The Rhetorica Network offers analysis and commentary about the rhetoric, propaganda, and spin of journalism and politics, including analysis of presidential speeches and election campaigns. This site features the Rhetorica: Press-Politics Journal web log, comprehensive news media links, a rhetoric textbook, a primer of critical techniques, and information for citizens. The character of Rhetorica represents the purposes and canons of classical rhetoric. --Andrew R. Cline, Ph.D.
A new CBS News poll of 910 adults says that 66% of Americans, or at least of those polled, can’t name even one Democratic presidential candidate. I’m having a difficult time getting my head wrapped around that one.
What does that result mean? Does it comment on the public’s priorities, its attention span, its media habits, its sense of humor? (via PoliticalWire)
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Dr. Andrew R. Cline
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Missouri State University
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: The search for drama…
I think this says a lot about the average person’s interest in politics and current events.
Bruce, I think that’s a good answer (among many possible answers). It about matches the percentages of people who do and do not vote.
Possibly. I would estimate 66 % of my 113 students couldn’t tell me who the vice-president was and certainly a handful were unaware of The Leader. But, I think it also indicates the degree to which The Leader dominates the media. The only way The Leader can fail is if the media stops supporting him, which I see as unlikely. This election could well be a non-event.