Third Presidential Debate "Energy, Foreign Oil"

Each candidate tries to use logos to explain why his plan makes more sense or is more logical. Senator McCain pushes the use of nuclear energy, and also wishes to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Although Obama argues that nuclear power could be harmful or dangerous, McCain logically implies that navy ships have been powered by nuclear energy for years and carried nuclear power plants on them and there has been no problem. Obama on the other hand thinks that it would be logical to use more natural forms of energy: natural gas, biofuels, etc., because they are plentiful in the United States, and are better for the environment. He also wants to utilize the fuel resources we have by drilling into the acres of land that have not been harvested for oil yet, especially with offshore drilling. Another part of the logical scheme he has developed is to create more fuel-efficient cars to compensate for the lack of fuel resources.

Senator Obama appeals more to the emotions of the people for this question than does McCain. Obama talks about the hardships that Americans face because of the dwindling economy and the increasing cost of energy because of dependence on foreign fuel. McCain lacks the appeal to America’s emotions, but rather focuses more on the next point, ethos.

Image is very important to establish as candidates trying to be the leader of our nation. McCain tries to discredit the character of Obama by bringing up some of his policies about free trade. He uses logic to show that Obama’s plan is flawed, which sends Obama into needing to protect his point. Obama is trying to defend the statement that he said that America would unilaterally renegotiate NAFTA and Canada can sell their oil to China. Even though he makes an attempt to restore his ethos, the negatively charged idea of “free-trade” is stuck with him after McCain’s initial attack.

When the two candidates arrange the order of items to talk about in their argument they have to consider how it will affect the audience, depending on which points are stronger. McCain gets to answer first on this question, which could be an advantage because he gets to start off the subject the way he wants is to go. It could also be a disadvantage because Obama will get the last word in. McCain starts with a strong statement. He says that America can eliminate dependence on Middle Eastern oil and Venezuelan oil. Such a strong statement as this captures the attention of the listener immediately. He then goes into a more detailed plan, and makes comments about why Obama’s plan is ineffective early on. This strategy works because Obama cannot immediately defend himself. When it is Obama’s turn to answer the question, he also chooses to start with broad generalities and then works into specifics. He implies the technique of getting the last word in by defending his policies and slightly diverges from the main point to emphasize one of his stronger ideals of supporting the working American.