Romney vs. Obama

Throughout the debate both candidates applied Aristotle’s techniques of logos pathos and ethos. Romney was constantly referring to statistics to defend his point. Logos currently lead to pathos.

Talking about Syria was one of the main points in this debate. Romney talked about 30,000 people injured in this big conflict. Obama said this was “heart breaking.” Here Obama is manipulating the minds of the audience making them think in this enormous tragedy.

Obama is constantly referring to the past. He talks about the things done during his presidential period. He makes all his points forensic. Obama talks about the measures taken in the part of education. He has created thousands of schools and done “good things” for citizens. However in the other hand Romney criticize his point by giving statistics that will eventually manipulate the audience and make them take his side.

Romney is constantly giving choices and measures that should be made for the country to succeed. He talks in a deliberative way, making the audience believe in his concerns. Five of his main points are:

1.    Make the United States and independent country in resources, such as oil, gas etc.
2.    Increase the trade.
3.   Train the teachers and scholars for a better future.
4.    Balance the budget
5.    Increase the military forces.

These five choices for the future are the basis for his campaign. During the debate he currently refers to these five concerns and each time reinforcing his proposals.

The mediator is concerned in how is Romney going to manage the increase in military force. From where is he going to get all this money?

Romney defends himself very good. He gives abundance of statistics that convince the mediator and makes him continue the debate.

Obama’s concern for the women is present. He is aware of the rights of women in the Middle East and with pathos he is able to manipulate the audience. He talks about the role of women, and how is a very important part of society. He talks about the measures he will take to improve the quality of life.

Obama is frequently referring to the past speeches of Romney and how throughout time he contradicts himself. While showing how this happens he shows his character and how this should not be done, here is were ethos stand. Obama manipulates the audience giving this argument.

When talking about  Osama bin Laden and the 911, Obama tells a story about a girl that calls his father just before the big catastrophe. Using pathos to make the audience feel sad about this specific moment, he manipulates the audience and make them continue by his side, fighting against Afganistan, Israel, al- Qaeda etc.

Both candidates are aware on the leadership needed in these big conflicts of the United States. They are sure of what they need for the proposals to convince the citizens to vote for them. Here is where Obama refers to his presidential period and talks about the things he made, they are made with “force of moderation” like this violence is “moderated”.

According to Obama “America must be strong.” This big nation is the one that “leads” the world of market business etc. All the countries look to the US as a role model, they should improve various of the sectors for it to succeed. He says that “America remains number one indispensible nation,” this country is indispensible in all sectors. If the market falls, all the world’s market will be affected. This is why the US has such a big responsibility.

During the debate topics such as relations with China, trade, education, military, security, and future proposals for the nation to develop are discussed. During this discussions the rhetoric modes and argument tools are used to manipulate the audience and to convince the citizens to vote for them.