In class we were shown advertisements of two candidates for the 2014 Pennsylvania Governors Election. After viewing republican incumbent Governor Tom Corbett's campaign advertisement and democratic challenger Tom Wolf's campaign advertisement our class was asked to do a rhetorical analysis on each video. In this post I will give my personal initial response to each advertisement along with our classes collaborative rhetorical analysis and also touch on possible research questions that these advertisements may intrigue you to investigate further.
Governor Tom Corbett
My initial response to this add was that he was trying too hard. I feel as if all politicians are liars and only want to look after themselves. To me this whole ad was very cold although he was slightly dressed down to possibly seem more relaxed it had the opposite effect on me. It was as if he was speaking at his audience instead of to them. There were a lot of facts about his current term as acting governor to gain credibility but to me that was just like bragging, personally if he has done such great things for our communities why not let certain individuals speak about how Corbett has helped them.Based off of this advertisement I do not see myself voting for Tom Corbett I understand he may have done good things in the past and I would love to save money but he wasn't believable to me and I think there are plenty of other people that could have accomplished the same tasks if not more if they were in office.
Context: 2014 Pennsylvania Governors Election - Republican Incumbent
Purpose: To inform his audience of what he has done and persuade them to vote for him
Message: VOTE FOR ME! Trust me I'll save you money!
Ethos (Credibility): Since he is acting Governor and has done what he said he would do, he has established credibility. He makes himself appear to be the approachable, everyday man by the way he speaks, his attire, and the places he visits in the video. And since he is the only one speaking to people in this ad he is showing he can be a leader (or like most politicians he just likes to hear himself speak)
Logos (Logic/Reasoning): In Corbett's advertisement he states statistics and his accomplishments. He repeats the words reduce and save to emphasize them.
Pathos (Emotion): Corbett appeals to the publics emotion by believing they will trust his persona as the everyday man (folksy), he appeals to the fear of losing money and government overreach
Context: 2014 Pennsylvania Governors Election - Republican Incumbent
Purpose: To inform his audience of what he has done and persuade them to vote for him
Message: VOTE FOR ME! Trust me I'll save you money!
Ethos (Credibility): Since he is acting Governor and has done what he said he would do, he has established credibility. He makes himself appear to be the approachable, everyday man by the way he speaks, his attire, and the places he visits in the video. And since he is the only one speaking to people in this ad he is showing he can be a leader (or like most politicians he just likes to hear himself speak)
Logos (Logic/Reasoning): In Corbett's advertisement he states statistics and his accomplishments. He repeats the words reduce and save to emphasize them.
Pathos (Emotion): Corbett appeals to the publics emotion by believing they will trust his persona as the everyday man (folksy), he appeals to the fear of losing money and government overreach
Tom Wolf
My initial response to this add was that it made me smile I loved that he got his family involved it showed that he is a family man and appealed to me on an emotional level because I would think he would somewhat understand the struggles of the american family in 2014. I also enjoyed that his family and people from the community spoke on his behalf it makes him more genuine. Although there were not statistics or experience in this field he seems very intelligent and well educated and is offering a new of different kind of governor in which change is extremely needed. Tom Wolf came off as not only smart but as hard working, approachable member of society, like he is a regular guy. I would vote for Tom Wolf because he came off as more honest he had more credibility to me because real people were speaking on his behalf has a family and seems as though he cares for them just like us with our families he was a breathe of fresh air especially knowing he donated his check to people in need and that he doesn't drive a company paid car were just more unneeded plusses.
Context: 2014 Pennsylvania Governors Election - Democratic Challenger
Purpose: To inform his audience of what he will do and persuade them to vote for him
Message: VOTE FOR ME! I will be a different type of governor a fresh start!
Ethos (Credibility): He gains credibility as the everyday man by having his family around, driving his own jeep instead of a company vehicle, his attire, since he grew up in central Philadelphia. His remarkable credentials (went to MIT, obtained a PhD), he is a successful blue collar business owner. He donates his time and money and people gave testimonials on his behalf.
Logos (Logic/Reasoning): He is a family man who is highly educated, and a successful business owner.
Pathos (Emotion): He appeals to the publics emotions by trusting that with his personal accomplishments that he is the right person that could lead us to a better future.
Reseach Questions:
Where does each candidate stand on education?
Where does each candidate stand on fracking?
What were the promises made by Tom Corbett last election and how many were kept?
Context: 2014 Pennsylvania Governors Election - Democratic Challenger
Purpose: To inform his audience of what he will do and persuade them to vote for him
Message: VOTE FOR ME! I will be a different type of governor a fresh start!
Ethos (Credibility): He gains credibility as the everyday man by having his family around, driving his own jeep instead of a company vehicle, his attire, since he grew up in central Philadelphia. His remarkable credentials (went to MIT, obtained a PhD), he is a successful blue collar business owner. He donates his time and money and people gave testimonials on his behalf.
Logos (Logic/Reasoning): He is a family man who is highly educated, and a successful business owner.
Pathos (Emotion): He appeals to the publics emotions by trusting that with his personal accomplishments that he is the right person that could lead us to a better future.
Reseach Questions:
Where does each candidate stand on education?
Where does each candidate stand on fracking?
What were the promises made by Tom Corbett last election and how many were kept?