After reading this week’s chapter in Perspectives on Political Communication A Case Approach, it made me wonder if politicians get away with more lies then other people. As well as, if an apology is truly an apology coming from a politician. In this week’s chapter it discusses president Clinton and Lewinksy’s scandalous affair, and the concept of apologia and how this concept has had quite the history. In fact the term apologia doesn’t necessarily really mean I am sorry, it is more to explain why. I find this completely upsetting because it seems to be very true in the world of politics. For instance John Edwards and what has been going on with him and his many mistresses. In an article from the National Enquirer called “Sen. John Edwards Caught With Mistress And Love Child,” Author Emily Miller, affairs media consultant discusses this concept of apologia and as much as Edward’s is sorry, he isn’t truly sorry.
It’s interesting to me how politicians get away with lies and then when the truth comes out then the apology starts to surface. As much as these “apologies” seem sincere, I truly don’t believe it, because many of these men go back to the other woman. Very rarely do we see the women stand by there man, and why should they? This article explains how John Edward’s wife is battling cancer, yet he has been seeing a woman the entire time and even had a child with her. When Edward’s was confronted with this rumor all he had to say was "The story is false. It's completely untrue, ridiculous," adding: "Anyone who knows me knows that I have been in love with the same woman for 30-plus years." Now that this has become openly public to all he admits to having a child and says "I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves.... It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter." This is exactly going back to the concept of apologia, I see this as more of an explanation then actually coming out and saying sorry.
Article
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/65193
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melissa good post, I agree that politicians do not "apologize" until the truth comes out. Then politicians are forced to state an apology or it will make them look bad. To me, when something negative happens to a politican, they have a planned process of how to get through it and help save their image and that is why politicians apologies do not appear sincere. A scandalous event occurs, and politicians explain what happened and apologize more to the media than the affected individuals. I think politicans do get away with more lies than other people. Until they are forced to apologize and the truth is uncovered, politicians deny any accusations, even if they are true. I feel this pertains to how politicians have power over others. Politicians have the power to try and persuade a mass audience to believe their side of the story, despite what the truth may be.
ReplyDeleteI thought your post was really interesting. Why is it that people who epect us to trust them with serious matters at the local, state, and national levels think it is okay to lie and carry on affairs as if the public will not find out? This is not a way to earn trust from the American people. The John Edwards scandal is a one of the worst though. And like you said, he never even really apologized. I think this really did him in when it comes to running for president again. I do not think the American public will ever trust him again.
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