Empty Playing Fields: Common Commonplaces in US Politics

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Empty Playing Fields Common Commonplaces in US
Politics
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Commonplace

• an expression, the definition and truth of which
  is commonly or generally accepted by a given
  group or community

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Commonplace

• a boiled-down argumentan argument that stands
  on the common assumptions of the group or
  community

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Commonplace

• commonplaces provide points of reference and
  a set of prearticulated explanations that are
  readily available to organize and interpret
  experience (Bartholomae 1985).

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Examples of CPs in politics
insert movie of clips from Obama-McCain
political commercials/speeches using
commonplaces
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CP Emerald City Syndrome

• CPs are often used as lenses through which all
  other issues may be viewed

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CP political issue filter

• War on Terror
• What do we need to do to keep our families safe?
• National Health care
• What should happen to keep families healthy?
• Gay marriage
• How will this affect my definition/understanding
  of families?
• 2nd Amendment
• How do we view this issue with regards to happy
  and secure families?
• Economy
• What economic policies will support families?

CP Family Values
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Common CPs

• Similar commonplaces different parties

Support family values Win the war on
terror Improve economic opportunity Ensure fiscal
responsibility Maintain a strong national
defense Lower dependence on foreign oil Defend
human dignity and life Enact meaningful education
reform Overhaul tax code Guarantee equal
opportunity Act on global climate change Secure
our borders Support our troops Provide quality
healthcare Enhance quality of life Pay our debt
to veterans Seek alternative energy
technology Protect social security
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Defining common CPs
Family values
no gay marriage, nuclear family, pro-life, censor
some expression
gay marriage, flexible families,
pro-choice, freedom of expression
The uninitiated have a difficult time defining
family values as used by the different
candidates.
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Defining common CPs
The battle over change
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Party Specific CPs

• The Bush Administration lacks respect for other
  nations views and is maverick in its approach to
  foreign affairs, causing the quagmire of Iraq
  and Afghanistan, for example.

our foreign policy requires a new era of
alliances

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Party Specific CPs
Democrats will reduce US security and diplomatic
independence by requiring a global test.

a new era of alliances
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How common are CPs?

• The ___________ Party is committed to keeping
  our nation safe and expanding opportunity for
  every American.
• ___________ support fair immigration reform that
  keeps our borders secure.
• ____________ will continue to support renewable
  energy through extension of the production tax
  credit for wind and biomass, as well as efforts
  to expand the use of biodiesel and ethanol, which
  can reduce Americas dependence on foreign oil
  while increasing revenues to farmers.
• Our nation stands as a shining example to all
  the world of freedom and democracy, a unique
  honor that comes with a responsibility to lead.
• Social Security is a promise made by this
  country to its citizens and ___________ will keep
  that promise.
• The ____________ Party believes in balanced
  budgets and paying down our national debt
• Every child deserves a first-rate education
  because every child holds infinite potential, and
  we should give them every opportunity to reach
  it.

Democratic
Democrats
Republicans
Democrats
Republicans
Democratic
Republicans
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