A Rhetorical Analysis of the State of the Union in 2003

President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address (SUA)

President George W. Bush convened both houses of Congress on January 28, 2003, to deliver his third State of the Union Address (SUA), as prescribed by the Constitution and custom. Unlike previous SUAs, this one carried a message that would be both significant and life-changing for many Americans. America and the rest of the world had seen Saddam Hussein's open disdain for the authority of UN weapons inspectors and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff within his borders, as shown by the concealment and transfer of his weapons to avoid detection. Per information available from several sources, and cited by President Bush, Hussein continued his quest for weapons of mass destruction and an arsenal to deliver them wherever he saw fit. While hard evidence linking Iraq to weapons of mass destruction was never found, President Bush decided to use his 2003 SUA to ramp up support in the United States and abroad for a war in Iraq.

Bush's Use of Pathos and Emotion to Build His Case

To begin building his case, Bush used pathos to vilify Saddam Hussein in the eyes of the American people and the world by calling him “a brutal dictator, with a history of reckless aggression, [and] ties to terrorism” (Bush). His use of the phrases “brutal dictator” and “reckless aggression” are particularly useful in creating the image of Saddam Hussein as somewhat of a mad man. In describing Saddam’s covert chemical and biological weapons’ programs, Bush repeatedly reminds the audience of the audacity of Saddam’s actions by saying “He has not accounted for that material. He has given no evidence that he has destroyed it” (Bush). Bush also used pathos in outlining the atrocities committed by Saddam on his own people by stating “International human rights groups have catalogued… methods used in the torture chambers of Iraq; electric shock, burning with hot irons, dripping acid on the skin, mutilation with electric drills, cutting out tongues, and rape” (Bush). By emphasizing these points, Bush is making his case for the action that he feels is necessary to stop Saddam’s flagrant violations of UN mandates which he brought to fruition about 45 days later with the invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003.

Winning Hearts and Minds: Bush's Approach to Gathering Support

Bush’s next tactic was to win “hearts and minds” of the American people, the U.S. military, as well as the people of Iraq and to gather support for the invasion of Iraq. To the people of Iraq, Bush used logos by letting them know that America was not their enemy and emphasizing “your enemy is ruling your country” (Bush). To the U.S. Armed Forces, Bush used pathos to prepare them emotionally for the struggle they would soon face by explaining “the success of our cause will depend on you” and “You believe in America, and America believes in you” (Bush). He then goes on to use logos to note “For the brave Americans who bear the risk [the U.S. military] no victory is free from sorrow” and “This nation fights reluctantly because we know the cost and we dread the days of mourning that always come” (Bush). This is a standard strategy that many leaders use before sending troops into battle to boost pride and morale. Finally, Bush wanted to reassure the American people that if war was necessary, the utmost care would be taken to proceed “sparing, in every way we can, the innocent” (Bush). To conclude, appealing for the guidance of God, Bush reassured the American people that “Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation” (Bush).

Works Cited

Bush, George W. “Excerpt from the 2003 State of the Union Address.”