Lecture VIII Understanding Presidential Debates Dr. Christopher Malone I.

Functions of Debate Discourse During a Debate What candidates say in a debate have three basic functions, each contributing to the goal of accumulating enough votes to win the election. Elections and debates are inherently comparative: a voter chooses among two or more candidates, and the candidate who appears preferable (on whatever criteria are most important to each individual voter) will receive that person's vote. Accordingly, the rhetorical situation facing candidates for political office encourages them in a debate to 1. enhance their own credentials as a desirable office-holder (Acclaiming), 2. downgrade their opponent's credentials as an undesirable office-holder (Attacking), and, if their opponents attack them, 3. to respond to those attacks (Defending). Acclaiming, Attacking and Defending can occur in two different ways during a debate: either on grounds of 1. policy/issues, and 2. character/image. 1. Policy/Issues: a. past deeds, b. future plans, and c. general goals 2. Character/Image a. personal qualities, b. leadership ability, and c. ideals Debate Discourse - Strategy Acclaim Attack Defend Policy/Issues Candidates acclaim on past policies, future policies, and general goals Candidates attack opponents on past policies, future policies, and general goals Candidates defend themselves on past policies, future policies, and general goals Character/Image Candidates acclaim on personal qualities, their leadership ability and their ideals Candidates attack opponents on personal qualities, their leadership ability and their ideals Candidates defend themselves on personal qualities, their leadership ability and their ideals

II. Four Aspects of a Debate In any debate, there are at least four aspects which students need to be mindful of all of which are happening simultaneously. They are: 1. 2. 3. 4. The argumentative, The rhetorical, The journalistic, and The historical.

1. The Argumentative: questions to be examined here include a. the clash or lack thereof between candidates, b. the nature of claims made by the candidates, and c. the logical coherence of the arguments presented. 2. The Rhetorical: includes a. the ways in which debates function as campaign strategies, b. the rhetorical impact of specific stylistic choices, and c. the rhetorical function of the debates within the broader democratic context. 3. The Journalistic: a. yields questions on broadcasting form and techniques, b. the effect and role of "spinning," and c. the dissemination of debate information (campaign spokespersons). 4. The Historical: a. enables the student to place a debate within the context of an individual candidates career as well as within the collective context of presidential debates across the decades (for example: past deeds vs. future choices; reference to past presidential debates).