Appearances in Office
Public appearances of politicians once elected to office play a role in the way they are perceived by the public. The way they dress, speak, and act change based on the event they are attending. These appearances are meant to establish a connection with the constituents, oftentimes by making the politician appear more approachable.
After 9/11
George Bush's Bullhorn Speech, given to emergency crews working at Ground Zero on September 14, 2001, was a calculated event. 9/11 was the first attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor, and everyone in America was on edge and very aware of that fact. By September 14th, emergency crews had been working for three days in the aftermath of the attacks. Bush establishes his ethos in several ways. First his casual clothing makes him appear approachable, like an American that is experiencing this tragedy as well. Second, by giving his speech with a bullhorn and without a podium, Bush sets himself equal with the people on the ground. Finally, his arm around the fireman (whose ear he is yelling into), not only makes him appear as an equal, but also sympathetic to their effort. Bush also makes the obvious appeal to pathos in remembering the loss of life.
FDR's Fireside Chats
FDR's Fireside Chats were the first real connection a President made regularly with his constituents. These chats were broadcast over the radio and were wildly popular among the population. During many of these broadcasts FDR made an effort to connect with his audience by using inclusive language and speaking in layman's terms. This particular broadcast from March 12, 1933, pertained to the Banking Crisis during the Great Depression. In doing these broadcasts, FDR hoped to educate the population while simultaneously gain their support.
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Talk Shows
Since the 1990s, Presidents have been appearing on talk shows and comedy shows. Some see this as a breech of Presidential etiquette, but others begin to see the President as more of a normal person instead of a politician. However, when appearing on talk shows, no matter how many jokes they make, the President will generally have a specific program they are promoting. The fact that comedy plays a role in this promotion can be seen as a strategic move. The younger generation is especially receptive to a down-to-earth politician, and appearing on a talk show can be very effective. President Obama is known for appearing on talk shows to establish a "personal brand", to make himself appear more approachable.
Party Conventions
Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker, spoke are the Conservative Political Action Convention. When asked how he would combat ISIS if elected President, Walker responded that he is concerned about his children, and he understands parents' concern for the safety of their children (appeal to pathos and ethos), and therefore would like a strong, confident leader. He goes on to say that if he can "take on a hundred thousand protesters, he can do the same across the world." This appeal to ethos and logos is a reference to his union busting actions in Wisconsin. This statement received a lot of backlash because workers lobbying for fair treatment cannot really be compared to radical islamists. Because of this statement, Walker will most likely not receive the GOP nomination should he announce his candidacy in the 2016 election.
White House Correspondents' Dinner
The White House Correspondents' Dinner takes place annually. This event is one of the more comedic political events of the year because its purpose is purely for news agencies and political figures to poke fun at each other. The President, especially, benefits from this dinner, showing Americans that they do in fact have a sense of humor and can be less formal.