Rhetoric of Jimmy Carter

1. Rhetoric of Jimmy Carter

2. Images of Carter pre-election • In 1973, only four years before his election, Carter was virtually unknown to the public. • In 1976 primaries, Carter’s image as a winner was based on plurality, not majority victories. He received many votes from those people for whom he had been second or third choice, but whose first choices had dropped out or were perceived unable to win. • Campaign stressed qualities of character, such as trust, love, and compassion, more than issues.

3. Images of Carterpre-election • Betty Glad notes that there was widespread uncertainty about what Jimmy Carter stood for and about what he would do as President. • Public opinion viewed Carter as ruthless, a poor administrator, self-righteous, and lacking a sense of humor. • Anderson concludes that his win was based upon the fact that he was the nominee of the democratic party, and less upon his personal appeal.

4. Carter as President • Would pride himself on being an open president close to his public. • Less pomp and ceremony with foreign leaders • Chauffeur services for White House aides were eliminated. • Included “average Americans” as 5 to 10 percent of the guests invited to state dinners. • On trips would stay overnight in the homes of typical Americans who had written the White House about some problem.

5. Carter’s Rhetoric(Patton) Transcendence, Charisma (effectively expressive-imposing on environment with courage and self-confidence) Social/Political Transformation through recognition of fundamental human existence. In his acceptance speech, Carter noted, “If we can only have a government as good as our people are…” Religious and biblical references are prevalent-Inaugural Address, several small speeches declaring “the most important thing in my life is Jesus Christ,” and “I’m a devout Christian”

6. Carter’s Rhetoric • Dominant theme conception of people as possessing innate moral quality, competence, and potential for the future. • In his autobiography, he states “I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment.” • Through this characterization of the people, Carter hoped to underscore the nature of politics at the time and to recover trust in the government among the people (particularly after Vietnam and Watergate) • Most importantly, Carter felt that transcendence comes from an inner awakening, and thus, through focusing on the inner qualities of the people rather than external characteristics, Carter hoped to facilitate transcendence.

7. Inaugural Address • Very beginning of speech, Carter focuses on inner self and inner strength. • Immediately refers to bible, and makes biblical reference. • Idea of transcendence is reflected in “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." • Also immediate focus on people and not issues to provide a “new spirit” for the country. • Self-definition, again reference to inner self • Refers to moral duties, reflecting his investment in human morality.

8. Inaugural Address • Strong emphasis on renewed spirit and faith in our country, government and policies • Emphasis on idealism, but not weakness, attempts to restore faith in government by portraying it as ideal, strong, and renewed. • Little focus on policies and more on people and what he as president will do to restore moral strength and belief in the government. • Last sentence states that Carter wants belief in our nations “moral strength” and in the American dream.

9. 1980 State of the Union(Bostdorff) • Carter commented basically that the state of the union was bad because the state of the world was bad. • Given during hostage crisis in Iran, thus exemplifies some crisis rhetoric. - “we will not fail” -”the US will not yield to blackmail” - very idealistic, yet not as pragmatic as should be to comfort the public.

10. 1980 State of the Union • Focus on situation in Soviet Union, to meet and challenge soviet power, but also to look for ways to keep the peace. • Discussion of SALT I and SALT II, yet still very idealistic in that we will not abandon the issue of nuclear weapons. More toughness on issues needed for American public. • “The most serious threat to peace since the second world war” was largely criticized. • Exaggeration is the enemy of sensible foreign policy.

11. 1980 State of the Union • In the latter part half of the speech, Carter emphasized the necessity of continuing his policies, expressing achievement in international relations (Camp David Accords) and stressing human rights and energy conservation. • Restates what he said in his Inaugural- “to be strong abroad, we must be strong at home” • Again, as in the Inaugural, states that our country has a new spirit in hopes of unifying the people on his policies. • Notice no biblical references.

12. 1980 State of the Union • All in all, a failure. • Did not convince the Iranians to return the hostages, did not influence the Russians to withdraw from Afghanistan, and did not persuade people that Carter was touch enough to be allowed to direct America’s fight against her enemies in the coming years.