Media Influence from Debate: The Rhetorical Style of Lincoln Douglas

Author:

• Corrina N. Gura (Augustana College)

Abstract:

In 1995 Congress voted to ban a late-term abortion method known as Partial Birth Abortion (PBA). The contentious debate saw many typically pro-choice representatives joining pro-life members of Congress to oppose PBA, making it a significant piece of legislation for analysis. A major component of the debates concerns expert testimonies: who and what makes an "expert" in Congress? The decision making of the legislators depended upon how they answered this question.