George W. Bush's post-September 11 rhetoric of covenant renewal: upholding the faith of the greatest generation

Abstract

The appeal of Bush's post-September 11 discourse lies in its similarities with the Puritan rhetoric of covenant renewal by which ministers brought second- and third-generation Puritans into the church. Through this epideictic discourse, Bush implored younger Americans to uphold the national covenant of their “elders,” the World War II generation, through support of the war on terrorism, and he revitalized the faith of the older generation. Bush's covenant renewal rhetoric in the context of September 11 inaugurated him into the presidency. It also explains his predilection for unilateral and/or pre-emptive action and his call for acts of local community service.

Keywords:

• George W. Bush,
• World War II,
• September 11,
• covenant renewal rhetoric,
• jeremiad,
• epideictic rhetoric,
• war on terrorism