Obama, The Manipulator

Obama’s first argument utilizes pathos when he describes the possibility of the Kenyan couple to pursue their dream in America. He uses more pathos when he explains that “we are a better country than…”, during minute 7 of his speech. He further pushes with Pathos when he talks about the “Nation  of Whiners” during minute 12. It appears as if his main rhetorical method is pathos. Later, we see him use logos during minute 13 when he explains how McCain doesn’t understand the people’s feelings and needs. He uses this logos argument to adapt it to pathos. He talks about progress when he mentions the millions of jobs that were acquired during Clinton’s rule (min. 15). He keeps using pathos when he talks about his grandmother, who “poured everything she had” into Obama’s future (min. 17). During minute 19, he uses logos to describe the “American Promise”, and he implies that all he describes he can provide, evoking pathos. He uses logos when criticizing senator McCain during minute 22 when he describes his (McCain’s) need for obstructing the detoxification of the oil dependency from the middle east. I notice how Obama’s primary rhetorical method is pathos, which he supports with logical (Logos) statements. He reaches his public by understanding their wants. He knows they want health, money (enough for their child’s tuition…), liberty of time management (to be able to tend to their sick child without getting fired), and oil independence from the Middle East. He knows that each of the people present are against Bush’s government and will use the idea to his advantage. He explains the need for healthcare and education during minute 25, evoking pathos. Pathos is so heavily used that I’m starting to realize that it is probably the second most effective method, after Logos. He utilizes a bit of logos when he speaks during the effectiveness of the Iraqi war during minute 31. Near the end, he uses ethos to imply that the responsibility and need of the people is enough to vote for the American Promise. Either way, I felt greatly manipulated by his arguments that evoked pathos, for they were so full of meaning and complete with assurance, that anyone would have been moved, I know I was. (Until I realize what is really happening.)