TOW #15 The Fiscal Cliff

            Discussion about the fiscal cliff and what it could mean for the United States’ economy dominated the news cycle for weeks until a tentative agreement was finally reached on December 31^st.  In response to confusion over what the agreement meant for average Americans, President Barack Obama released a video explaining the deal’s implications in layman’s terms.  In an effort to divert attention from what was almost a complete failure of government, the President used a variety of rhetorical devices to paint the agreement in a more positive light.  First and foremost, the President utilized ethos by attempting to show that he created an agreement that was most beneficial to average Americans.  For example, he stated that “in the face of looming deadlines, you know my top priority is preventing a tax hike that would have hit 98% of all Americans.”  In addition, he talked directly to the camera and spoke in an informal tone that gave the impression that he understood the struggles of middle-class families.  

Due to the fact that the video was published by the President’s staff, it is highly likely that the audience was primarily Democratic.  As a result, he employed pathos by making it seem as if the Republican Party was the only obstacle in the way of reaching an agreement.  In addition, he talked about their proposed solutions in an almost condescending manner.  In terms of appealing to passionate Obama supporters, this video is very effective in telling the audience what it wants to hear.  Yet at the same time, this video presents a rather one-sided message with little specific information and therefore has difficulty reaching a broader audience. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tuztHPq95o