While Reading "A Rhetorical Situation" by Lloyd Blitzer, I couldnt help but laughing at a portion of text in the first few pages of his essay. He mentions the fact that "each reader probably can recall a specific time and place when there was an opportunity to speak on some urgent matter, and after the opportunity was gone he created in private thought the speech he should have uttered earlier in the situation." When I read this I couldnt help but point out that there have been many times in history that the reader had probibially wished he had not said something when he did, and as a result it formed a negative rhetoric that was used against him either deliberately or unintentionally.
The best example I recalled was during the 2004 Democratic Presidential Nomination, when Howard Dean was speaking at a rally about the future of his campaign and in a moment of over-enthusiasm, he uttered a gutteral "BYAHHH!!!!" on live television. This 30 second clip served as the end of his campaign as the audience simply could not take him seriously after the endless press storm surrounding the event. He eventually lost the nomination, but gratefully provided a terrific example of rhetorical backfiring. Blitzer hit the nail on the head when he stated that "every audience at any moment is capable of being changed in some way by speech," and it truely does occur wither intentional or not on the speakers part.
I love the picture and I think this is a perfect example of how rhetoric can influence an audience. Everything can go how you want it, but the second you slip up you have your audience questioning their choice in candidate. Politicians are perfects examples of how rhetoric can go how you want it, or backfire against you. Another example of backfire is George Bush, who would constantly butcher rhetoric and leave the audience questioning his intelligence. Or in Obama's case, leave the audience convinced that you are the perfect candidate through the use of nicely formed rhetoric.
ReplyDeleteInteresting points, Daniel. From what I gathered, rhetoric behaves like a loaded pistol. It's a great tool, but last thing we want is to shoot ourselves in the foot.
ReplyDeleteThis goes to show that the demand for rhetoric has risen considerably with the invention of the television. Our every word can be broadcasted to nearly every family in our nation, and, like all presidential elections, shape the world.
This is a great post. I remember seeing this clip on television right after it happened. I laughed hard as I watched it again and again. I think this guy was so jacked up on rhetoric he spontaneously lost control. All that's to say it provided quality entertainment for us all.
ReplyDeleteGREAT cartoon. Started laughing immediately when I saw your post. Couldn't agree more, I'm sure old Howard was contemplating his way over-the-top speech right after he gave it. Unfortunately for him his one mistake probably did cost him the nomination just because he lost a lot of credibility after the fact.
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