Controversy led about 85,000 speakers to drop out of commencement talks 1964 . Lyndon Johnson : It would be a shame if colleges only invited those who give bland , inoffensive speeches . Today , liberals can certainly look back at the speech for inspiration , finding a powerful set of arguments to use to justify government intervention through programs such as the minimum wage , health care , and green jobs . Commencement speeches can be an opportunity to introduce bold ideas , he says . President Julian Zelizer made a stirring case in this year for his vision of a `` Great Society ''
Controversy led about 85,000 speakers to drop out of commencement talks 1964 . Lyndon Johnson : It would be a shame if colleges only invited those who give bland , inoffensive speeches . Commencement speeches can be an opportunity to introduce bold ideas , he says . President Julian Zelizer made a stirring case in this year for his vision of a `` Great Society ''