Crises of confidence
Rhetorical constraints for incumbent party successors
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12409305 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Cathy Winkler (0000-0003-1692-6062, Georgia State University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1991 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 17-27 |
| Publication date | 1991-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Political Communication (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1058-4609 • E-ISSN: 1091-7675 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10584609.1991.9962905 |
| OpenAlex | W2093374410 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 10 |
Crises of confidence have plagued the American presidency since the introduction of television into the political sphere. Recognizing from previous research that unpopular incumbents use rhetoric in an effort to regain their credibility, this study looks at these rhetorical choices to see how they constrain or provide opportunities for the incumbent party's successors. Specifically, the study looks at the rhetoric surrounding instances where presidents have dropped 20 points in Gallup approval ratings within the last two years of their terms. The study reveals that an unpopular incumbent's interest in regaining the public's faith is frequently at odds with his successor's interests. Incumbents need to remove themselves as the cause of the crisis, convince the public that they have the solution to the problem, and bide enough time to affect the situation. These choices tend to constrain the simplicity, flexibility, and timeliness of the successor's choices for rhetorically resolving the crises
Compromise · Credibility · Economics · Flexibility (engineering · Law and economics · Legislature · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Presidency · Public opinion · Public relations · Rhetoric · Rhetorical question · Sociology · Successor cardinal · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Public Relations and Crisis Communication · Rhetoric and Communication Studies
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |