Through a detailed account of John McCain’s prominent virtues and his condemnation of the deterioration of today’s politics, former President, Barack Obama, most significantly builds pathos to strike his audience with the urgency of extending morality as they live as American citizens, while simultaneously imploring that they liberate their participation in politics that ensue harm rather than influence. To contrast, former President, George Bush, likewise presents a eulogy for John McCain and expresses many of the same elements as Obama; however, he appeals to the audience by utilizing a stronger ethos rather than pathos. Although any eulogy unwittingly touches upon the emotions of the audience due to the prevalence of a death, Bush fixates on the credibility of McCain’s noble character with a congregation of examples that outline his virtuous actions.
Interestingly, unlike Obama, Bush discusses actions of the past to build up John McCain’s character by acknowledging the journey he ventured from a Vietnam prison cell to his position in senate. Additionally, he inserts brief dialogue of “Relax, relax!” while highlighting his support and friendly encouragement with an example of his bravery by standing up to a bully.
Although utilizing examples of his moral actions as not only a Senator but a person may appeal to the emotions of the audience in that juxtaposing greatness and the end of greatness (which deems to be McCain) ensues supreme disparity, but it also utilizes ethos by shedding light on the unfortunate occurrence by positively validating the credibility of the principled man he glorifies.
Nonetheless, I applaud Bush’s approach of expressing McCain’s legacy by presenting it in a manner similar to Obama’s, but ultimately translating it differently; not only does the credibility of his principles elevate after Bush’s kind words, but Bush’s incessant emphasis ultimately showcases his true character. Repeating McCain’s insistence of “We are better than this. America is better than this” conclusively encompasses his passion and unwavering drive to improve his country, while validating its credibility through repetition. Therefore, with the message clear in the mind of his audience members, Bush implores the significance of memory of people with values that are worth remembering and worth carrying on even after death.