Read this excerpt from the speech. There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation may never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

Why does Kennedy ask and answer these questions in his speech?

It helps him advance his purpose: to demonstrate to the audience that the space race reflects the pioneer spirit that is an important part of the American legacy.

It gives him the opportunity to restate his purpose: to convince the audience that to lead in the space race is to affirm American values of risk taking and hard work.

It helps him support his purpose: to convey to the audience the importance of weighing the pros and cons of entering the space race before committing resources to the program.

It allows him to clarify his purpose: to persuade the audience to reconsider participation in the space race because of the potential conflicts it may cause.