Marco Rubio's Impressive Speech

"As Cabinet members snarl at representatives and senators, and social media fills with semiliterate trolling and insults by public officials, we need to remember that rhetoric-the art of persuasive speech-still matters. Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, gave an excellent demonstration of that fact at this year's Munich Security Conference. Any contemporary speech carries the burden of multiple audiences. In this administration, the first and most important is the volatile and tempestuous president."

"But at Munich, there are other audiences as well: those in the room who represent not only a European but a global national-security elite; European and other politicians outside the room who care chiefly about domestic politics but are aware of international politics; real and potential enemies; and an American audience taking the measure of its country's leaders. Delivering speeches at Munich is a perilous business."

Rhetoric and persuasive speech remain important tools in international affairs and public life. Multiple audiences shape contemporary political communication, including a volatile president, national-security elites, foreign politicians, adversaries, and domestic publics. High-profile addresses can have career consequences, as exemplified by a 2018 podium-thumping warning about proliferation and jihadists that preceded dismissal after political backlash. Belligerent, nativist tones can win partisan praise yet alienate allies and broader publics. Measured, audience-aware communication can flatter key constituencies without appearing groveling and can manage domestic and international perceptions simultaneously. Successful messaging at global security forums requires strategic tone and awareness of varied audiences.

Read at The Atlantic