Grief, Glory, and Political Capital in the Capitol: Presidents Eulogizing Presidents

Kunkel and Dennis (2003 Kunkel , A. D. & Dennis , M. R. ( 2003 ). Grief consolation in eulogy rhetoric: An integrative framework . Death Studies , 27 ( 1 ), 1 – 38 . [PUBMED] [INFOTRIEVE] [CSA] [CROSSREF] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) established a framework for the examination of contemporary eulogia drawn from the comforting and social support paradigms found in psychology and communication literatures. Dennis and Kunkel (2004 Dennis , M. R. & Kunkel , A. D. (2004). Fallen heroes, lifted hearts: Consolation in contemporary Presidential eulogia. Death Studies , 28(8), 703–731. [PUBMED] [INFOTRIEVE] [CSA] [CROSSREF] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) applied the framework to eulogies for fallen national heroes (e.g., victims of terrorism and space shuttle astronauts) delivered by American presidents, and both illustrated its utility and noted several minor variations (e.g., presidents did not establish credibility early in speeches or portray emotion as individual experiences). The current study illuminates the nature of eulogies for past presidents by sitting presidents, and examines the eulogies of Presidents John Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan by Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Nixon, William Clinton, and George W. Bush, respectively. As highlighted by Kunkel and Dennis' framework, these eulogists accomplish many of the recognized comforting and consolation responsibilities. The presidents sometimes further their own causes and agendas when considered in hindsight, in ironic and prophetic fashion; thus, also meeting Jamieson and Campbell' (1982 Jamieson , K. H. & Campbell , K. K. ( 1982 ). Rhetorical hybrids: Fusions of generic elements . Quarterly Journal of Speech , 68 , 146 – 157 . [CSA] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) definition of the rhetorical hybrid. Finally, the destiny and glory of the eulogized are often noted by eulogists, continuing the legacy that started with the death of George Washington, America' first president (Berens, 1977 Berens , J. F. ( 1977 ). Like a prophetic spirit: Samuel Davies, American eulogists, and the deification of George Washington . Quarterly Journal of Speech , 63 , 290 – 297 . [CSA] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).