstructed to be from PIE *stebh- "post, stem; to support" (see step (v.)), but Boutkan finds Pokorny's reconstruction "unlikely" and gives it no IE etymology.

By early 15c. as "remaining lower part of anything worn down or broken off, truncated part, part that remains after a main part has been removed." Stump-jumper "hick, hillbilly" is by 1936, American English.

mid-13c., stumpen , "stumble" over or as over a tree-stump or other obstacle (a sense now obsolete), from the source of stump (n.), perhaps via Old Norse or an unrecorded Old English word.

The word is attested from 1590s as "reduce to a stump, mutilate." The sense of "walk stiffly and clumsily," as if on wooden legs, is by c. 1600.

The sense of "baffle, bring to a halt by obstacles or impediments" is attested by 1807, American English (implied in stumper in "Salmagundi"). Perhaps it refers to the obstacles in plowing newly cleared land [OED], but compare an earlier sense of stump , "to challenge, dare" (1766), and compare stub (v.).

For the American English meaning "go on a speaking tour during a political campaign" (1838) see stump speech . Related: Stumped ; stumping .

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updated on September 13, 2023

Dictionary entries near stump speech

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Definition of stump

 (Entry 1 of 4)

Definition of stump  (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

Definition of stump  (Entry 3 of 4)

Definition of stump  (Entry 4 of 4)

• flog [ British ]

Examples of stump in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stump.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English stumpe ; akin to Old High German stumpf stump and perhaps to Middle English stampen to stamp

French or Dutch dialect; French estompe , from Dutch dialect stomp , literally, stub, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German stumpf stump

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

1581, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

1778, in the meaning defined above

1807, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stump

• on the stump
• stump speech
• stump - tailed macaque

Dictionary Entries Near stump

Cite this entry.

“Stump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stump. Accessed 19 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of stump.

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Kids Definition of stump  (Entry 2 of 2)

probably an altered form of earlier stump (noun) "a challenge"

Medical Definition

Medical definition of stump, more from merriam-webster on stump.

Nglish: Translation of stump for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stump for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stump

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Opinion | Donald Trump wants Paul Ryan fired. You can probably guess why.

The former republican speaker of the house is on the board of fox corp..

Former President Donald Trump wants Rupert Murdoch to fire Paul Ryan, the former Republican speaker of the House, from the board of Fox Corp. Why? Because Ryan says he won’t vote for Trump in November.

In a post on his Truth Social late last week, Trump wrote, “Rupert Murdoch should fire pathetic RINO Paul Ryan from the Board of Fox. Ryan is a loser, always has been, and always will be. He was the WEAKEST & MOST INCOMPETENT Speaker of the House in its History. Fox will sink to the absolute bottom of the pack if Paul Ryan has anything to do with it!”

Last Tuesday, Ryan was speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference when he said, “Character is too important to me. And it’s a job that requires the kind of character that he just doesn’t have.”

But that does not mean Ryan is endorsing or voting for President Joe Biden.

Ryan said he would write in another candidate instead, although he didn’t say who. He said, “Having said that, I really disagree with (Biden) on policy. I wrote in a Republican the last time, I’m gonna write in a Republican this time.”

Vanity Fair’s Bess Levin wrote , “Note: This is not the way to prevent Trump from becoming president.”

Ryan is just one of many Republicans who say they will not vote for Trump, but also are not voting for Biden, either.

Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence, won’t endorse his former boss, but said, “I would never vote for Joe Biden. I’m a Republican.” Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who made an unsuccessful bid to become the Republican nominee, said he won’t vote for Trump, but also won’t vote for Biden.

The Guardian’s David Smith wrote , “While such dissent from Trump and his authoritarian ambitions is welcome, critics say, refusing to support his opponent because of policy differences draws a false equivalence between them. If a significant number of Republican voters do likewise, not voting or writing in a name such as ‘Ronald Reagan,’ it could prove costly to Biden in a close election.”

Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman, told Smith, “I have zero respect for guys like Chris Christie, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan who come out and say. ‘I’m not gonna vote for Trump but I won’t vote for the only guy who can beat the guy who’s unfit.’ To me, that’s cowardly. What they’re doing is staying relevant as Republicans. They want to run again as Republicans.”

Walsh added, “Here’s the deal. If, as a Republican, you say I’m voting for Joe Biden because Trump is unfit, you end your career as a Republican. I did that five years ago. (Former congressman) Adam Kinzinger did that this past year. Then you end your relevance as a Republican. Guys like Chris Christie, Paul Ryan, Mike Pence don’t want to give that up. It’s purely a political decision.”

Addressing the future

MSNBC president Rashida Jones gives the commencement address at the University of District of Columbia on Saturday. (Courtesy: Patricia McDougall)

MSNBC President Rashida Jones gave the commencement address at the University of the District of Columbia, an HBCU in the nation’s capital, on Saturday.

Jones told the graduating class, “I know a number of you are first-generation graduates. You are setting the example in your own families and communities. That pressure — the pressure of being a first or only — is a privilege. There is a certain responsibility when you are the first to do something. I have personally seen it and felt it. But that pressure means you are doing something extraordinary.”

Jones also talked about journalism, adding, “Pressure comes in all shapes and sizes in a role like mine. As journalists, we are writing the first draft of history and a lot of responsibility comes with that. I lead an organization that values the First Amendment and the power journalism has in putting a mirror up to the world. It is important for all of us, in each of our ways, to hold the powerful accountable and to leave the world in a better place because of it. That responsibility that pressure empowered journalists like Ida B. Wells and Ethel Payne to lay down a foundation for fundamental change and inspire the modern civil rights movement.”

And another speech …

There was another notable commencement address on Saturday as comedian Jerry Seinfeld spoke at Duke University. That speech did include some boos, as well as students leaving, as part of anti-war protests that took place on college campuses across the country. Most reports said the number of walkouts was in the “dozens.” The Associated Press said the number was about 30 out of 7,000.

NBC News Doha Madani wrote , “It’s unclear whether the booing was intended for Seinfeld or the student protest, or potentially both, but chants of ‘Jerry’ were heard shortly after. Seinfeld was later able to deliver his speech uninterrupted.”

Seinfeld also received an honorary degree from Duke — where his daughter previously graduated and his son currently attends. Madani wrote, “Seinfeld, who is Jewish, has been vocally supportive of Israel and visited the country following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.”

In recent interviews promoting his new Netflix movie, “Unfrosted,” Seinfeld stirred up some controversy. In an interview with The New Yorker , Seinfeld claimed “the extreme left and P.C. crap” killed comedy on television.

The Daily Beast’s Corbin Bolies wrote , “Seinfeld’s speech largely steered clear of his recent public scuffles, focusing instead on jokes surrounding the students, AI, and his honorary degree. In a riff on the idea of privilege, though, he made specific mention of his heritage to loud cheers.”

That mention from Seinfeld: “I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian.”

Shooting for ratings

The Caitlin Clark Show returns this week. The college basketball sensation who set scoring records on the court and helped boost TV ratings will return to the court and television screens. She will make her WNBA debut Tuesday night in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

And even though there’s plenty going on in the sports world, including the NBA and NHL playoffs, the WNBA is hopeful Clark can catapult TV ratings to new heights.

The Wall Street Journal’s Rachel Bachman has a good breakdown of the so-called Clark effect in “Caitlin Clark Is Already the GOAT of TV Ratings.” Bachman’s reporting shows that Clark’s impact on TV ratings provides a bigger boost than even many of the great transformative athletes such as Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods.

Bachman writes, “But Clark didn’t just push up the audience of her own games. She also elevated the expectations for her sport as a televised product. Even viewership of non-Iowa games in the tournament jumped 76% year-over-year.”

Bachman rightly notes that trying to compare viewership numbers across history and sports is very much an inexact science, but there’s no question that Clark has had a profound impact on women’s college basketball. In addition, this could be the most pivotal moment in WNBA history.

Zahra Skaik, a Palestinian woman featured on Monday’s “Face the Nation” on CBS. (Courtesy: CBS News)

If you get a chance, make sure to check out this special feature that CBS’s “Face the Nation” did for Mother’s Day. Moderator Margaret Brennan talked with Zahra Skaik, a 44-year-old Palestinian woman who was living in Gaza City and managed to escape the war thanks to her sons, one of whom is an infantryman in the United States Army.

Skaik described how she left Gaza with nothing but a small backpack and the same clothes she had been wearing since the war began.

Remembering a legend

Roger Corman, a cult and B-film producer and director, died over the weekend. He was 98. NPR had a perfect description of Corman: a B-movie legend who launched A-list careers.

Corman produced more than 300 films and directed 50 or so, including low-budget horror films, such as “A Bucket of Blood,” “The Masque of the Red Death” and the original “The Little Shop of Horrors.”

However, The New York Times’ Aljean Harmetz notes that Corman went on to produce films for up-and-coming young directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Peter Bogdanovich and Ron Howard. Corman also gave Jack Nicholson his first movie role. Those are just a few of the examples.

Harmetz wrote, “In addition to being remembered for the opportunities he gave young filmmakers, Mr. Corman was renowned for his ability to make movies with almost no money and even less time.”

Corman received an honorary Oscar in 2009.

Media tidbits

• Speaking of Caitlin Clark, Front Office Sports’ Owen Poindexter with “Behind the Scenes of a New Caitlin Clark Docuseries.”
• The New York Times’ Ryan Mac, Jack Nicas and Alex Travelli with “Elon Musk’s Diplomacy: Woo Right-Wing World Leaders. Then Benefit.”
• You need a Los Angeles Times subscription for this one: Meg James with “Shari Redstone was poised to make Paramount a Hollywood comeback story. What happened?”
• In an op-ed for The New York Times, Mark Penn, a pollster and an adviser to President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton from 1995 to 2008, and chairman of the Harris Poll, with “Biden Is Doing It All Wrong.”
• Also in The New York Times, Lulu Garcia-Navarro with “Charlamagne Tha God Won’t Take Sides.”
• Robert Costa’s feature on “CBS News Sunday Morning”: “Bill Maher on not pulling punches.”

More resources for journalists

• Delve more deeply into your editing skills with Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing .
• Beat Academy offers eight trainings for one low price.
• Work-Life Chemistry six-week newsletter course: Ditch work-life balance for a more sustainable approach.
• Understand U.S. Immigration From the Border to the Heartland — Start any time.

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected] .

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Opinion | We’re set for the presidential debates. Now what?

The first debate is set for June 27, much earlier than usual. It will appear on CNN. Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate.

The World Health Organization’s pandemic plan won’t end free speech

A draft of the WHO’s pandemic accord says that the document will be used with respect to individual’s personal freedoms

Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa, experts on democracy and AI to lead GlobalFact as keynote speakers

Other speakers at the fact-checking summit include Steve Levitsky, Nikita Roy and Craig Silverman

Opinion | Q&A: Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on the perils of covering war

Yingst, 30, has spent the past several years in some of the most dangerous places in the world.

Opinion | Planning a town hall with candidates? Try a reverse town hall instead.

They spend so much time talking. It’s their turn to listen.

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