This study argues that the 2008 presidential campaign provided a setting in which Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin began using the rhetoric of victimage——presenting herself as the victim of unfair ...This study argues that the 2008 presidential campaign provided a setting in which Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin began using the rhetoric of victimage——presenting herself as the victim of unfair media coverage. This study analyzes Palin＇s rhetoric using a three-step approach to Burke＇s concept of victimage： （1） identification of self as victim, （2） identification of a scapegoat who can be blamed for the victim＇s problems, and （3） catharsis or tragic dignification. The results of the analysis indicated that Palin＇s rhetorical strategy emerged during the 2008 election and was fully functional by the time she resigned as Alaska Governor in July 2009. Eventually, victimage rhetoric became her most constant rhetorical theme. Her approach was only partially successful, increasing her positive image among Republicans but contributing to a negative image among Democrats and independents.展开更多
This study examined the impact of Mormonism on the 2008 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. Romney faced a situation that reminded observers of John F. Kennedy＇s 1960 campaign. In 1960, Kennedy faced doubts about h...This study examined the impact of Mormonism on the 2008 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. Romney faced a situation that reminded observers of John F. Kennedy＇s 1960 campaign. In 1960, Kennedy faced doubts about his Catholicism while Ronmey faced questions about the Mormon religion. Kennedy faced those doubts directly with a speech in Houston, Texas late in the campaign. Romney tried to do the same thing with a speech on his religious beliefs early in the primary campaigns. Kennedy＇s speech was effective, and he went on to win the presidential election. Romney＇s speech was not effective, and he was out of the race within two months. Kennedy＇s speech directly addressed the public＇s questions about Catholicism, while Romney＇s speech was an appeal for religious tolerance. The speech is examined in terms of the Pharisee Effect, a hypothesis which argues that religious appeals in politics failure if they are over used. Some voters were turned off by the negative image of his religion--a response consistent with the fanaticism backlash of the Pharisee Effect. Others may have reacted negatively to his perceived inauthentic attempts to reach out to evangelicals--a move that is consistent with the intentionality dimension of the Pharisee Effect. The Mormon issue did not become an issue in the 2012 election; Romney avoided it by simply not talking about his religion.展开更多
文摘This study argues that the 2008 presidential campaign provided a setting in which Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin began using the rhetoric of victimage——presenting herself as the victim of unfair media coverage. This study analyzes Palin＇s rhetoric using a three-step approach to Burke＇s concept of victimage： （1） identification of self as victim, （2） identification of a scapegoat who can be blamed for the victim＇s problems, and （3） catharsis or tragic dignification. The results of the analysis indicated that Palin＇s rhetorical strategy emerged during the 2008 election and was fully functional by the time she resigned as Alaska Governor in July 2009. Eventually, victimage rhetoric became her most constant rhetorical theme. Her approach was only partially successful, increasing her positive image among Republicans but contributing to a negative image among Democrats and independents.
文摘This study examined the impact of Mormonism on the 2008 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. Romney faced a situation that reminded observers of John F. Kennedy＇s 1960 campaign. In 1960, Kennedy faced doubts about his Catholicism while Ronmey faced questions about the Mormon religion. Kennedy faced those doubts directly with a speech in Houston, Texas late in the campaign. Romney tried to do the same thing with a speech on his religious beliefs early in the primary campaigns. Kennedy＇s speech was effective, and he went on to win the presidential election. Romney＇s speech was not effective, and he was out of the race within two months. Kennedy＇s speech directly addressed the public＇s questions about Catholicism, while Romney＇s speech was an appeal for religious tolerance. The speech is examined in terms of the Pharisee Effect, a hypothesis which argues that religious appeals in politics failure if they are over used. Some voters were turned off by the negative image of his religion--a response consistent with the fanaticism backlash of the Pharisee Effect. Others may have reacted negatively to his perceived inauthentic attempts to reach out to evangelicals--a move that is consistent with the intentionality dimension of the Pharisee Effect. The Mormon issue did not become an issue in the 2012 election; Romney avoided it by simply not talking about his religion.
