http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/10/trump-trade-plans-could-cause-global-recession-experts.html
Who’s calling?
Trump’s phone conference on Your Money -Your Vote posted on CNBC targets the right audience. Considering that CNBC generally focuses on Wall Street, Trump had the attention of multiple groups other than the GOP. This news conference worked with Trump’s rhetoric of speech types as he accomplished three very important tasks. One, discussing a limited number of issues. Two, targeting an audience. And three, creating an agenda to benefit his campaign.
The message
Trump’s form of address appearing on Your Money – Your Vote was a great way for him to answer planted questions. When the show host asked Trump about what he thinks the U.S should do in regards to trade with China, his answer was thoughtful and thorough. He spoke of how “you can charge surtax or you can charge a tax for products that they sell in the United States“. He explained that the higher tax would cause more people to buy American goods since they would be less expensive than foreign ones. Through Trump’s rhetorical strategies, his agenda and planted questions made himself appear very knowledgeable. All the while being very successful at targeting a large audience through his choice of news conference.
The graph above shows America’s imports to exports ratio from 2007 to 2013 in quarterly increments, it is obvious that something needs to change. Trump’s ideals may shock many because no one wants higher prices, but his rhetorical strategies might get voters on his bandwagon. Knowing how to deliver a message is very important. Trump’s conference on Your Money – Your Vote that called attention to this issue can inform people across the nation, I mean who doesn’t watch T.V or surf the internet this day in age?
The Call Back.
This news conference can touch the minds of those who claim themselves as independent. Some people don’t acknowledge the presidential debates and those people could powerfully sway an election. Getting the attention of these people while also appearing as a logical choice of president is important. In this case Trump’s plans on trade would make him seem like a good choice separating him from his opponent, from a campaign strategist perspective this could greatly benefit him in this election.
I think that this appearance was a smart move for the Trump campaign. It presented Trump in a setting where his audience were fellow businessmen (instead of uneducated white males, as the stereotype permits) and gave him the opportunity to further explain his views on trade with China without being tempted into erratic behavior.