Today’s lesson in rhetoric…
How will the president deal with the ancient concept of kairos (timing and proportion) in his speech at the UN today? When he last spoke to the world body, he delivered a blistering speech about WMDs that did not persuade them to join our military cause. Now, he comes back asking for help rebuilding Iraq, and the dreaded WMDs–the primary reason for the invasion according to the previous speech–appear to have been destroyed as originally requested. A little contrition might go a long way today.
Bush finds himself in an unenviable rhetorical situation. Aristotle would tell him that his first priority is to persuade his audience to view him and his request favorably–establish good ethos. The previous speech and the rush to war have made this difficult to achieve. Plus, an American president and his advisors are likely to interpret this situation (incorrectly) as requiring “leadership.” The UN will not appreciate such an ethos today.
I wonder about Bush’s attitude following this statement (from a FOX News transcript):
I will make it clear that I made the right decision and the others that joined us made the right decision. The world is a better place without Saddam Hussein. The U.N. is going to be — has a chance to be more effective as a result of 1441. That’s the resolution that said if you don’t disarm there will be serious consequences. At least somebody stood up and said this is a definition of serious consequences.
Is that what the UN wants to hear? It sounds like more “leadership” to me, or “clarity of vision” as some Bush defenders are calling it. A good rhetor takes into account what his audience wants before he speaks. That does not suggest a speaker must compromise his principles. It means he must be cognizant that his goals (persuasive and substantive) require the agreement and willing participation of the audience.
There is one important aspect of this situation working in Bush’s favor: The UN is unlikely to want Iraq to deteriorate. The world body has every incentive to see that we complete this victory.
