Bob Dole Rhetorical Analysis

Who was the best candidate in the Nineteen Ninety-six Presidential debate? This essay will be an analysis of the Presidential debate and will be critiquing Bob Dole, using rhetorical analysis tools. The first televised United States Presidential Debate occurred in nineteen fifty-six with Adlai Stevenson and Dwight Eisenhower. However, this debate was not attended by the candidates but rather former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Maine Senator Margaret Smith. The Presidential Debate offers the Presidential candidate the opportunity to gain popularity among the voters. The Nineteen Ninety-six Presidential Debate on October 6, 1996, was between Democratic party candidate Bill Clinton and Republican party candidate Bob Dole. Democratic Clinton

From 1971 to 73, Dole served as chairman of the Republican National Committee under President Richard M. Nixon (Britannica). As stated earlier, this essay will be critiquing Rob Dole using rhetorical analysis tools including Logos, Ethos, Pathos, and Kairos. Aside from the rhetorical analysis tools, argumentative fallacies will also be used in critiquing Rob Dole during the presidential debate. The Presidential debate opens with Bill Clinton and Rob Dole standing in silence waiting for the debate to begin. Dole’s opponent Clinton opened by notifying the audience that he will not be insulting Dole and keeping the debate professional. Clinton then thanked Dole for his service to the US community. Dole’s opening statement gave the audience a sense of empathy and trust with him, stating he is honored to be the Republican nominee, and he understands what makes America the greatest place. Like Clinton, Dole stated he would also like to keep this debate professional. Both candidates used the Pathos and Ethos tactic to show that they put their values above the competition, but also having the professionalism to do that gains the audience’s