"Faith in America" Appeals

           The purpose of Mitt Romney’s speech, Faith in America, was to both convince the American people that his religion would not interfere with his presidency were he to be elected and to inform the nation of the important role that religion plays in America’s freedom.

            In appealing to ethos, Romney credibility was established several ways. First, in simply being able to speak at the George Bush Presidential Library and being introduced by the president himself gives him validity. He also had the appropriate point of view, explaining to the people why he would be a reliable president. He shares personal information with his audience as well, revealing to them his political background as the Governor of Massachusetts and the ways in which he separates church and state.

            With pathos, he connected with his audience through his word choice and examples. He related to other religious groups by expressing his love for the different admirable qualities of them. He also uses multiple quotes from noteworthy people: John Adams, Lincoln, Jesus Christ. He recounted a story of the colonists who prayed for success and who through their endeavoring faith, founded this great nation.

            Romney was effective as well in his logos. He conveyed sufficient examples of how religion was the cause of much freedom and America’s development, of the ineffectiveness of a single established church, and the dangers of a theocratic tyranny. It was relevant due to those seeking to remove God from public domain; Romney argued that God in America is necessary.