This study presents an examination and analysis of John F. Kennedy's rhetoric in the 1960 presidential primary. First, a survey is made of Kennedy's political background prior to the West Virginia primary. Kennedy's early congressional and senatorial campaigns are discussed, along with his fortunately unsuccessful bid for the 1956 Democratic vice-presidential nomination. Kennedy's decision to run for the presidency in 1960 and preparations for his campaign are also examined. The study then explores the background of the West Virginia primary. The link between West Virginia's socio-economic status and the state's 1960 political structure is investigated. Because of the critical importance of the religious issue in the primary campaign, West Virginia's religious profile is described. / The study reviews the progress and setbacks of Kennedy's West Virginia campaign and discusses problems that arose and how they were handled. Attention is focused on Kennedy's treatment of the religious issue, his most formidable West Virginia hurdle. A description of Kennedy's three brief tours of West Virginia is given together with an account of his campaign organization and his supporters. Kennedy's immediate opponent, Hubert Humphrey, and his campaign receive brief attention. Kennedy's other opponents both in and out of the state are also discussed. Kennedy's campaign techniques, including television appearances and advertising, receive attention. / The study then focuses on Kennedy's West Virginia speeches. It examines his ethical (ethos), emotional (pathos), and logical (logos) proofs/appeals according to Aristotelian and contemporary rhetorical theory. The study analyzes Kennedy's development of six major speech themes relevant to West Virginia: religion, West Virginia's economic problems, West Virginia's potential, the federal government's neglect of West Virginia, Humphrey's unsuitability as a presidential candidate, and Kennedy's viability as a presidential candidate. / Kennedy's audible and visual delivery in the West Virginia primary (as elsewhere) also come under investigation. His mode of delivery, general appearance, bodily action, and voice are examined, together with problems of presentation and how he overcame them. Finally, the study reviews Kennedy's style in the West Virginia primary. It inspects the popular concept of style as image building. Kennedy's language is examined for the traditional classical elements of correctness, clearness, appropriateness, and embellishment. In addition the Fry formula and graph for readability/listenability is applied to twelve of Kennedy's prepared West Virginia speeches for which delivery is verified, and the results are examined for significance. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-09, Section: A, page: 3778. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74270 |
| Contributors | CREWS, JAMES MCRAE, JR., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 344 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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