This assignment has been really difficult for me, because I don't like coming right out and calling things BS, especially when I feel like I am in no authority to do so. But one individual who I find ridiculous and who I feel fits this assignment is Michele Bachmann. I was raised very conservative, and even my über conservative parents found her a joke. I distinctly remember a conversation I had with my dad, where he mused, "What kind of society do we live in where there is still a significant portion of the population that takes Michele Bachmann seriously?" Like a lot of other people, we were floored that she could get away with saying some of the things that she said...check out the site below for examples (and this site is just one of many!):
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/16/246618/bachmann-craziest-quotes/
But I decided to look at one of her speeches that she gave back in December of 2010 to try and figure out what exactly it was that she said to get people to listen to her. For reference, I used this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w0I1ulhtC8
One of the first things that I noticed about Michele Bachmann was a strategy used by many politicians: condescension of the other candidate, namely, Obama. This is appealing I think for people that don't like Obama or who feel disillusioned by him. I also noticed that she really tries to appeal to people as being woman in politics. She tries to make herself personable/amiable in the eyes of her supporters by cracking little jokes, spilling little anecdotes about herself, using the "we", and flattering her audience. Personality and rhetorical style are so important in politics, and i think that is the reason that Michele Bachmann stuck around for as long as she did.
Another important thing about Bachmann's appeal was that she was a face for a radical (read: tea party) movement as well, and even though it was often bordered on ridiculous, it was a change that people wanted to see and be involved with. Change, Change, Change! This was the buzzword of the last election that has carried on into the following years! People followed, because she was fiery in her promises for radical change. In a society that so desperately wants change, is some change better than no change and keeping a mediocre situation...mediocre? I think that Bachmann's followers would think so.
I can definitely see where you are coming from. Growing up I lived in her congressional district and whenever she opened her mouth I could only laugh at her comments. At the same time, she has certainly been an influential politician and she must find a way to appeal to a specific audience. After watching that video I also noticed her specific rhetorical strategies. She speaks in a very straightforward, average American tone that sounds 'real'. In this video she continually bashes the democratic politicians, campaigns, and policies. Overall, it is interesting to look at Minnesota politics and how polarized this state is between the republican and democratic parties.
ReplyDeletePolitics are dominated by rhetoric, and Michelle Bachmann is a great example. She knows exactly where she stands on the issues, and she uses language and other rhetorical devices to communicate with her audience. As far as Michelle Bachmann goes, and you point this out, she is just a woman who has had enough! Change! Everyday people unite! She hits on polarizing issues all the time and spins them in her own little way. Great piece of rhetoric to touch on for this assignment.
ReplyDeleteBut she has SUCH a following. I always take my own fury and repulsion as an index (with the sign reversed) of her appeal to that other side that I still don't have a clue about.
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