As the 2016 presidential race progresses, the role and support of the vice presidential candidates is further developing for each candidate and is becoming more crucial with every moment, especially in Donald Trump`s case. Through rhetorical messages and strategies, it seems that running mate, Mike Pence is going to need to be more responsible for rhetorical messages and strategies that can help positively mend Trumps 2016 presidential race.
As Republican party politicians and members have been rescinding their support for Trump following the release of his 2005 tape resulting in scandal, Mike Pence explained at a rally on Monday in Charlotte that “it`s been an interesting few days.” As rumors have flown speculating that Pence may rescind his support and running position alongside Trump, Pence explains that Trump is a fighter and “literally embodies the spirit of America.” Pence has expressed that “my faith informs me to hold up Godly standard, but we all fall short of the Glory of God. There`s no one righteous, other than The One.” Through his apparent rhetorical strategy of appealing to religion, Mike Pence is attempting to mend Trump`s negative image in the light of the American people responsible for voting in the upcoming election just a few short weeks away.
Regarding Trump`s negative comments, Pence stated, “I don’t condone what was said. But the other part of my faith is grace…We`re called to forgive as we`ve been forgiven”, it is made obvious to the American people that Pence will not rescind his decision to stand by Trump in the presidential election. While this rhetorical strategy of appealing to religion through the messages and image Pence is portraying through his expressed faith, some supporters may shy away even further while others may personally identify with this faith and will also forgive Trump for his actions based on their faith as well and further support his position for president.
As Pence has been known for his devout Christian faith from the beginning, one cannot help but to wonder if the campaign has played on his faith as a rhetorical strategy in a way that wouldn’t be as necessary to express so intently if Pence wasn’t running alongside Trump. Focusing on Pence`s faith, he can be seen as a softer contrast to the bold and brash Trump for rhetorical purposes of attempting to help Trump win the presidential title. Comment your thoughts on the appealing to religion strategy it seems Pence is using to help mend Trump`s campaign. Do you think it is working or not working? Check out this link to learn more about Pence`s Christian faith and see examples of rhetorical messages he has given that further demonstrate his appealing to religion rhetorical strategy I have identified.
Sources: http://religionandpolitics.org/2016/10/10/the-christian-worldview-of-mike-pence/
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I think Pence was a phenomenal running candidate for Trump. Pence is everything that Trump is not (he should have run for president). Most republicans are if not Christian, are associated with a religion. Many people respect Pence’s stance on religion and how he uses it rhetorically in the debate. So, I think that this strategy is working. Pence is appealing to pathos and religion tugs at people’s hearts. Pence does a great job of showing the american public that he candle handle the position of vice president but will it actually matter? We will see in November!
So far, I think Pence has done a marvelous job at not only following in the wake of Trump and cleaning up his messes, but also winning back the potential voters Trump is scaring away through both his past and current actions. While the idea of incorporating religion into politics may scare off the occasional voter, it is important to look at what party Pence is being supported by. The Republican party has always been a party rooted in faith and beliefs and if you look at past Republican Presidents and nominees, this is generally a theme that runs throughout their time in the office and their time spent campaigning. I think it may seem like Pence is going over the top with pushing religion at the moment because Trump is doing so little of it that the contrast is making the “religion” thing look more intense than it normally would during a Republican nominee’s campaign. While I do not believe Pence can solely save the Republican party or fix every one of Trump’s messes, both now and new messes to come, I do believe through his faith-based rhetoric and softer contrast, he has made leaps and bounds in winning back old, Conservative voters and other Republican voters that may have been uneasy as of recent.