Comments on: Obama’s Rhetoric http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2009/01/21/obamas-rhetoric/ A multi-disciplinary blog about what makes cultures "thick": public discourse, multiculturalism, technology, and civic engagement. Fri, 25 May 2012 06:01:26 +0000 hourly 1 By: jose marichal http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2009/01/21/obamas-rhetoric/comment-page-1/#comment-884 jose marichal Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:49:11 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/?p=515#comment-884 I think what's distinctive about him is how he was able to deconstruct his opponent's attack. He'd always start by repeating an opponent's claim against him and then deliver some humorous one liner. Remember calling Clinton Annie Oakley. I'm also fascinated by his sprinking of hip-hop references in his rebuttals. Remember him using the Jay-Z "should brush" in the primary. I think what’s distinctive about him is how he was able to deconstruct his opponent’s attack. He’d always start by repeating an opponent’s claim against him and then deliver some humorous one liner. Remember calling Clinton Annie Oakley. I’m also fascinated by his sprinking of hip-hop references in his rebuttals. Remember him using the Jay-Z “should brush” in the primary.

]]> By: dwaisane http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2009/01/21/obamas-rhetoric/comment-page-1/#comment-881 dwaisane Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:12:41 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/?p=515#comment-881 Another reason “the One” meme didn’t stick was that Obama, quite simply, knocked down the objection with the counter-meme of “I’m not a miracle worker”—which he’s used on many occasions to re-frame himself. By countering with this assertion, he’s infused his rhetoric with a bit of political humility that’s hard to attack. There’s a reflexivity in his speech-making that seems to allow him to make lofty statements without appearing too lofty himself. I think we’re going to learn a great deal more about rhetorical inoculation during this Presidency. I wonder how we might be able to distinguish this kind of media inoculation from the self-deprecating moves of Bush II and the “Teflon” tendencies of Reagan? Another reason “the One” meme didn’t stick was that Obama, quite simply, knocked down the objection with the counter-meme of “I’m not a miracle worker”—which he’s used on many occasions to re-frame himself. By countering with this assertion, he’s infused his rhetoric with a bit of political humility that’s hard to attack. There’s a reflexivity in his speech-making that seems to allow him to make lofty statements without appearing too lofty himself. I think we’re going to learn a great deal more about rhetorical inoculation during this Presidency. I wonder how we might be able to distinguish this kind of media inoculation from the self-deprecating moves of Bush II and the “Teflon” tendencies of Reagan?

]]> By: kenneth M. Kambara http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2009/01/21/obamas-rhetoric/comment-page-1/#comment-877 kenneth M. Kambara Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:43:14 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/?p=515#comment-877 I think it is harder to attack someone who isn't one-note. I mean that in terms of public perceptions, rather than reality. I think his detractors do attack him on the memes of celebrity, cult figure, or messiah, but these aren't resonating. Right now, his message is "on-code." The question is what will happen if the administration stumbles. I think it is harder to attack someone who isn’t one-note. I mean that in terms of public perceptions, rather than reality.

I think his detractors do attack him on the memes of celebrity, cult figure, or messiah, but these aren’t resonating. Right now, his message is “on-code.” The question is what will happen if the administration stumbles.

]]> By: jose http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2009/01/21/obamas-rhetoric/comment-page-1/#comment-873 jose Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:09:16 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/?p=515#comment-873 I don't think he wants to be "sound-bitten." I think all this Web 2.0 stuff he's doing is largely an end-around the mainstream media. I don’t think he wants to be “sound-bitten.” I think all this Web 2.0 stuff he’s doing is largely an end-around the mainstream media.

]]> By: andrew m. lindner http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2009/01/21/obamas-rhetoric/comment-page-1/#comment-872 andrew m. lindner Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:16:35 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/?p=515#comment-872 It's good and bad for him. On the one hand, it does defy would be out of context quoters. But it also makes him less easy to sound bite. Hence, all of yesterday's comments that there was no "nothing to fear" or "ask not" type line. Of course, President Obama may not be terribly interested in being so recognized. It’s good and bad for him. On the one hand, it does defy would be out of context quoters. But it also makes him less easy to sound bite. Hence, all of yesterday’s comments that there was no “nothing to fear” or “ask not” type line. Of course, President Obama may not be terribly interested in being so recognized.

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