The Oratory of Hillary Clinton

Abstract

Hillary Clinton is in a unique position, having occupied four of the most important and symbolic public offices in American politics. She was a political spouse, notably changing the perception and role of the First Lady. She was the first First Lady to move from the White House to the Senate. She was a viable candidate for the presidency in 2008 and finally she held one of the most important political posts in the presidential cabinet as Secretary of State. This is not the end of course as she may yet hold a fifth role, that of president if she wins in 2016. Clinton therefore can, and has, been analysed and commented on from a variety of different perspectives and angles. As spouse, legislator, candidate, and most recently diplomat she successfully occupied and redefined the contemporary political woman in America. She has spawned a whole genre of ‘Hillary studies’ and attracted praise and vitriol in equal measure (Lakoff, 2008: 174).