Rhetorical Strategies Of Obama And Mccain

The 2008 U.S. presidential election was a pivotal moment in American political history. The election was between Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain, each trying to win over the American people. Both Obama and McCain used different ways of talking and communicating to convince people to vote for them, and these techniques are called rhetorical strategies (Nicotra, 2019). Rhetorical strategies include a range of techniques employed to effectively convey a message and connect with an audience. In the context of political campaigns, candidates may utilize ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) to persuade voters and help gain their support (Nicotra, 2019). During the 2008 election, the United States

This was meant to make him seem credible and trustworthy to the audience. In his speech, McCain also shared emotional stories, like his love for the country, to connect with people on a personal level. He wanted voters to feel a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty toward him. In his speech, he states, “I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn't a popular thing to do, and when the pundits said that my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war (C-SPAN, 2008)” John McCain uses effective communication to express his strong support for the Iraq War. He emphasizes his backing of what he believes is the correct strategy, even during a time when it wasn't popular. By stating that he would rather lose an election than see the country lose the war, McCain appeals to people's emotions and portrays himself as a principled leader willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good. This is why McCain's promises revolved around national security, strong leadership, and support for the Iraq War strategy. His audience valued patriotism and experience, connecting with his military service and emotional