Is this a good opener for a short essay? ?

Question

The question is; "Baker cites the Truman campaign of 1948 as the last example of plain talk. What do you think has happened since then to account for our supposed love of fancy, overdone language?"

And this is how I started it, using what part of his speech Baker provided in his essay and involving the question, I want to know if it sounds alright since I don't usually begin any writing with a quote but I felt it could work for this.

“My name’s Truman. I’m President of the United States and I’m trying to keep my job,” the simplistic statement began the Truman campaign of 1948 as well as Baker’s last recorded example of plain talk, which was sixty years ago.

Answer 1

yeh if your being graded I would begin with your own words, maybe a retorical question and then lead to the quote

Answer 2

You can use a quote to begin an essay but the statement following it should probably have a punch in it or have an understated opinion.

"My name's Truman. I'm President of the United States and I'm trying to keep my job." (Cite here) This simplistic statement beginning the Truman capaign of 1948 ..

i can't think of how to finish it. sorry.

I think people will get that 1948 was sixty years ago.. right?