Bush spoke at Mount Rushmore today. I think that a president should prepare a more eloquent speech than the usual pablum when speaking before the majestic images of great predecessors. Venue matters. If it didn’t, legions of communications professionals wouldn’t be employed to place flags, placards, and warm bodies in photogenic locations for presidential speeches. And what a natural venue Mount Rushmore is! Bush used the word “challenge” 14 times in rambling remarks. It’s too bad he didn’t rise to the challenge of those former presidents. I wonder if rock can wince. I’ve added a short analysis of this speech to Presidential Campaign Rhetoric 2004.
The Rhetorica Network
I offer commentary on the rhetoric of the American conversation, especially as it unfolds in documentary film, the news media, and politics. Check out my feeds on Twitter and Instagram. Also be sure to see my work at Carbon Trace Productions, a non-profit documentary film studio in Springfield, Missouri. I am a Professor of Media & Journalism at Missouri State University. I teach classes in mobile journalism and documentary filmmaking.
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