At the time Long gave this speech, it led to an absolute uproar of popular support for the Kingfish. His office was overrun with letters and he published a best-selling book on his plan for his first days in the White House in the wake of this surge. (Uh, getting a little ahead of yourself, bud?)

Millions of Americans began hopping on the Share Our Wealth train, and by the summer of the following year, there were 7.5 million Share the Wealth Society members. About 25 million Americans tuned in to his radio broadcasts, and he got more mail than the president (source).

…Until Long was killed, and it all went up in a puff of gunpowder.

The speech is still considered a model of oratorical magic, as are most of Long's speeches, and there are still plenty of folks, especially in Louisiana, who would agree with Long's essential message in this speech. But the rampant corruption and abuses of power that led to the state of emergency and open rebellion in those last few weeks in Louisiana…well, it's not hard to see why Long's reputation has taken a bit of a hit. These days, people see less magician and more ambition.