Legitimizing the First Black Presidency: Cinematic History and Rhetorical Vision in Barack Obama's 2008 Victory Speech

Rhetorical studies has traditionally separated the mental images of rhetorical vision from other forms of visual rhetoric. This essay seeks to ease this distinction and show how visual culture complements visual language. I argue that contemporary culture has unique visual logics, techniques, and ways of seeing that influence how audiences engage with rhetorical vision. I examine Barack Obama's 2008 election night address and argue that he presents a cinematic history in order to legitimize the first black presidency. This essay combines ancient and modern visual theories to highlight three strategies: phantasmatic montage, synecdochical gaze, and frames of enargeia and energeia. Ultimately, this analysis calls for more attention to the enthymematic nature of rhetorical vision and its connection to visual culture.