Compassionate conservatism: The rhetorical reconstruction of conservative rhetoric

American Communication Journal

Volumn 6, Issue 4, 2003, Pages

  Kuypers, Jim A ^a   Hitchner, Megan ^a   Irwin, James ^a   Wilson, Alexander ^a  

^a DARTMOUTH COLLEGE   (United States)

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EID: 2942689717     PISSN: 15325865     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (90)

1. An early version of this essay developed out of a special senior level seminar at Dartmouth College: Criticism of Conservative Rhetoric in America: Post World War II. Contributors at that time also included Ryan Clark, Sujan Patel, Lee Roach, and Margaret Smoot.
2. Charles R. Kesler, "The Dilemas of Compassionate Conservatism," The Claremont Institute: Publications (18 November 1999). Kessler quoting David Frum, no citation provided. http://old.claremont.org/publications/kesler991122.cfm.
3. For an interesting analysis of Third Way politics applied to British politics see: John Blundell, "The Third Way: New Philosophy or Politics as Usual?" The Heritage Foundation Heritage Lectures, No. 659 (5 April 2000). http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/hl659.cfm . See too, http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ka.cfm?knlgAreaID=128
4. For an interesting analysis of Third Way politics applied to British politics see: John Blundell, "The Third Way: New Philosophy or Politics as Usual?" The Heritage Foundation Heritage Lectures, No. 659 (5 April 2000). http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/hl659.cfm . See too, http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ka.cfm?knlgAreaID=128
5. We follow the work of rhetorical theorist Lloyd F. Bitzer in our use of the terms rhetorical contraints and exigencies. For a complete bibliography and an outstanding review of the work of Bitzer see Marilyn J. Young, "Lloyd F. Bitzer: Rhetorical Situation, Public Knowledge, and Audience Dynamics," Twentieth-Century Roots of Rhetorical Criticism. Jim A. Kuypers and Andrew King, eds. (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2001).
6. Other examples of ad hominem attacks against House Speaker Gingrich may be found at http://www.mediaresearch.org/realitycheck/1998/fax19981112.asp
7. The politics of meaning is not necessarily a new concept. However, it received wide spread attention after first lady Hillary Clinton used the phrase during her 1993 Health Care adventure. For copies of the First Lady's speeches, see http://clinton2.nara.gov/WH/EOP/First_Lady/html/general-index.html. For an oppositional analysis of the politics of meaning see Ronald J. Pestritto, "The President of Wonderland," The Claremont Institute: Publications (no date). http://old.claremont.org/publications/pestritto2.cfm
8. The statement, "I feel your pain," was uttered 26 March 1992 by then candidate Clinton at a political rally. After being interupted by heckling AIDS activists, Clinton retorted in part: "I feel your pain, I feel your pain, but if you want to attack me personally you're no better than Jerry Brown and all the rest of these people who say whatever sounds good at the moment. If you want something to be done, you ask me a question and you listen. If you don't agree with me, go support somebody else for President but quit talking to me like that. This is not a matter of personal attack; it's a matter of human wrong." "The 1992 Campaign: Verbatim; Heckler Stirs Clinton Anger: Excerpts From the Exchange," The New York Times (28 March 1992): A9. For an interesting commentary on President Clinton's use of the "caring" metaphor see, Richard M. Levine, "I Feel your Pain: How to Host the Presidency in 12 Steps," Mother Jones (July/August 1993). http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/JA93/
9. The statement, "I feel your pain," was uttered 26 March 1992 by then candidate Clinton at a political rally. After being interupted by heckling AIDS activists, Clinton retorted in part: "I feel your pain, I feel your pain, but if you want to attack me personally you're no better than Jerry Brown and all the rest of these people who say whatever sounds good at the moment. If you want something to be done, you ask me a question and you listen. If you don't agree with me, go support somebody else for President but quit talking to me like that. This is not a matter of personal attack; it's a matter of human wrong." "The 1992 Campaign: Verbatim; Heckler Stirs Clinton Anger: Excerpts From the Exchange," The New York Times (28 March 1992): A9. For an interesting commentary on President Clinton's use of the "caring" metaphor see, Richard M. Levine, "I Feel your Pain: How to Host the Presidency in 12 Steps," Mother Jones (July/August 1993). http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/JA93/
10. Marvin Olasky, Compassionate Conservatism (New York: The Free Press, 2000) 3.
11. Gallop Poll, "Presidential Job Approval: Bill Clinton's High Ratings in the Midst of Crisis," (4 June 1999). http://www.gallup.com/poll/fromtheed/ed9906.asp
12. Arlie Russell Hochschild, "A Generation Without Public Passion: Clinton's Chief Legacy to the Young Was to Drain Politics of Idealism," The Atlantic Monthly (February 2000). http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2001/02/hochschild.htm
13. For commentary on this relationship see, George H. Nash, The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America. (Wilmington, Delaware: Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 1996).
14. Ramesh Ponnuru, "State of Conservatives: We Are All Clintonites Now," National Review (22 November 1999). Original found at
15. Ponnuru.
16. John I . Dilulio, "The Political Theory of Compassionate Conservatism," The Weekly Standard (23 August 1999). Original found at
17. Kesler.
18. We did not begin the analysis looking for particular themes. Instead, we read each speech (or book) looking for themes expressed repeatedly by the speakers. We found these themes both reflected traditional conservative principles and advanced new ideas as well. In particular we looked for new articulations of traditional conservative principles. In total, we examined 25 books and speeches published and delivered during the three year period of 1999 and 2001. 14 of these were by President George W. Bush.
19. This analysis is similar to the method employed in Jim A. Kuypers, Marilyn J. Young, and Michael K. Launer, "Composite Narrative, Authoritarian Discourse, and the Soviet Response to the Destruction of Iran Air Flight 655," Quarterly Journal of Speech 87.3 (2001 ): 305-320.
20. George W. Bush, "New Prosperity Initiative," Cleveland, OH , 11 April 2000
21. George W. Bush, A Charge to Keep (New York: William Morrow & Co., 1999): 228.
22. George W. Bush, "Governor Bush's Acceptance Speech," Philadelphia, PA. 3 August 2000.
23. Joseph J. Jacobs, The Compassionate Conservative: Assuming Responsibility and Respecting Human Dignity (Oakland: Institute for Contemporary Studies, 2000) 180.
24. George W. Bush, "No Child Left Behind," Delivered to The Latino Business Associations Luncheon, Los Angeles, California (2 September 1999). http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewEducation.asp?Page=
25. George W. Bush "A Tax Cut With A Purpose," Des Moines, Iowa (1 December 1999).
26. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 236.
27. George W. Bush, "Press Conference with President George W. Bush and Education Secretary Rod Paige to Introduce the President's Education Program," Washington, D. C., The White House (23 January 2001). http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/01/20010123-2.html
28. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 233.
29. Russell Kirk, The Politics of Prudence (Wilmington, Delaware: Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 1998) 20.
30. George W. Bush, "New Prosperity Initiative."
31. George W. Bush, "Speech at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Annual Convention," Baltimore, Maryland (10 July 2000). Video at http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/07/12/campaign.wrap/
32. Bush, "No Child Left Behind."
33. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 233.
34. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 232.
35. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 233.
36. Bush, "Press Conference . . . to Introduce the President's Education Program."
37. Bush, George W. "Gov. George W. Bush's Acceptance Speech," Republican National Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3 August 2000). Video at http://www.chttp:// span.org/campaign2000/gwbushspeeches.asp
38. Olasky, 189.
39. Olasky, 19.
40. George W. Bush,"Barnstorm for Reform Tour," (23 October 2000).
41. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 229.
42. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 230.
43. Watts, J.C. Jr. "Teaching Individual Self-Restraint: Taking Responsibility For Your Children's Actions," The National Rifle Association Annual Convention, Keynote Address, Charlotte, North Carolina (20 May 2000). http://www.thevanguard.org/thevanguard/other_writers/watts.shtml
44. Olasky, 17.
45. Okasky, 173
46. Bush, George W. "President George W. Bush's Inaugural Address," White House: Washington, D.C., (20 January 2001). http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/inaugural-address.html
47. Connerly, Ward. "Heroes for a New Generation," Hillsdale College's Shavano Institute for National Leadership Seminar, Costa Mesa, California (11 October 1999). See additional Connerly speeches at http://www.acri.org/
48. Connerly.
49. Bush, Georege W. "Responsible Leadership, " Pittsburgh, PA. (26 October 2000).
50. Bush, "Inaugural Address."
51. George W. Bush, "Remarks by the President at National Prayer Breakfast," [also called, Faith of our Nation: Promoting Civility,] Office of the Press Secretary: White House (1 February 2001). http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20010201.html
52. Jennifer Dunn and Steve Largent, "The United States: Individual Liberty, Free Enterprise, and Limited Government; Response to the State of the Union Address." (19 January 1999). http://www.house.gov/dunn/pr/sou.htm
53. Bush, "Speech at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Annual Convention,"
54. Bush, A Charge to Keep, 228.
55. Bush, "New Prosperity Initiative."
56. Bush, A Charge To Keep, 232.
57. Bush "Speech at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Annual Convention."
58. Olasky, 3.
59. Bush, "National Prayer Breakfast."
60. Bush, "National Prayer Breakfast."
61. Bush, "National Prayer Breakfast."
62. See William E. Simon, "Why America Needs Religion," Heritage Lectures (26 September 2000) http://www.heritage.org/library/lecture/hl687.html and Patrick F. Fagan, "Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability," The Heritage Backgrounder 1064 (25 January 1996). http://www.heritage.org/library/categories/family/bg1064.html
63. See William E. Simon, "Why America Needs Religion," Heritage Lectures (26 September 2000) http://www.heritage.org/library/lecture/hl687.html and Patrick F. Fagan, "Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability," The Heritage Backgrounder 1064 (25 January 1996). http://www.heritage.org/library/categories/family/bg1064.html
64. Bush, "Bush's Acceptance Speech"
65. John Ashcroft, "Technology and Values in the New Millenium," Allegheny Institute for Public Policy Fundraiser, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (26 March 1999). http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/index.php
66. Bush, "Responsible Leadership, "
67. Bush, "Inauguration Address."
68. Bush, George W. "A Period of Consequences" The Citadel, SC. (23 September 1999).
69. Bush, "Inauguration Address."
70. Colin Powell, "Speech at the Republican Convention," Republican National Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (31 July 2000). Video at http://www.cspan. org/campaign2000/gop_archives.asp
71. John Ashcroft, "The De-colonization of Welfare," Vital Speeches of the Day. 61.19 (15 July 1995): 600-606.
72. Condoleezza Rice, "Speech at the Republican National Convention," Republican National Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1 August 2000). Video at http://www.cspan. org/campaign2000/gop_archives.asp
73. John Ashcroft, "Technology and Values."
74. George W. Bush, "Duty of Hope," Delivered, Indinnapolis, Indiana, July 22, 1999. http://www.cspan. org/campaign2000/gwbushspeeches.asp
75. Powell.
76. Bush, "Inauguration Address."
77. Bush, "Duty of Hope."
78. Dunn and Largent.
79. R i c e.
80. Powell.
81. Kirk, 17-25.
82. Kirk, 22.
83. Robert Nisbit, Conservatism: Dream and Reality (Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 1986) 68-75.
84. Although this trend among Democrats may be coming to an end as we approach the 2004 elections, especially considering the election of Nancy Pelosi to House Minority Leader.
85. Gallup Poll, (13 October 1999). Found at .
86. Gallup Poll, (13 October 1999). Found at
87. Jon Frandsen, "Armey: It's The Demeanor, Stupid," USA Today (14 October 1999) http://www.usatoday.com/news/e98/e459.htm
88. David Corn, "Right With Bush," The Nation (12 March 2001) 1. http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010312&s=corn
89. Gallup Poll, (3 August 2000). Found at .
90. Gallup Poll, (19 January 2001). Found at .