Samuel Levinson Rhetorical Profile The former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich is a conservative who has an extensive

backgroun in !merican politics" He began his political career in this countr# in the $%&'s, running for a seat in (ongress in $%&)" He i not become a (ongressman in his first effort, however he won a seat as a member of the House of Representatives in $%&*" ! popular politician, Gingrich was re+electe ten times in (ongress" ,sing his position as a (ongressman, he became a strong, #et controversial Republican" ! visionar# for the Republicans, Gingrich forme a group known as the (onservative -pportunit# Societ#" He challenge the allege corruption of the $%** Speaker of the House .im /right" /hen /right left, Gingrich was promote , becoming the House 0inorit# /hip" ! strong Republican, Gingrich continue his success an he became the Republican Speaker of the House" !t the time, this was significant as far as Republican politics are concerne , ue to a lack of a Republican Speaker for #ears" $%%1 become known as the 2Republican Revolution,3 as the Republicans won the ma4orit# of the House 5biograph#"com6" The political approach use b# Gingrich is often aggressive, with a focus on moralit#" 7n the $%%'s, Gingrich provi e a contrast between himself an Presi ent 8ill (linton" He use the ifferences between himself an the Presi ent to gain more support among his fellow Republicans" 9ue to the efforts of the Republicans, inclu ing Gingrich himself, (linton:s welfare reform act presente b# Republicans" The Speaker was a ma4or force in legislation" He helpe to balance the bu get an obtain a tax cut for capital gains" However, after the government shut own of $%%), Gingrich began to lose popularit#" His

success as Speaker woul seem to be short, in that he was involve in an ethics scan al" The shut own of the government was essentiall# blame on him" 9ue to his aggressive tactics as a Republican, he was unable to come to an agreement with Presi ent (linton over cuts of the bu get" Gingrich was urge to return millions of ollars to them, as it relate to a book a vance" 9ue to investigations, Gingrich finall# pai up to ;<'',''', which covere the cost of the investigation in the first place" He barel# won his role as Speaker again in $%%&, an in in the following #ear Gingrich resigne ue to his role in

wanting the impeachment of Presi ent (linton" 7t woul seem that the Republican:s career starte with a rock# beginning, he gaine a triumph in politics b# becoming speaker, an then finall# his power fa e awa#" 9espite his ownfall at the en of his role as Speaker, the countr# ha not seen the last of the Republican" He foun e a public polic# organi=ation in >''&, a group know as the !merican Solutions for /inning the ?uture 5biograph#"com6" Then in >'$$, Gingrich ma e the ecision to enter the race for the Presi enc#" !lthough there were times when he surge in the polls, ultimatel# Gingrich lost his bi for the Republican nomination to 0itt Romne#, a business man an former Governor of 0assachusetts" !s a can i ate for the Republican Presi ential nomination, Newt Gingrich wante to showcase himself as the most conservative can i ate running for the Republicans" His wife (allistsa woul often intro uce him to a crow of supporters as the next Presi ent of the ,nite States" There seeme to be great enthusiasm for Gingrich as Presi ent, however it was not enough to win him the overwhelming support of most !mericans who i entif# as Republicans" He ma e the econom# a ke# issue in his campaign" -ne of the issues involve balancing the bu get for the countr#" He also spoke of better energ#

pro uction, such as the a vancements of omestic energ#" Gingrich believe that he knew the important issues that the voters wante a resse b# a Presi ent" To a#, he is not the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, mostl# because of Romne#:s popularit#, an personall# 7 believe that Gingrich:s personal past has turne awa# some of his potential supporters" /hether or not his personal life is relevant to the campaign is un eci e , as ever#one has their own opinions on such situations" Gingrich has stoo strong as a can i ate that will protect religious libert#, an in his own personal life he has foun forgiveness for past errors" -ne shoul not hol the past mistakes of someone in their personal life against them as no one is perfect" /e all have the potential to improve, as well as learn from mistakes, an progress in the irection of moralit#" 7nterestingl#, Gingrich has use Romne#:s non+political backgroun , the business man si e of Romne#, to portra# the can i ate as unfavorable" ?or one that woul want to have a istance between himself an past experiences, 7 think it woul be somewhat h#pocritical of Gingrich to focus on areas of Romne#:s success that are not a part of the political realm" The reason for this woul be that Gingrich has at least some focus on an aspect of another politician that is not steepe in politics" .ust as Gingrich woul not want to be mis4u ge base on a personal past, Romne# shoul not be hel in a ifferent stan ar , even if it is not in the same categor# as to the various areas of Gingrich:s past" There are some areas of one:s past that shoul probabl# be off limits to political attack, with past marriages an personal business ealings as two topics that ma# not necessaril# be relevant to a political campaign" !s a politician, Newt Gingrich faces man# ifferent obstacles, an in an ever+growing, complicate , interconnecte worl , he must convince the voting public that he has the

best plan for the countr#" He coul have an excellent strateg# in one area, however if his rhetoric is not balance in several places, he ma# not be viewe as a suitable presi ential can i ate" ?or Gingrich, as man# other politicians, he faces several elements of the rhetorical situation" 7 believe that while all of these elements ma# be ifferent, that the# are all relate to each other" ?or example, exigence is a focus of the au ience, an epen ing on how politicians a ress the exigence to their au ience, the# ma# potentiall# win their political support" The voting public is looking for the best can i ate for Presi ent, an the# have in min the problems that shoul be solve " ! can i ate must properl# communicate his or her i eas to this voting public, an complete two relate tasks" The first task is to a ress the problems b# presenting a plan, an the secon task for the can i ate is to promote potential change to this au ience" Newt Gingrich is a strong conservative, an his i eals appeal to a wi e au ience of supporters" The Republicans are at o s with the 9emocrats over man# political issues, inclu ing the overseas wars, healthcare, an taxes" Not ever#one agrees over the issues, as there are ifference of thought even within the political parties" There are smaller issues that are of focus, such as gun control an an overall bol emeanor" -f the

exigence that Gingrich takes on for his campaign, he has his own solutions" The# ma# not be agree upon b# the other Republican can i ates, an this is what creates the competition, an allows the voting public to have greater options when it comes to selecting a Presi ent" The campaign trail presente Gingrich with man# opportunities to a ress his i eas towar s solving problems in the countr#" 7t is his wor s that will either bring him victor# or efeat" ,ltimatel#, Gingrich has lost the nomination to Romne#" There were times

uring the campaign in which Gingrich ha a surge in popularit#, an

uring these times

there was speculation that Gingrich woul obtain the nomination 5The /ashington Post6" Gingrich:s answer to the problems in the countr# woul be his best metho of winning" The# are the issues that are at the forefront in the min s of the voters" These problems ma# be known as exigence" !ccor ing to Llo# 8it=er, there are three constituent parts of rhetorical situations" The first part, as etaile here, is the exigence" /ith man# issues consi ere important to voters, there is more than one problem that the public woul like to solve" There is a page of Gingrich:s website e icate to the problems in the countr#, an his answers to them" /hen viewing his 2Solutions3 page, we are given a list that inclu es the econom#, national securit#, an e ucation 5Newt"org6" /hen 7 viewe this page, 7 foun it interesting that Gingrich i not title the page 27ssues3 or 2Situations"3 He instea uses 2Solutions,3 which ma# not appear to be a powerful wor , but it oes offer assurance to the voters that Gingrich has a plan that he believes will be successful" 7 think his choice of wor s on his website is a part of his rhetoric" 7t ma# not be apparent to the casual viewer, but on a subconscious level, the website visitor ma# believe that Gingrich oes have the answers to the problems that citi=ens are concerne about in !merica" So when first viewing the page, it ma# seem average, but on a eeper level of rhetoric, it is excellent in how it communicates to the voters" -n this page, the most pressing issues are present" Starting with the econom#, Gingrich has a plan to bring more 4obs to !mericans" 7t is a solvable problem, accor ing to Gingrich, therefore it oes fit 8it=er:s efinition of exigence@ a problem that can be solve b# the actions of in ivi uals" He mentions balancing the bu get, a Aualit# that he is known for uring his a#s as the Speaker of the House" 7 believe this is a ma4or part of

his rhetoric, as he is in irectl# stating that he was successful in the area of economics in the past, an that if he were in power again, this time as the Presi ent, that he woul use his strategies to improve our econom#" His clever statement that !merica works when the citi=ens are working, lets the au ience know that he reali=es the importance of 4obs" He communicates that he will help to bring 4obs to the countr#, an that as an a e benefit the countr# as a whole will prosper" To Gingrich, this is not wishful thinking, as he proposes a plan of action to gain 4obs for !merican citi=ens 5Newt"org6" There is another reference to Gingrich:s a#s as the speaker, an 7 believe this woul have a resume effect on those rea ing the website" The voters are essentiall# hiring a can i ate to be the lea er of the countr#" The au ience of the !merican people are the ke# in ivi uals" /ithout the public, Gingrich oes not have a chance at success" ?or man# !mericans, especiall# those that are unemplo#e ue to the economic problems of

>''*, the econom# is the most important aspect of the campaign" Therefore, it is especiall# important that Gingrich presents a etaile plan, an that he is s#mpathetic to the situation that man# !merican citi=ens face" 7n a list of solutions, Gingrich states that stabilit# in the econom# ma# be establishe if tax increases propose for next #ear are stoppe " He believes that the rates we now shoul be permanent, an not increase " Gingrich references 9ecember >'$$, when there was improve 4ob creation as a result of the congressional tax relief extension 5Newt"org6" (ontinuing the plan of Gingrich, he wants to bring 4obs to the countr# b# having incentives for businesses to keep the work here in the ,nite States, instea of exporting 4obs to (hina, 0exico, an other countries" The plan of keeping !merican workers emplo#e woul involve a theor# that has tax cuts which woul inclu e the capital gain

tax" 8# increasing the competition of !mericans with those in various countries, there coul be increase innovation, with a ecrease income tax for corporations" This woul be a potentiall# ra ical new plan, one that Gingrich woul nee to place much effort into if he wante it to become a realit# for the ,nite States" This woul bring us to another element of the rhetorical situation, an that woul be constraints" ,nlimite support woul bring about the change that Gingrich wants, however in the real worl of politics there woul be competing points of view" Bven if Gingrich was electe Presi ent, the changes that he proposes woul take a lot of time to complete" So the !merican public woul nee to un erstan that the intentions of one person ma# not occur in a Auick an efficient manner, an it ma# even reAuire more than one Presi ential term" Gingrich:s plan for the econom# is extensive" Bven if one were to focus onl# on his economic strategies, it woul be a large categor# to examine" 7 am unsure if Gingrich woul be able to complete all of this in one term, possibl# not even in two terms" There are some issues in the countr# that ma# even take the efforts of multiple Presi ents to achieve" !s ever#one has their own rhetoric, an without closel# following a plan, an achievement ma# not take place" There has been much iscussion of a flat tax, an Gingrich continues this t#pe of thinking b# proposing on his website an optional $)C flat tax" !ccor ing to this information, !mericans woul greater free om in how the# file taxes" Hun re s of billions of ollars coul be save as a result, ue to limiting unnecessar# costs 5Newt"org6" The plan allows for a preserve benefit for charitable e uction an better situations for those who own homes" ! ressing his entire au ience,

Gingrich tells us that this new wa# of taxing is not an inconvenience to the poor, an that the povert# levels in the countr# are taken into consi eration" 7t woul seem that Gingrich

has confi ence in his plans, with the belief that he has foun a balance when it comes to taxes, so that the greatest changes will take place without causing secon ar# issues with our econom#" 8# presenting these new i eas to the au ience, if he is able to convince the !merican public to trust in his political abilities as a potential Presi ent, Gingrich woul be able to go forth with his plans" The au ience is a crucial part of the rhetorical situation" !ll parts must work together, but without the au ience Gingrich will have no one" !s another wa# to gain the attention of the voting public, he makes a claim that as presi ent he woul work to strengthen the ollar 5Newt"org6" His plan involves returning to 2Regan+era3 monetar# policies" The reforme ?e eral Reserve will greatl# benefit from this, accor ing to Gingrich" !s he references Ronal Reagan, it is obvious that Newt Gingrich is primaril# targeting Republican voters" He is concerne now about achieving the Republican Presi ential Nomination" 7n this wa# of using rhetoric, he is focuse on gaining the ma4orit# of votes awa# from the other Republicans running against him" 7 think this is a goo tactic, as if he primaril# focuse on -bama as his opponent now, he ma# miss the opportunit# to show the ifference between himself an his Republican rivals" H#potheticall#, if Gingrich woul have won the nomination, he coul then focus his rhetoric on how he woul be better for the countr# than -bama" 7n the last item on Gingrich:s list of plans to strengthen our econom#, he states that he plans to change ineffective regulations" 7 believe that Gingrich is communicating that our economic problems are not irreversible, an that all it will take to fix the econom# is to look at these issues in a new light, with a uniAue min set" These are not eas# problems to fix, as our econom# is a s#stem that is ma e of man# parts, all working together" 7n the

current econom#, we are no longer onl# focuse on our own countr#, but the entire worl , as we have become globali=e " The Presi ent will have to work with other countries to stabili=e our economic situation" Gingrich highlights several issues, such as having an !merican energ# polic#, a balance bu get, overturning -bama:s healthcare plan, an reform for entitlement programs 5Newt"org6" /hile all of these ma# have some economic ties, but other areas revolve aroun the issues, the main focus on this page is the econom#" Therefore, Gingrich focuses on how all of these programs are a part of our econom#" 7 believe that as these are issues that Gingrich feels are important, an that also nee to be reforme , that the# are thr issues in the min s of the voters, especiall# in our current economic situation" !s a part of the rhetoric Gingrich is using, he must convince his au ience that he will bring forth positive change, an that he is the in ivi ual who will be able to use iplomac# to makes his rhetoric actual polic#" /ith the econom# as a ma4or area of importance for the campaign trail, it is not the onl# categor# of importance" Gingrich has his own solutions for man# areas, with an extensive plan for national securit#" He proposes an 2honest national ialogue3 when explaining the situation of national securit# to !merican citi=ens" He places the highest importance on the safet# of !mericans" Bssentiall#, he is using rhetoric that is esigne to provi e a feeling of safet# an protection, with knowle ge that will enclose the etails 5Newt"org6" /hether or not this is Gingrich:s opinion remains, however if he can convince his au ience that he will provi e a stronger force against national securit# threats, then he ma# gain an increase in his supporters" -ne constraint that Gingrich faces is the level of anger that he is willing to portra#" 7f he uses rhetoric that is too strong, he ma# be accuse of fear mongering in or er to obtain votes" !s for the area of his

opinions, his use of the wor 2honest3 woul seem to impl# that the current a ministration is not telling the complete truth" This is a powerful charge, that ma# be taken out of context b# his competition" There is not an# evi ence that the -bama a ministration is ishonest on the topic of our national securit#" !ccusations of such coul harm Gingrich:s chances at wining the Presi enc#" 7 think that the rivalr# of 9emocrats an Republicans, inclu ing the ifference in i eas, lea s to harsh allegations at times, impl#ing that there is something evious taking place" 7t is not enough to present that both parties believe the# have the countr#:s best interest, for both si es seem to portra# the other as a force for isorgani=ation" Gingrich escribes -bama:s work on national securit# as confusing, incoherent, an troubling 5Newt"org6" The constraints that face Gingrich in his accusations inclu e -bama:s victories in the war on terror" Gingrich ma# be limite b# his Republican rivals for the nomination, but his main opponent in the election is Presi ent -bama" ?or over a eca e, terrorist -sama 8in La en threatene our countr#" Last #ear, Presi ent 8arack -bama authori=e actions that finall# locate an kille the evil 8in La en" No one can take awa# this !merican victor#, an it is a fact that 8arack -bama, a 9emocrat, is the Presi ent that took the action necessar# to take own -sama 8in La en" This alone is proof that Presi ent -bama:s national securit# policies are successful" !s for Gingrich:s e ucation plan, he has man# suggestions that will take learning to a greater level, at least in his opinion" He seeks to create a s#stem that is more flexible an in ivi uali=e , in a plan that he calls 2>$st (entur# s#stem of lifetime learning"3 He has some great information an insight into e ucation, however whether or not his plan woul be an# better than what we have now is ebatable" 7n the current situation of

e ucation, we have a program that works" 7t ma# be in nee of improvement, an man# in ivi uals have their own beliefs on how to make improvements 5Newt"org6" He speaks of a worl that is knowle ge+base an competitive an 7 believe this is true" 7n his plan for improvements, he wants their to be a focus on math an science" 7 feel that Gingrich is correct, in that we must improve the national scores in both mathematics an science, so that we are not lagging behin other nations" He mentions the nations of (hina an 7n ia, stating that we must keep up with these other countries in regar s to our e ucation s#stem 5Newt"org6" He uses rhetoric that speaks to his au ience, in that he woul like to give power to the parents when it relates to choosing a school for a #oung person" He suggests a tax cre it for those who home school chil ren an he wants there to be transparenc# an accountabilit# for ever# action" 7 believe that Gingrich has some goo points when it comes to e ucation, an that this t#pe of rhetoric will help him to become more successful" He is essentiall# speaking to ever#one, in that ever# new generation must receive a high Aualit# e ucation, in or er for the nation to survive" 7 on:t think that Gingrich can make a mistake in this categor#, unless he unfairl# attacks his opposition on the same topic" The three important categories of the econom#, national securit#, an e ucation have been a resse b# Gingrich" He has etaile a plan to maintain an in his opinion improve these s#stems 5Newt"org6" !ll three of them are highl# important to our countr#" /ithout a strong econom#, we woul not be able to support ourselves or engage the worl when it comes to business" ! lack of proper national securit# measures ma# cause man# problems that woul make our countr# a angerous place" /e must be able to efen ourselves, an it must be ma e clear to the rest of the worl that we are a might#

countr# that will not be intimi ate b# terrorists or enem# armies" /ith our e ucation s#stems, Gingrich wants there to be much improvement, with areas that man# woul probabl# agree on" 7 believe that Newt Gingrich is successful in his campaign, perhaps not in winning the nomination, but in the manner of a ressing the most important issues in the countr#" He oes not leave out an# areas of importance, an he is extensive in his political answers" There are goo an ba traits to Gingrich:s policies" 7 o not think it woul be fair to completel# praise or con emn Gingrich:s presi ential campaign" -verall, Gingrich has ha an extensive an influential political career in the Republican part#" He starte as a congressman an later became the Speaker of the House" !lthough his secon term en e in resignation, he continue to be a ma4or force in politics 5biograph#"com6" 7 feel that he has contribute greatl# to the Republican part#, an his rhetoric reflects Republican values, inclu ing his own personal wa# of thinking on the various topics" Gingrich is a goo example of how one can rise in politics after a failure, with emphasis on strategic rhetoric, an sta#ing connecte to one:s au ience"

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