In the introduction of The Performative Presidency, by Jason L. Mast, an actor is named as one of the six elements of cultural performance. Mast writes: “Actors control their own meanings through their speech and comportment, but they are never fully in control over their entire semiotic domain. Actors take on meanings in relation to other actors in the drama, and in relation to the settings, plots, and vagaries of everyday life that can be picked up by a video camera” (10-11). It is up to the actor’s performance to sway an audience one way or another, and it is important to keep in mind, as Mast notes, that “[a]udiences decode what actors have encoded (Hall 2005 [1980])” (11). Therefore, actors are often cognizant of how an audience might decode and in turn perceive a statement or in this case, debate performance. In this post, I will be looking at Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders as actors in Las Vegas in the ninth democratic debate.
Throughout this debate, Joe Biden repetitively uses the tactic of bluntly distinguishing himself from the other candidates on the stage. Following up Bernie Sanders’ points on healthcare, Biden waves his hands a bit and says confidently, “Hey, I’m the only one on this stage who actually got anything done for healthcare.” He precedes to criticize the lack of explanation as to how people will pay for Sanders’ proposals. As an audience member, I see this as Biden prompting the audience to decode his statement as “I am experienced and level-headed. You can trust me.” I’m not saying that the whole audience trusts him, but that is the image of himself that he seems to be sculpting. He later points out that he is the only one of the candidates who has beaten Mitch McConnell. However, this specific point is undermined by Elizabeth Warren who calls out Biden’s claims and references a quote of Biden saying that he hoped McConnell would get re-elected, to which Biden retorts that this was taken out of context. Warren reminds the audience that McConnell “stole a Supreme Court seat from the Democrats.” The audience then erupts in support of Warren, and the camera cuts to a wide-eyed and exasperated looking Joe Biden. This camera work also plays a role in the performance and how viewers at home are shaping their view of the candidates. When Biden gives the impression that he is flustered or unable to form a response, he is seen as weaker on the stage. Overall, he maintains a collected composure with some instances of confusion or puzzlement.
While Sanders has plenty of experience and a history in politics, he takes a different approach as an actor. Sanders continuously restates his stances in a way that might be perceived as redundant, but paints him as a constant and trustworthy candidate who will not flip flop on important issues. When Sanders’ health is called into question, he responds that he has addressed his medical history and is releasing health reports. Doctors, he says, have affirmed his fitness and strength to lead the country. Sanders maintains his assertive tone and unwavering voice in his response, making it hard for the audience to doubt his mental sharpness. In response to a question about the climate crises and keeping places such as Las Vegas and Reno “livable,” Sanders reiterates that he wants an entire ban on fracking, and one of the moderators comments on this, hinting that it might be too radical of an action to appeal to enough people. However, Sanders retorts, reminding the audience that “this is a moral issue” and that leaving a livable planet for America’s children and grandchildren is “more important than the profits of the fossil fuel industry.” In this case, the moderator assisted in cementing Sanders’ values as an actor, reaffirming authenticity and the belief in what is right as opposed to what is moderate enough to gain support. In a sense, Sanders is able to act out authenticity on the spot in front of his audience, in the act of maintaining his priorities.
In some ways, Biden is successful as an actor; his answers are noticeably more direct in this debate. By separating himself from the group, Biden attempts to elevate himself from his competitors and imply that he is just on another level in terms of skill set and experience. Yet his performance falls short in many ways, as he relies on what he assumes has already been established, and his side comments and calm (in comparison to Sanders) attitude can be seen as either a comfortable politician or one that is not trying hard enough. Sanders’ demeanor is many times the exact opposite. He excites the crowd and demands the attention of the audience. Even those who don’t like him find it difficult to turn away. Sanders’ commitment to the working class and ethical standards that he holds himself and others to effectively earns support and portrays him as reliable.
Works Cited
Mast, Jason L. 2012. The Performative Presidency Crisis and Resurrection during the Clinton Years. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.
NBC News. “Watch the Full NBC News/MSNBC Democratic Debate in Las Vegas.” Accessed Feb. 20, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZkV0ISxcQY.
No comments:
Post a Comment