| This thesis is designed to identify and analyze the campaign plan of former Congressional candidate Stephanie Herseth. It contains a history of her personal background and also the background of the campaign. This analysis examines political communication and relevant theories in general. The functional theory of political campaign discourse will be examined specifically. Further, the functional theory is used to identify the influence and persuasion of the campaign. Within the functional theory, the five propositions of political campaign discourse, the functions of political campaign discourse, and the functional approach to political campaign messages will also be discussed. The major issues of the campaign are identified and analyzed for effectiveness, specifically; the three major campaign issues of the Herseth campaign will be identified and evaluated. Following the analysis, brief conclusions concerning the outcome of the campaign are presented. |
