“We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace—business and financial monopoly, Source speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering. They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob… They are unanimous in their hatred for me—and I welcome their hatred.”
These words, spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, still echo with astonishing force. They are not just a relic of a bygone era. Instead, they represent a masterclass in political communication. FDR’s declaration remains a powerful example of how a leader can turn opposition into a source of strength. By embracing the animosity of his powerful adversaries, he forged a stronger bond with millions of everyday Americans.
A Nation in Crisis: The Context of the Quote
To truly understand the quote’s impact, we must travel back to 1936. Campaign Address at Madison Square Garden, New York City The United States was deep in the throes of the Great Depression. Millions of people remained unemployed. Families faced poverty and uncertainty. President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs offered a lifeline. These programs aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform. However, they also sparked fierce opposition.
Powerful business interests and financial leaders viewed the New Deal with alarm. Source They saw it as a dangerous overreach of government power. They argued that his policies stifled free enterprise and threatened the American way of life. As the 1936 presidential election neared, this opposition grew into a coordinated campaign against him. They poured money into defeating a president they considered a traitor to his class. It was in this supercharged atmosphere that FDR stepped onto the stage at Madison Square Garden. He delivered the speech on October 31, 1936, just days before the election .
Drawing a Line in the Sand
FDR’s speech was not an olive branch. It was a declaration of war. He directly named his opponents: monopolies, reckless bankers, and war profiteers. Furthermore, he accused them of seeing the government as their personal tool. By framing the election as a battle between “organized money” and the will of the people, he created a clear and compelling narrative. He was not just running for re-election. He was fighting for the soul of the nation.
His final line was the masterstroke. “I welcome their hatred.” This statement transformed their attacks from a political liability into an asset. It told voters that the people who caused their suffering were the same people who despised him. Therefore, his enemies were their enemies. This created an incredibly powerful sense of solidarity. It positioned him as the fearless champion of the common man, willing to absorb the attacks of the elite on their behalf.
The Modern Political Playbook
The echoes of FDR’s rhetoric are unmistakable in modern politics. The strategy of defining and embracing a powerful enemy remains a central tool for leaders across the political spectrum. This approach taps into a deep-seated human need for clear narratives of good versus evil. Politicians today often identify their own versions of