Why do republicans constantly and inefficiently use the word "rhetoric" when describing the "Change" slogan?

Question

The Republicans on Y!A have even changed their screen names to misuse this word.

I've heard 3 or 4 pundits on the radio complaining about the "rhetoric" from the Obama campaign...

Don't they know that the word they are looking for is cliché - not rhetoric?

And why are Republicans the only one's talking about it all the time?

I counted the number of times they used the word "rhetoric" on Fox in one hour - 7 times.

It's their favorite word this month...

Answer 1

Where there are slogans, there is usually rhetoric to go with it. Maybe that's what they're referring to. Why do you use the word "inefficiently" when you seem to mean "inaccurately"?

Answer 2

Because one of the definition's of rhetoric is: "An insincere eloquence intended to win points and manipulate others".

In other words, it's all words and no substance. He's a feel good kinda guy that it looking for ways to win your vote by listing off a bunch of hotbutton issues, with no real plan on how to effectively address these issues, or no real experience that demonstrates he can address these issues. Only idealogy.

Answer 3

It's a shortened term for "rhetorical" that can be appropriate when used in a certain context.

Defintion:

Employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected.

Answer 4

All of politics is rhetoric.  Going back and forth about who's more honest than whom, who lied and who didn't (they all lie), etc. is all rhetoric.

Answer 5

Because constant repetition of the empty change mantra fits the definition of rhetoric.