Dole's Speaking Skills Make Her Potential Vice Presidential Choice

May 26, 2000

Allentown, Pa. -- As a possible Republican vice presidential candidate, Elizabeth Hanford Dole must win public and media acceptance as a female candidate. Her rhetorical skills, backed by a solid record of public service, makes her equal to that task, according to two Penn State speech communications experts.

"Dole carefully weighs her various rhetorical roles, using a set of verbal and non-verbal strategies that have resulted in a distinctive public persona or image," says Dr. Nichola D. Gutgold, lecturer in speech communication at Penn State's Lehigh Valley Campus near Allentown, Pa. "The flexibility and dexterity of her political rhetoric reflect her multiple roles as wife of Republican presidential candidate Robert Dole, twice a Cabinet secretary, American Red Cross president and a presidential candidate herself.

"In the art of speechmaking, she is not only accomplished but prolific," Gutgold adds. "In 1999, her assistant told me that on average she gave three major speeches a week."

Gutgold and Dr. Molly Meijer Wertheimer, associate professor of speech communication and women's studies at Penn State's Hazleton Campus in Northeast Pennsylvania, are co-authors of the book, "The Rhetoric Of Elizabeth Hanford Dole," to be published this summer by Greenwood Press.

They take issue with some reporters who complain that Dole's style is too rigid or controlled. Such sentiments were expressed, for instance, in a May 24, 1999, Time magazine alleging that Dole was upset when a little girl assigned as a "human prop" had to use the restroom in the middle of Dole's speech. The Penn State researchers' analysis of some of Dole's major speeches reveals six important features: use of inclusive pronouns, storytelling, self-disclosure, nonverbal immediacy, moral content and feminine style.

"In everyone of her speeches that we studied, Dole's use of personal pronouns such as `I' is significant," says Wertheimer. "In each speaking situation, she frequently used narratives and personal anecdotes, thus creating an immediate, inclusive environment with her audience."

"Dole's storytelling is typically autobiographical, as evidenced by her remarks at her 1989 secretary of labor confirmation hearing," Wertheimer notes. "Dole recalls, for instance, how she held a staff meeting to target senators who had not yet declared for one of President Reagan's initiatives. She ended the session abruptly at 6 p.m., announcing that she was going home to cook a candlelight dinner. When her deputy reminded her that she was not finished targeting undecided senators, she answered, `Tonight, I'm targeting Bob Dole.' "

Dole's storytelling techniques allows her ample opportunity for self-disclosure, in which she admits her inner battles, especially in the area of religious faith, the researchers says.

In her 1987 National Prayer Breakfast Speech, Dole observed, "Total commitment to Christ is a high and difficult calling. And one I will struggle with the rest of my days. But I know that for me, it's the only life worth living, the only life worthy of our Lord."

Gutgold notes that Dole's most striking use of nonverbal immediacy occurred in her 1996 GOP convention speech, during which she descended twelve steps from a large podium in order to mingle with the audience and introduce nonspeaking guests. She later explained that her audience responded much better when all physical barriers were removed between her and her listeners.

Dole does not hesitate to infuse her speeches with moral and religious content and frequently concludes her speech with the words, "God bless you."

Her feminine style was demonstrated effectively in a rousing speech at the 1988 Republican convention, in which she tried to persuade women in the audience that voting Republican was in their best interest, politically and economically. Her tone was one of urgency, even stridency, which she softened by wearing a bright blue polka dot dress, formed fitted with three- quarter length puffed sleeves. This outfit was a striking and no doubt deliberate departure from Dole's accustomed dress: a suit in a male-tailored cut popular in the 1980s.

"Our study of Dole shows that women who serve as both spouses of candidates and high level administrators in their own right -- Hillary Rodham Clinton is the other classic example -- must be able to adapt their rhetorical tools to match the situation. Both women have amply demonstrated their ability to do that," Wertheimer says.

"This has important implications for women in politics, especially those seeking the highest posts," Gutgold adds. "Even when she declared her withdrawal as a presidential candidate, Dole expressed pleasure in knowing that her bid for office had helped pave the way for other women. Her candidacy has undoubtedly made the public more psychologically accepting of a woman in the presidential role."

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Contacts:

Paul Blaum (814) 865-9481 (o)

Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 (o)/ (814) 238-1221 (h)

EDITORS: Dr. Gutgold is at (610) 285-5000 (office) and (610) 298-8903 (home), or at by email; Dr. Wertheimer is at (570) 450-3051, or at by email.