A rhetorical analysis : to be or not to be a viable vice-presidential candidate that is the question, J. Danforth Quayle.

This study analyzes the factors that directly influence the 1988 vice-presidential campaign rhetoric of J. Danforth Quayle, a turbulent campaign in which serious questions were raised in regard to Quayle's qualifications and competence as a viable vice-presidential candidate. The study investigates the links between the man, his self-image and three of his rhetorical artifacts. In addition, it analyzes Quayle's strategies to improve his political image, his rhetorical problems, and floundering campaign. Chapter One discusses the study's phenomenologically oriented approach to rhetorical criticism, reviews the literature written about Quayle and his campaign, and offers a justification for the importance of the study. The chapter's explanation of the phenomenological approach provides a solid methodology by which to evaluate Quayle's image-making rhetoric. Likewise, the literature on Quayle and the 1988 Republican campaign is evaluated based upon the influence that it had on the rhetor's image and his rhetorical artifacts. Chapter Two develops a selective biographical sketch of Quayle, stressing those points that directly influence his personal and political philosophy as well as his rhetoric. It analyzes the relationship of the rhetor's character, philosophy, and self-perception inasmuch as it bears upon his swift climb to the second highest office in the land. Chapter Three discusses the rhetorical problems Quayle had to face during the initial stages of the campaign. It briefly discusses the reasons behind Quayle's selection as the vice-presidential nominee and the justification for it. Furthermore, political obstacles that the Quayle campaign faced are analyzed--his unsubstantial political image, his questionable intellect, and his family's political influence. Finally, the chapter evaluates Quayle's ability to counter these problems and to adjust his political image in order to look vice-presidential. Chapter Four presents a discussion on three pivotal campaign artifacts that represent Quayle's strategic attempt to salvage his political image. These three artifacts are studied on the basis of their importance to, and representation of, the campaign: The Bush-Quayle joint press conference following Quayle's nomination, the acceptance speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention, and the Omaha vice-presidential debate. This chapter contains an evaluation of Quayle's various rhetorical strategies and image-building techniques that he used to overcome his political lightweight image. The theme of this chapter is that Quayle's image is as much a function of what people project to him as of his efforts to project to them. Chapter Five offers several concluding thoughts about J. Danforth Quayle's rhetorical image as well as the study's limitations and implications for future research in this area.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Sullivan, Thomas Edward.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bass, Jeff Davis, 1951-

• Quayle, Dan, 1947-
• Vice-Presidents -- United States -- Election.
• United States -- Politics and government -- 1981-1989.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14313

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14313