Literaturnachweis - Detailanzeige
| Autor/in | Herbeck, Dale A. |
|---|---|
| Titel | A Kind and Benevolent People: The "Public" as Constructed by Congressman Barney Frank. |
| Quelle | (1990), (14 Seiten)
PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Dokumenttyp | gedruckt; online; Monographie |
| Schlagwörter | Communication Research; Discourse Analysis; Federal Government; Homosexuality; Legislators; Persuasive Discourse; Political Attitudes; Political Issues; Public Opinion |
| Abstract | News reports regarding the relationship between Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and a male prostitute reflect a growing willingness to hold public officials responsible for private acts. The incident triggered a classic example of apologia--a speech of self-defense. As critics have long suggested, the intangible nature of the "public" complicates appeals to it. However, it is possible to infer the public by studying how it is constituted by the speaker. In an August 25, 1989 speech, the congressman admitted to his relationship with the prostitute, denied misuse of his office, and pleaded that the psychic burdens of being gay led to catastrophic errors in judgment. By portraying his constituency as a benevolent, compassionate, forgiving people, Frank offered the listener the choice of joining his public and voting to acquit him, or renouncing this public and the positive values it represents and voting to convict. Public responses in letters to newspapers, poll results, and political contributions suggest that Frank's approach netted forgiveness and understanding. Several would-be challengers have canceled plans to oppose him in his 1990 reelection bid. While Barney Frank's public may exist only in his words, its real power is reflected in the fact that Frank has a political future. (Twenty-six footnotes are included.) (SG) |
| Erfasst von | ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC |
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