Communication studies expert can comment on Kamala Harris' DNC speech

LAWRENCE – Kamala Harris’ campaign may seem to be surging, but she faces a serious challenge in her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, according to an expert in presidential rhetoric.

Robert Rowland, University of Kansas professor of communication studies, is the author of the 2021 book “The Rhetoric of Donald Trump: Nationalist Populism and American Democracy" (University of Kansas Press) and is himself a former national champion college debater.

“Much of the country, including crucial swing voters, know little about Harris,” Rowland said. “This makes her acceptance speech much more important than in a normal year. Harris must introduce herself to much of the country, lessen the concern of those who think she is too liberal or ran a poor campaign in the 2020 primaries, find a line of attack on former President Trump that finally sticks and do all of that while praising her current boss, President Biden. 

“Moreover, as the reaction to speeches by former President Trump and vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance at the Republican National Convention indicates, there is a danger that a misstep could harm the campaign.”  

The KU researcher has specialized in presidential rhetorical legacies, calling both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama “once in a generation” communicators who raised the sights of their fellow citizens to lofty national ideals. Trump, conversely, he has called “a master at creating fear and hatred of others.”

Rowland also is the author of “Reagan at Westminster: Foreshadowing the End of the Cold War” (2010, Texas A&M University Press).