A Comparative Pentadic Analysis of Mediated Presidential Discourse During 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina Nadia Michele Aljabri Thesis submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Dr. Robert E. Denton, Jr., Chair Dr. Rachel L. Holloway Dr. Jim A. Kuypers 27 April 2006 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: Kenneth Burke, Pentad, President George W. Bush, September 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, television news media, broadcast news media, primetime network news, rhetorical presidency, presidential crisis rhetoric Copyright 2007, Nadia Michele Aljabri A Comparative Pentadic Analysis of Mediated Presidential Discourse During 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina Nadia Michele Aljabri ABSTRACT In his first term as president, George W. Bush was confronted with one of the worst national attacks in United States history: the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001. Through the devastation, however, President Bush triumphed in unifying and guiding this nation during what would become the height of his rhetorical leadership. Following his reelection in 2004, President Bush faced one of the worst natural disasters in the nation‘s history: Category 4 Hurricane Katrina. In its aftermath, Katrina became known as ―one of the worst mishandled disasters ever.‖ Utilizing Kenneth Burke‘s pentad, this study analyzes the president‘s rhetorical response and the primetime network news coverage following each crisis in an attempt to determine how President Bush could fare so well in one instance, consoling and leading the American people, while falling short in his second major crisis during his term as president. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DEDICATION Words cannot convey what a rollercoaster ride this adventure was for me. This process was unlike anything I had ever known and stretched me more intellectually than I ever dreamed. However, I would not be where I am today without the love and support of some very special people in my life and I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge them for their contributions. First and foremost, I have to thank God. He is my savior and I live to serve Him. Whenever I felt lost, I found comfort in prayer and asking for His guidance. Secondly, I would like to thank my thesis committee. I am honored to say that each of them has a piece of themselves within this work. I am forever indebted to my fearless leader and thesis chair, the legendary Dr. Robert E. Denton, otherwise known as Dr. Bob. He was there from the beginning of this idea and worked hand-in-hand with me throughout this learning ―process.‖ He was not only my thesis chair, but also a true mentor who truly cared about my wellbeing inside and outside of academia. Dr. Bob, I hope I succeeded in leaving a few strands of hair on your head. You will always hold a special place in my heart as my ―academic father.‖ Dr. Holloway, my second committee member, also served as an integral force in my journey. Thank you for taking the time to help me get ―untangled‖ with Burke and showing me how to let the text speak to me. Last, but surely not least, Dr. Jim Kuypers, my third committee member was always there with words of encouragement and advice on how to ―just get it done.‖ He and his wife, Tammy, provided a wealth of support whenever I had any doubts. Dr. Kuypers, I will carry your words of wisdom with me for the rest of my life. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Department of Communication at Virginia Tech. After being in this program for four years as an undergraduate, there was no other place I would have rather completed my graduate work. Their support for their students, both undergraduates and graduates, is absolutely amazing. Thank you to the entire faculty members who helped me grow and develop into a true scholar. A special thank you goes to Dr. John Tedesco, our Director of Graduate Studies. He has always worked hard to ensure the graduate students had what they needed to succeed. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Beth Waggenspack. This idea arose from her Rhetorical Criticism class and without her unwavering support during that first semester, this thesis may have never come into existence. iii Finally, I would like to thank my friends and family. My fellow graduate students have become some of the best friends I could ever have; however, I do not think I would have made it through this program without a few in particular. Kristin English has been my best friend, my confidant, and someone I could always count on. Kristin, no matter what, we will always have ―phenomenology‖ (do-do, do, do, do-do. .). Amanda Vert and Lauren Rutherford (undergraduate), my roommates and social partners-in-crime, were always there to make sure I got out of the office and apartment to join the living world occasionally. Girls, I only wish that I could have kept you around during the entire two years. I cannot thank you enough for all of the wonderful memories. Scott Dunn, my teaching mentor, and fellow mentee Jason Moldoff, carried me through my first year of graduate school with plenty of encouragement and lightened the mood with their witty jokes. Thank you for lending an ear and making me laugh even in the most tense moments. In addition to these wonderful colleagues, I could not have made it through this process without my significant other, Staff Sergeant Nathen Baker. He was there for me during some of my lowest points, constantly trying to convince me that I was a genius and reminding me that ―if it was easy, everyone would do it.‖ My godparents, Mary and Brad Grems, always made sure that I slept and ate on a regular basis and offered home cooked meals whenever I had the time to visit. My parents and younger sister did their best to support me from afar. Even though they never truly understood this whole ―graduate school‖ or ―thesis‖ process, they were always there for me in any and every way they knew how. I owe everything that I am and everything that I have become to these special people in my life. I could not have done it without your endless love and support. I dedicate my work in honor of each and every one of you. Thank you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract .................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements and Dedication .....................................................................................iii Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................v Chapter 1. Introduction .........................................................................................................1 Presidential Discourse, Crisis, and Television News ................................................2 Chapter 2. Theoretical Foundations and Methods of Analysis .............................................8 Presidential Leadership .............................................................................................8 The Power of the News Media ..................................................................................15 Lens of Study ............................................................................................................19 Chapter 3. Freedom at War with Fear: The September 11 Terrorist Attacks .......................26 Network News Coverage: Setting the Stage for the President‘s Address ................29 President‘s Address to Congress, the American People and the World ...................42 Post-News Coverage: Responding to the President‘s Address .................................50 Summary and Conclusions .......................................................................................54 Chapter 4. Overcoming the Dirge: Hurricane Katrina ...........................................................57 Network News Coverage: Setting the Stage for the President‘s Address ................59 The Monolog: President‘s Address to the Nation ......................................................87 Post-News Coverage: The Finale ..............................................................................93 Closing the Curtain: Summary and Conclusions ......................................................97 Chapter 5. Discussion: September 11 vs. Hurricane Katrina ................................................99 Chapter 6. Conclusion: Surviving Through Crisis ................................................................112 Appendices .............................................................................................................................117 Appendix A: President George W. Bush‘s Utterances .............................................117 A-1: Presidential Utterances Pertaining to the September 11 Terrorist Attacks .......117 A-2: Presidential Utterances Pertaining to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina ......118 Appendix B: Presidential Addresses .........................................................................119 B-1: Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People ...................119 B-2: President Discusses Hurricane Relief in Address to the Nation .......................124 Appendix C: Network News Broadcasts ..................................................................129 C-1: September 11 Terrorist Attacks ........................................................................129 C-2: Hurricane Katrina .............................................................................................133