Jonas Gahr Støre, en mann av folket? En retorisk analyse av Jonas Gahr Støre i den TV-sendte partilederdebatten 12. august 2019

Abstract

Some of the background for thisdebate is that the Labour Partys leader has been accused ofbeing unclear and vague regarding his political communication. His educational background and fortune contributed to him being described as an «elite». This thesis wants to discoverto which extentStøre tries to appear as an «ordinary citizen». With a hermeneutic apprach, this thesis wants to uncover specific rhetorical toolsused by Støre, and his total performance in this debate. This thesis will illuminate and use rhetorical perspectives from political communication to explain why Støre appeared the way he did. In this political debate, Støre tries to appear as an «ordinary» or «common» citizen, by telling his personal stories as a dad and grandfather. The voters can easier relate themselves to Støre as a person in this way. Støre is also using emotionally charged stories about his mom at a nursing home. In this way he is showing a vulnerable and sensitive dimension of his personal life. Støres body language and oral messages indicates that he is active and engaged in his argumentation. Støre is trying to indicate that a political change is necessary, by using simple political statements, and by appearing as an «ordinary citizen».