If phatic intepretations are the only intepretations, which arise when
mutual manifestness of "the speaker is lying" is in place, then we can
safely hypothesize that all presidential debates and campaign speeches
are instance of phatic communication? People expect their phaticity to
be high and informativeness low (since it IS mutually manifest that the speaker is
lying). It is important to understand that while planning a campaign
speech. John Kerry's aides do not understand that.
Right now Kerry is trying to inform and intrigue his audience: "I have
a plan..."
Bush is being phatic and manages interpersonal relations, hence the
employment of "southern charm" of "your regular Texas cowboy".
Prediction:
Bush is going to win.
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