A short two-word outburst led to an extended national dialogue about decorum, authority, etiquette, and civility in an unprecedented rhetorical scenario. Unprecedented, we argue, but likely not an isolated incident.

Josh Compton & Brett Miller

https://speechandtheatremo.org/journal-archive/

South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” at President Barack Obama, interrupting the president’s speech before a joint session of Congress. Facing widespread criticism, Wilson apologized. We use this unique case to consider the peculiar nature of outburst as a form of attack—an attack that, instead of damaging the image of its target, often inflicts primary damage on the image of the attacker. We conclude that Wilson’s image repair efforts largely failed, as measured against a criterion of appropriateness. The analysis highlights unique impacts of delivery dimensions as requisites for outbursts, shifting focus from conventional conceptualizations of content in image repair scholarship. Further, implications of outburst as rhetorical attack and as a rhetorical act necessitating defense are explored.

Compton, J., & Miller, B. (2015). “You lie!” and “I’m sorry.”: Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst and attempted image repair. STAM Journal, 45, 1-17. Winner, Top Manuscript Award: Central States Communication Association.