President Obama has been talking about health care all throughout his presidental campain and now, as President. Presenting his ideas about health care need to be brought out at the right time. At a time when Americans want to listen to what he wants to say. Obama uses kairos in this particular speech by specifically stating why now is the time for action and for implimenting his health care proposal. Obama says, "Now is the season for action... Now is the time to deliver on health care". (par. 6)
According the the life cycle of a rhetorical situation, Obama is just leaving the origin stage. Some Americans are still becoming more aware of what his health care plan is and what their personal benifits would be.
A large majority of Americans, however, are aware of Obama's proposal and have formed their own oppinions about it. This is the beginnings of the maturity stage. Obama is talking to Congress and therefore, the discussing and deciding process is going on. A decision will soon be reached determining whether Obama's health care plan should be implimented. Because this is the most critical moment of debate, it is very important that Obama proves his point and takes advantage of the opportunites he has to convince Congress and the American people.
Obama includes himself with congress by using words like "we" and "us". He combines the Democrates and the Republicans together and shows how his health care program will help everyone.
Obama explains that this is the time to change health care because if we don't fix it now, there will be no possible way to compromise. He futher explains that this has been a long-time problem that we need to fix and make better for the future.
By using the time Obama has to speak and persuade Congress, he is using kairos to his advantage and seizing the moment. Obama understands that he needs the Congress to approve of his plan for action to take place. At this critical or maturity stage, it is very important that he uses the time effectively before a decision is reached and the cycle moves to deterioration and disintegration.
Thats really good Meggie! I haven't really been following the news since i came to college so it was good to read that. I just hope that anti-health care advocates are seizing taking advantage of the moment too :)
ReplyDeleteYou might need to fix the link: I think the http part got repeated in there.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice start, but you need to be more specific about the way Obama presents the history of the issue and what the current moment means. You tell us it's a long-term problem: how long term is he suggesting it is? You tell us he says we have to fix it now or we won't be able to compromise: what does he do in the speech to suggest that waiting longer won't work?