Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 3.06 History, Politics, Government, and Crime
Presentation #1 Title
"Jay Rockefeller's Swan Song?" Opposition to Mining as Rhetorical Resignation
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This paper examines Senator Jay Rockefeller’s (D-WV) June 20, 2012, speech on the Senate floor in opposition to a Republican attempt to end Environmental Protection Agency regulation on mercury emissions. Specifically, I argue that this speech constituted Rockefeller’s resignation from the Senate and implicitly stated his intention not to seek reelection. Within rhetorical studies, much attention has been given to rhetorical genre and how genre influences choices made by the rhetor. By extending the work of rhetorical scholars Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson on rhetorical genre, I contend that, although Rockefeller’s speech had the appearance of a standard Senate speech, he enacted the rhetorical genre of resignation by opposing the coal mining industry. To develop this argument, first, I discuss the Rockefeller’s political history as nonnative West Virginian representing West Virginia. Second, I examine rhetorical scholarship devoted to rhetorical genre, specifically speeches of resignation. Third, I examine the relationship between Rockefeller and the coal mining industry, and how his repudiation of the industry was seen by pundits and industry members as the enactment of resignation. I conclude the essay by drawing some implications of the study for Appalachian and rhetorical scholars.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Ryan McCullough is an Instructor and Director of Oral Communication Studies at West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV.
"Jay Rockefeller's Swan Song?" Opposition to Mining as Rhetorical Resignation
Drinko Library 138
This paper examines Senator Jay Rockefeller’s (D-WV) June 20, 2012, speech on the Senate floor in opposition to a Republican attempt to end Environmental Protection Agency regulation on mercury emissions. Specifically, I argue that this speech constituted Rockefeller’s resignation from the Senate and implicitly stated his intention not to seek reelection. Within rhetorical studies, much attention has been given to rhetorical genre and how genre influences choices made by the rhetor. By extending the work of rhetorical scholars Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson on rhetorical genre, I contend that, although Rockefeller’s speech had the appearance of a standard Senate speech, he enacted the rhetorical genre of resignation by opposing the coal mining industry. To develop this argument, first, I discuss the Rockefeller’s political history as nonnative West Virginian representing West Virginia. Second, I examine rhetorical scholarship devoted to rhetorical genre, specifically speeches of resignation. Third, I examine the relationship between Rockefeller and the coal mining industry, and how his repudiation of the industry was seen by pundits and industry members as the enactment of resignation. I conclude the essay by drawing some implications of the study for Appalachian and rhetorical scholars.
