2018 OHIO MIDTERM ELECTIONS
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
OHIO GOVERNOR
Scroll down for analysis of Libertarian candidate Travis Irvine.
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RICHARD CORDRAY (D)
​Cordray successfully persuades undecided voters to support him in the 2018 Ohio Gubernatorial race through the use of rhetorical appeals, figurative language, and diction.
In his responses to questions about gun control, healthcare, and his credibility as the Ohio Attorney General, Cordray successfully uses Ethos and Pathos to make his claims relatable to Ohio voters; however, his use of Logos is irrelevant, and his diction and tone are off-putting and unprofessional, making his answers ineffective and unsuccessful.
In the October 8th Ohio Gubernatorial Debate, Cordray employs the rhetorical appeals of ethos and logos through the use of statistical evidence and prior knowledge to effectively convince his intended audience of both democrats and middle-of-the-road republicans, who vote on topic rather than party, to vote for him.
Richard Cordray has a fair amount of credibility having worked with the government through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and he uses this credibility to convince the audience during the debate that he would be the best choice for Ohio state governor.
Cordray demonstrates how he is better equipped for Ohio over his opponent, through the use of logical reasoning and emotional appeal.
Richard Cordray uses a unique fusion of ethos and pathos that was forged by our current political climate, only using logos to highlight this, with his main focus being on pathos and ethos.
Although Richard Cordray struggles with pacing and staying on topic throughout his speech, he successfully convinces his audience of spectators at the Ohio State Fair of his appeal as a candidate through the use of logos and pathos.
Cordray addresses women’s issues by providing statics and strong evidence as well as using emotional language to appeal to women voters and earn their votes.
TRAVIS IRVINE (L)
Irvine's speech at the 2018 LPO convention successfully portrays his political competency to the LPO using pathos and logos, but his humorous tone causes his speech to fall short for other audiences.
MIKE DEWINE (R)
Mike DeWine’s use of logos and pathos, establishes a friendly and formal tone to persuade effectively the voters of his qualification for governor.
DeWine includes resourceful information that he fulfills the promises of Ohioans through the help of other hard working Americans to persuade young voters that the new democracy and economy can indeed work.
DeWine successfully convinces Ohioans to vote for him during the debate on October 8th 2018, through his plans to improve education, the opioid crisis, and workforce through his credibility, statics, and emotion.
Although Mike DeWine’s use of ethos and logos in his October 8th debate are successful for convincing citizens to vote for him rather than his opponent, his rhetoric is weakened by his lack of pathos.
“Big Heart” effectively convinces Ohio voters that Mike DeWine will be a successful Ohio governor through the usage of logos and pathos.
Mike DeWine effectively convinces to the majority of Ohioan voters in his ad, “Best Friends,” to vote for him, through the use of rhetoric that appeals to families, those with adverse experiences, and those seeking employment.
The RGA’s attempt to convince women voters to not vote for Richard Cordray is initially successful due to its use of ethos and pathos; however, when one researches the statements made in the advertisement, the ad loses its effectiveness.
DeWine campaign website effectively persuades Ohio voters to elect him as Governor through straightforward and logical information about educational improvements.
DeWine successfully reaches the Ohio voters to vote for him by using personal stories to emphasize pathos, further supported by ethos, logos, and an effective use of repetition in his speech.