The Republican Rhetoric of Identification With Gay and Lesbian Voters in the 2000 Presidential Campaign

Abstract

The apparent resonation of George W. Bush and the Republican Party with gay and lesbian Americans secured 25% of their vote in the 2000 presidential election. Before offering an analysis of the 2000 Republican campaign rhetoric aimed at lesbians–gays, the article makes a case for the power of their vote in determining who took the presidential office in January of 2001. The major focus of the work centers on a study of the Republicans' efforts to identify with gay and lesbian voters. Relying on Kenneth Burke and other noted theorists, the article examines four key events: (a) an April 13, 2000, gathering with lesbian and gay representatives; (b) the 2000 Republican national convention; (c) the vice presidential campaign debate; and (d) the second presidential campaign debate. A final section discusses the significance of the study, especially regarding political candidates wanting to identify with previously unfriendly voting groups.

Notes

An earlier version of this article was presented at the 2002 annual meeting of the National Communication Association.