LECTURE VIII: PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE DISCOURSE

Dr. Christopher Malone Associate Professor of Political Science Pace University

I. Functions of Debate Discourse During a Debate

What candidates say in a debate have three basic functions, each contributing to the goal of accumulating enough votes to win the election. Elections and debates are inherently comparative: a voter chooses among two or more candidates, and the candidate who appears preferable (on whatever criteria are most important to each individual voter) will receive that person's vote. Accordingly, the rhetorical situation facing candidates for political office encourages them in a debate to:

Acclaiming, Attacking, Defending

enhance their own credentials as a desirable office-holder (Acclaiming), downgrade their opponent's credentials as an undesirable office-holder (Attacking), and, if their opponents attack them, to respond to those attacks (Defending).

Acclaiming, Attacking and Defending can occur in two different ways during a debate

1. policy/issues, 2. character/image. 1. Policy/Issues A. past deeds, B. future plans, and C. general goals
2. Character/Image A. personal qualities, B. leadership ability, and C. ideals

Debate Strategy
Policy/Issues
Acclaim Candidates acclaim on past policies, future policies, and general goals

Character/Image
Candidates acclaim on personal qualities, their leadership ability and their ideals

Attack

Candidates attack opponents Candidates attack opponents on past policies, future on personal qualities, their policies, and general goals leadership ability and their ideals Candidates defend themselves on past policies, future policies, and general goals Candidates defend themselves on personal qualities, their leadership ability and their ideals

Defend