American Rhetoric: Online Speech Bank
This is an index to and growing database of 5000+ full text, audio and video (streaming) versions of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates, interviews, and other recorded media events. It's a fascinating collection, so beware of losing many hours as you watch moving political speeches--both recent and historical, as well as outstanding speeches from films such as Ghandi and Elizabeth.
Annenberg Political Fact Check
A nonpartisan, nonprofit project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.Monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players with the goal of increasing public knowledge and understanding.
IDEA Debatabase
The International Debate Education Association (IDEA) develops, organizes and promotes debate and debate-related activities in communities throughout the world. Established in 1999 to coordinate pilot debate programs initiated by The Open Society Institute, IDEA acts as an independent membership organization of national debate clubs, associations, programs, and individuals who share a common purpose: to promote mutual understanding and democracy globally by supporting discussion and active citizenship locally. Issues and language are more European than American, e.g. "conscription" instead of "draft."
Gifts of Speech: Women's Speeches from Around the World
Index of speeches by contemporary women from around the world. Currently contains several hundreds of speeches of about 70 women ranging from: Andrea Dworkin to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Queen Elizabeth to Rigoberta Menchu, and Janet Reno to Phyllis Schlafly.
Presidency Debates [Univ. of California, Santa Barbara]
A great resource for Presidential Candidates Debates from 1960 to 2004.
Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues
"Promotes informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan primarily pro-con format."
Public Agenda on Line
Scroll down to Issue Guides and make your selection. Each guide contains an overview and statistical charts. In the "Consider the Choices" section, click "read more" for Perspectives in Brief. Click "Perspectives in Detail" for arguments on what should be done.
Toastmasters
This website lists individual Toastmasters clubs throughout the country. Toastmasters is an organization that offers free practice and instruction for those interested in practical experience in delivering speeches.
YouTube
For best results, search the name of the political figure that interests you plus the word "speeches." But here too some entertainment figures serve as powerful examples of good speaking. See, for example, the "(Craig) Ferguson Speaks From the Heart."