Employs Kenneth Burke's pentad to examine rhetorical choices made by former U.S. Congressman George Hansen as he dramatized two situations: his felony conviction and his subsequent reelection bid. Suggests that Hansen's rhetoric was largely effective because it resulted in substantial identification with the voters of Idaho's Second Congressional…

Indicates mixed support for the hypothesis that editorial sections publish a positive ratio of favorable to unfavorable commentary about endorsed candidates and a negative ratio of favorable to unfavorable commentary about unendorsed candidates. Suggests that editorial sections in some newspapers may be more internally balanced in their political…

Compares the content of female candidates' political spot ads with that of ads for a control group of male candidates in similar contests. Concludes that the biggest differences were in images, with females less likely to stress strength and more likely to stress compassion. (FL)

In June 1997 a 25-minute television interview program, "The SAU Report," was born at Southern Arkansas University. In January 1998 a 15-minute radio news program titled "SAU Magazine" was produced by Advanced Radio Production students. As 1998 began, with coverage available for SAU student broadcasts, it made sense to encourage…

Analyzes selected 1992 Year of the Woman political ads in the light of the 1980s theory and practice which suggests that women should present both their public and private worlds to voters. Finds that women used more appeals from the private world, in fragmented, polyphonic narratives. (SR)

Educators should adopt 21st-century goals for elected officials. By 2000, all public servants will be ready to serve the public, increase their speeches'"truth" rate, balance the budget, avoid special-interest pressures, adequately finance education and health, become knowledgeable enough to lead the U.S. global economy and guarantee…

Examines two recent Wyoming elections in which Democrats did much better than expected. Discusses the economic and political context of Wyoming, the two campaigns, and why different types of voters supported specific candidates. Suggests that election results were influenced by economic crisis, political alienation, and candidates' political…

The author, a political candidate, describes campaigns as events allowing citizens to assess candidates' knowledge of community problems. He documents the adversarial nature of a candidate's self-education and explores the relationship of the intellectual content of the political process to community development. (SK)

Examines the influence of party affiliation on voter learning and perceptions of candidates' images and issue stances; the manner in which image-based cognitions interact with learning; and the way image and issue perceptions are interrelated in voters' minds. Indicates that image and issue perceptions interact and are often integrated via…

Objective: To consider sex roles in public speaking through the conversational style of modern-day political rhetoric. Type of speech: Informative. Point value: 15% of course grade. Requirements: (a) References: 3; (b) Length: 5-7 minutes; (c) Visual aid: No; (d) Outline: Yes; (e) Prerequisite reading: Any biographical information found on the…

This study employs NES (National Election Survey) data from several presidential elections to investigate the effects of presidential debate watching on voters' issue knowledge, character evaluation, and vote choice. Debates can instill issue knowledge; however, voters are less likely to learn about incumbent presidents seeking re-election after a…

Scholars can learn much from analyzing discourse within a statewide political debate. A study used W. R. Fisher's theory of narrative rationality to analyze the first intra-party debate (April 16, 1990) between Republican candidates for Governor of Arkansas, Sheffield Nelson and Tommy Robinson, to ascertain the narrative rationality employed by…

The 1988 vice presidential campaign became a quagmire for Dan Quayle and the National Republican Party. To regain their footing and rehabilitate Quayle, the Republicans adopted two classic strategies for coping (often studied in the academy): rhetorical apologia and minimal exposure. During the campaign, an accusation was made that Quayle used his…

This 44-item bibliography, limited to the television era of American politics, is intended to assist teachers of debate, argumentation, and political communication; researchers of campaign debates; and debate sponsors and participants. Scholarly books and monographs; public affairs books, monographs and papers; academic articles and chapters from…

When looking back at the 1998 presidential debates, political reformers should reconsider the sponsorship and direction of future presidential debates. There is no debate about the need for presidential debates, especially in light of the increasing involvement by media handlers, but the debate should continue over which institution should…