Question

When I took the oath of office, I pledged loyalty to only one special interest group–"We the people." Those people–neighbors and friends, shopkeepers and laborers, farmers and craftsmen–do not have infinite patience. As a matter fact, some 80 years ago, Teddy Roosevelt wrote these instructive words in his first message to the Congress: "The American people are slow to wrath, but when their wrath is once kindled, it burns like a consuming flame." Well, perhaps that kind of wrath will be deserved if our answer to these serious problems is to repeat the mistakes of the past.

–President Ronald Reagan
April 28, 1981

Which audience does President Reagan appeal to in this part of the speech?

the American people
American business leaders
government workers
government officials

Answer 1

the American people

He directly invokes "We the people" and lists neighbors, shopkeepers, laborers, farmers and craftsmen, appealing to ordinary citizens.