The struggle over health care reform is a well-known issue in the current times. In providing a plan for such a reform, President Obama and his staff have been met with significant resistance from Republican, and even some Democratic representatives. Because it lacks acceptance in Congress, the Democratic Party is attempting to rally troops in order to influence congressmen through their constituents. “The Obama Plan” website was created to advocate this movement and inform the American public of the essentiality of health care reform. Organizing for America, the website’s sponsor, has its origins in the Obama for America organization, a project of the Democratic Party, and is pushing forward Obama's ever-present mantra of "change." Disregarding the specific content provided, the website attempts to gain the trust and confid
ence of the reader through various rhetorical techniques in the effectiveness of the proposed plan for reform as well as persuade the audience to action—whether it be contacting their representative or spreading their open support of the president’s arguments.
The Democratic National Party is attempting to reach all of America, rich and poor, those with and without health insurance, to make it clear that everyone will benefit from this change, not just for those who lack sufficient coverage. This is clear through their three-column approach: one listing benefits for those who don't have health insurance, one expressing the benefits for those who already have health care, and a final column “For All Americans. For the majority of the majority of readers, the Party uses a strategy that works to their advantage. They trust that the average reader will briefly skim the issue at hand, accept that which makes logical sense to be fact, and move on. In this sense, the “Obama Plan” rhetoric is infallible. The information is summarized, bulleted, and proportioned—an easy read for the lazy eye. Even the video provided is organized into short, bite-sized clips that give the unquestioning American everything they need to know about Obama’s health care reform. However, for those who remain inquisitive and doubtful, this over-simplification can lead to mistrust. They may ask, “How can there be no negative consequences to such a great change in the country’s health care system?” or “How can we know that all will go as planned?” Even these two basic questions fail to be answered.
Nevertheless, one of the text’s greatest strength is its ability to connect with kairos, simply because health care reform is an issue still at hand. Also, they allude to the great deficit and economic troubles that face this country at this time. It succeeds in appealing to a currently worrisome, thrifty, and hesitant American population due to the misfortunes this country has so recently experienced. Interestingly enough, this article is organized more like it is trying to sell something to the American “customer” than anything else. The average consumer doesn’t want too much to read, but just enough to know the basics—costs and benefits. From there, they decide whether or not to “buy” what they’re being sold. Simplified, categorized information is given, mostly to appeal to the logos of the average American “buyer.”
The use of the term “Americans,” and, in President Obama’s quote, the use of a collective “we” (“our families, our businesses, our government”) creates pathos to pull at the patriotic heartstrings of the public. Although a good portion of the audience will not notice it, this tool is very effective in making every reader of this text feel included in the “us” or “our” category. Once the connection is made between the reader and the Democratic Party—or even the President of the United Sates—it is more likely that said person will believe that the words in front of them are, indeed, for them specifically, and require their action.
Along with the summarizing text, there is a short film of integrated clips in which, essentially, the same information is expressed, but from Obama himself. This assists the integrity of the entire piece. Where the ethos may be weak to the inquisitive mind, the visual and auditory presence of President Obama can be quite convincing. He is an eloquent spokesman, and the Democratic Party has used this to their advantage.
The site also uses two of President Obama’s quotes—both of which to appeal to pathos. The more powerful of the two states, “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about change in Washington… I’m asking you to believe in yours.” This is intended to empower the individual, to move them to action because Obama said they could make a difference! This may work for some, but to others it will seem unrealistic. It is a common belief in society today that the individual can hardly make much difference in governmental proceedings.
The Demo
cratic National Party leaves a closing seal on their message. It is used only twice on the page, but very effectively. The “Organizing for America” icon is a red, white, and blue circular emblem that portrays a sense of hope. Rays of light extend out from it, and within the circle is a small portrayal of a morning sun coming up over a hill. Although small, it carries with it an important message, one that is designed to express the ultimate goal of the entity it was created to represent: national unity, with a specific emphasis the issue of health care reform. The powerful seal imbibes the spirit of the American Dream, calling to the pathos in the hearts of all audiences, no matter what race, class, or political affiliation, re-emphasizing that the Democratic Party and Obama stand together in hope for a better tomorrow.
ence of the reader through various rhetorical techniques in the effectiveness of the proposed plan for reform as well as persuade the audience to action—whether it be contacting their representative or spreading their open support of the president’s arguments.The Democratic National Party is attempting to reach all of America, rich and poor, those with and without health insurance, to make it clear that everyone will benefit from this change, not just for those who lack sufficient coverage. This is clear through their three-column approach: one listing benefits for those who don't have health insurance, one expressing the benefits for those who already have health care, and a final column “For All Americans. For the majority of the majority of readers, the Party uses a strategy that works to their advantage. They trust that the average reader will briefly skim the issue at hand, accept that which makes logical sense to be fact, and move on. In this sense, the “Obama Plan” rhetoric is infallible. The information is summarized, bulleted, and proportioned—an easy read for the lazy eye. Even the video provided is organized into short, bite-sized clips that give the unquestioning American everything they need to know about Obama’s health care reform. However, for those who remain inquisitive and doubtful, this over-simplification can lead to mistrust. They may ask, “How can there be no negative consequences to such a great change in the country’s health care system?” or “How can we know that all will go as planned?” Even these two basic questions fail to be answered.
Nevertheless, one of the text’s greatest strength is its ability to connect with kairos, simply because health care reform is an issue still at hand. Also, they allude to the great deficit and economic troubles that face this country at this time. It succeeds in appealing to a currently worrisome, thrifty, and hesitant American population due to the misfortunes this country has so recently experienced. Interestingly enough, this article is organized more like it is trying to sell something to the American “customer” than anything else. The average consumer doesn’t want too much to read, but just enough to know the basics—costs and benefits. From there, they decide whether or not to “buy” what they’re being sold. Simplified, categorized information is given, mostly to appeal to the logos of the average American “buyer.”
The use of the term “Americans,” and, in President Obama’s quote, the use of a collective “we” (“our families, our businesses, our government”) creates pathos to pull at the patriotic heartstrings of the public. Although a good portion of the audience will not notice it, this tool is very effective in making every reader of this text feel included in the “us” or “our” category. Once the connection is made between the reader and the Democratic Party—or even the President of the United Sates—it is more likely that said person will believe that the words in front of them are, indeed, for them specifically, and require their action.
Along with the summarizing text, there is a short film of integrated clips in which, essentially, the same information is expressed, but from Obama himself. This assists the integrity of the entire piece. Where the ethos may be weak to the inquisitive mind, the visual and auditory presence of President Obama can be quite convincing. He is an eloquent spokesman, and the Democratic Party has used this to their advantage.
The site also uses two of President Obama’s quotes—both of which to appeal to pathos. The more powerful of the two states, “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about change in Washington… I’m asking you to believe in yours.” This is intended to empower the individual, to move them to action because Obama said they could make a difference! This may work for some, but to others it will seem unrealistic. It is a common belief in society today that the individual can hardly make much difference in governmental proceedings.
The Demo
cratic National Party leaves a closing seal on their message. It is used only twice on the page, but very effectively. The “Organizing for America” icon is a red, white, and blue circular emblem that portrays a sense of hope. Rays of light extend out from it, and within the circle is a small portrayal of a morning sun coming up over a hill. Although small, it carries with it an important message, one that is designed to express the ultimate goal of the entity it was created to represent: national unity, with a specific emphasis the issue of health care reform. The powerful seal imbibes the spirit of the American Dream, calling to the pathos in the hearts of all audiences, no matter what race, class, or political affiliation, re-emphasizing that the Democratic Party and Obama stand together in hope for a better tomorrow. 
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