WHAT REAGAN SAID TO THE EVANGELICALS

THE RELIGIOUS RHETORIC OF RONALD REAGAN

By JOHN CHARLES RYOR

2015

https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:291331/datastream/PDF/view

ABSTRACT

 This dissertation examines the religious rhetoric of Ronald Reagan as part of a strategy to rebuild his political base following a disappointing level of support after his first two years in office. In particular, this examination will focus on a triad of speeches given to Christian Evangelicals within ninety days of a re-election Memorandum issued by Reagan Pollster, Dick Wirthlin.

 I will closely examine the texts of Reagan’s early 1983 speeches to the National Religious Broadcasters, National Prayer Breakfast and the National Association of Evangelicals.

In doing so I will show the way that the three speeches worked to convey the President’s agenda in language that was commonly shared not only by those three groups but also by President Reagan. I’ll argue that by using an intensified language of identifying symbols and linguistic nuances, the President was able to speak with a rhetorical urgency that was rooted in both the history of the Evangelical movement and Ronald Reagan’s personal religious experience.

Additionally, I’ll show how Reagan’s ability to linguistically identify with politically conservative Evangelical Christians was how he was able to successfully regain their confidence.

 The project will include original archival research from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and first person interviews with key Evangelical leaders who will assist in helping to better understand the context in which these speeches were given.

 The primary question asked and answered will be: “What did President Reagan say to rouse the support and attention of Evangelicals as part of a rebuilt coalition for his 1984 reelection?”