1. Presidential Communication
By: Grant A. Gregga

2. What is it?
Now Listen here..
The Way Presidents convey messages to the
public, the media, and Congress.

3. What is it?
Have you ever thought of it like this?
Different communication methods alter
viewpoints and beliefs.

4. What is it?
Ultimately, a shift in discourse changes the
political landscape based on the President’s
message.

5. Who Uses It?
PRESIDENTS, of course.

6. Who Uses It?
ALSO,
Members of the White House Staff
&
Those who respond to media

7. So What?
Presidential communication sets administration
policy and goals
Remember this goal…

8. So What?
Presidents can sway public opinion to
politically pressure Congress.

9. So What?
Will establish Presidential authority in the
legislative process
&
Promote the symbolic power of the office

10. So What?
Increased complexity between presidents,
media, and the public.
Media is detrimental to
presidential agendas.

11. So What?
Ultimately, the President’s communication
method influences discourse on vital topics.
(I.E.- Healthcare, budgets, war)

12. So What?
Political communication has a direct impact on
daily life.
The President’s message may subconsciously
affect your viewpoint.

13. Criticism
There have been too few studies on presidents’
specific use of language as a tool.
We want some mo’, we want some mo’!

14. Criticism
Two competing ideologies:
Traditional
VS.
Modern

15. Traditional Presidency
The president must be a proficient orator to
sway public opinion
Must be BOLD in rhetoric and unwavering

16. Modern Presidency
The president does not need to be rhetorically
proficient.
No legislative compromise.
Policy aggression.

17. Further Disagreement
Some say the president has full control over the
public and media.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Others say this power is not as great as it once
was (Cannot fully control public).

18. Presidential Persuasion
National Addresses: The President’s best method of
mobilizing public support.
Media leaks and administration interviews can have
effects as well.

19. Presidential Persuasion
Priming- sets public agenda through increased
news coverage on certain topics.
Friend or Foe?

20. Presidential Persuasion
Rhetoric- used to turn disadvantageous topics
to advantageous through language.

21. Presidential Persuasion
Using rhetoric lacking “definitional standard”.
What is definitional Standard?
…..

22. Definitional Standard
The commonly understood meaning and/or
connotation a word carries with it.

23. Conclusion
Sway public opinion.
Communication- conscious or subconscious.
Complex, ever-evolving relationship between
the president, media, and the public.

24. Credit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8180173@N06/1487266479/sizes/o/in/photostream/
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3160/2522363238_40f03ca190.jpg
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http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2084/2062065781_4c3228df1d.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5219/5386861192_4e4631f36f.jpg
http://87billion.com/dubya.jpg