Presidential Communication

By: Grant A. Gregga

What is it?

Now Listen here..

The Way Presidents convey messages to the public, the media, and Congress.

What is it?

Have you ever thought of it like this?

Different communication methods alter viewpoints and beliefs.

What is it?

Ultimately, a shift in discourse changes the political landscape based on the President’s message.

Who Uses It?

PRESIDENTS, of course.

Who Uses It?

ALSO,

Members of the White House Staff

&

Those who respond to media

So What?

Presidential communication sets administration policy and goals

Remember this goal…

So What?

Presidents can sway public opinion to politically pressure Congress.

So What?

Will establish Presidential authority in the legislative process

&

Promote the symbolic power of the office

So What?

Increased complexity between presidents, media, and the public.

Media is detrimental to presidential agendas.

So What?

Ultimately, the President’s communication method influences discourse on vital topics.

(I.E.- Healthcare, budgets, war)

So What?

Political communication has a direct impact on daily life.The President’s message may subconsciously affect your viewpoint.

Criticism

There have been too few studies on presidents’ specific use of language as a tool.

We want some mo’, we want some mo’!

Criticism

Two competing ideologies:

Traditional

VS.

Modern

Traditional Presidency

The president must be a proficient orator to sway public opinion Must be BOLD in rhetoric and unwavering

Modern Presidency

The president does not need to be rhetorically proficient.

No legislative compromise.

Policy aggression.

Further Disagreement

Some say the president has full control over the public and media.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Others say this power is not as great as it once was (Cannot fully control public).

Presidential Persuasion

National Addresses: The President’s best method of mobilizing public support.

Media leaks and administration interviews can have effects as well.

Presidential Persuasion

Priming- sets public agenda through increased news coverage on certain topics.

Friend or Foe?

Presidential Persuasion

Rhetoric- used to turn disadvantageous topics to advantageous through language.

Presidential Persuasion

Using rhetoric lacking “definitional standard”.

What is definitional Standard? …..

Definitional Standard

The commonly understood meaning and/or connotation a word carries with it.

Conclusion

Sway public opinion.

Communication- conscious or subconscious.

Complex, ever-evolving relationship between the president, media, and the public.

Credithttp://www.flickr.com/photos/8180173@N06/1487266479/sizes/o/in/photostream/http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3160/2522363238_40f03ca190.jpghttp://farm4.staticflickr.com/3070/2719970005_cc665a698f.jpghttp://farm4.staticflickr.com/3472/3404561598_3b381e9e84.jpghttp://farm5.staticflickr.com/4138/4734545741_d8ce3fb338.jpghttp://farm4.staticflickr.com/3524/3853718947_409da6d63a.jpghttp://farm1.staticflickr.com/10/16555265_cbcf9a8321.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6758288423_cdcf9d5e1d.jpghttp://farm3.staticflickr.com/2084/2062065781_4c3228df1d.jpghttp://farm6.staticflickr.com/5219/5386861192_4e4631f36f.jpghttp://87billion.com/dubya.jpg