George W. Bush's rhetoric and the interpretation of 9/11

9/11 and Public Communication, Political Rhetoric & Leadership

I always thought that George W. Bush was one of the least competent leaders America has ever had. His speeches always seemed to me to be simplistic, devoid of complicated analysis, incoherent, but nevertheless occasionally funny. Reading John Murphy's "Our Mission and Our Moment' George W. Bush and September 11" made me re-think my evaluation of the 43rd President of the United States. Bush was a master of persuasion. It might not have been his personal skill but rather his advisers', but the fact remains that for a moment after 9/11 his popularity was unrivalled. Murphy shows that Bush specifically used a political rhetoric that allowed him to dominate the interpretation of 9/11. To a large extent, he was successful. This is remarkable, given the fact that his interpretation, as I look back and analyze it, was ridiculous. His September 20, 2001, speech had nothing to do with reality; it was a pure persuasion campaign, intended to exploit the tragedy for supporting wars and almost dictatorial Presidency. I have even less respect for that President now.

Although Murphy's discussion of Presidential rhetoric makes me wary of the power of rhetoric, I agree with David Zarefsky who argues in his article "Presidential Rhetoric and the Power of Definition" that we should not judge the efficacy of Presidential rhetoric solely based on the case of George W. Bush. Zarefsky analyzes the use of rhetoric by eight U.S. Presidents, from George Washington to Bush II. Zarefsky convincingly argues that Presidential rhetoric is a complex process, involving writers, speakers, audiences, and critics. He also argues that the effects of rhetoric can be understood as an invitation to respond. Although I am wary of Presidential rhetoric, I can appreciate why a President might resort to this tool. Even if we do not trust a specific President, there is no denying that they know things we do not. It must be necessary for them, from time to time, to persuade the nation. The use of a persuasive rhetoric in this instance may be justified. And especially when a President uses rhetoric to invite a response from the audience and critics, as Zarefsky notes, I can appreciate the President's intention.