Document Type
Preprint
Keywords
presidential rhetoric; George W. Bush; compassionate conservatism; presidential leadership; rhetorical situation; 9/11
Publisher
Nova Publishers
Publication Source
Issues in Political Discourse Analysis
Abstract
This essay presents a situational analysis of George W. Bush’s rhetoric of compassionate conservatism. It explores Bush’s regular use of this discourse to address a number of political exigencies that confront all presidents, such as displaying personal character, framing issues, and energizing national values. I examine Bush’s public discourse from the declaration of his presidential candidacy in 1999 to his 2002 State of Union address to illuminate the development of this rhetorical construct and identify how it was employed to address shifting rhetorical situations. While the language did not change over time, the purposes and meanings of compassionate conservatism were repeatedly altered in response to emerging exigencies. This suggests its value for Bush as a flexible, multidimensional tool of presidential rhetorical leadership.
Comments
Published by Nova Publishers in Issues in Political Discourse Analysis Volume 3, Issue 1, 2010, pages 1-21.
This is a pre-print copy of the article.