Barack, Paper, Scissors

“The time to fix our broken immigration system is now… We need stronger enforcement on the border and at the workplace… But for reform to work, we also must respond to what pulls people to America… Where we can reunite families, we should. Where we can bring in more foreign-born workers with the skills our economy needs, we should”
— Barack Obama, Statement on U.S. Senate Floor, May 23, 2007

On Obama’s political campaign website he lists several significant issues that are a major concern for the near future. The issue I chose was immigration. In Obama’s quote above he addresses that there is an issue: a broken immigration system. This in a way establishes the rhetorical appeal ethos. By stating that there is in fact an issue that needs to be dealt with, Obama is generates authority and credibility. The website in itself is another source of credibility and authenticity—it looks professional and has a smiling, but serious picture of Obama, as well as several quotes and links to learn more about other issues.

Also in the above quote he makes a point to state what can be done to resolve the issue and how to respond to the immediate problem. This is the rhetorical appeal of logos or the arguments of logic. Obviously, in order to begin to resolve this issue, something needs to be done—action needs to take place. Obama approaches this issue logically by stating that a main source of immigration conflicts lies right on the border where reinforcements need to be stronger. The website also lists statistics and facts about the present immigration issues, which advances the appeal to logical argument and persuasion. The rhetorical strategies that are also used is process, how the issues could be resolved, example and illustration, he gives examples of how he can solve the issue, and comparison-contrast with past situation with the past.

Then, as any smart candidate would, Obama directs his argument and stance towards ethos. He does this when he states “where we can reunite families, we should”. Using the words ‘family’ and ‘reunite’, Obama successfully utilizes the emotional appeal. This could cause a connection between the voter and Obama. The voter now sees Obama as a candidate that is sensitive towards the current issues as well as sensitive towards families. I consider this appeal to be the most powerful as everyone almost best relates on an emotional level. Cause and effect and narration are the rhetorical strategies used for this appeal. Cause and effect frequently used in any political campaign—especially to emotional appeal. If the candidate promises to address an issue or a cause, he or she must have an effect or a result. Also with the narration, or story telling, a candidate best relates with his or her audience of voter if they share a personal story which helps demonstrate and connect their position and resolution to different issues.

In relation to other candidates, Obama listens as well as supports, but maintains his view and political positions and delivers them in a classy and well educated manner.