In this paper, we make a comparative analysis of two pre-electoral debates belonging to two different traditions ¿ the 2011 Rajoy¿Rubalcaba debate and the first 2008 Obama¿McCain debate ¿ in terms of the manipulative processes used. For that purpose, we compare the similarities and differences in the use of the genre contributing to manipulation in the two debate traditions. Also, we identify the manipulative devices employed following Rigotti¿s (2005) coding scheme, which is complemented with those fallacies often encountered in the field of politics (van Eemeren et al. 2009; Pirie 2006; Tindale 2007). Various similarities in the use of the genre between the two debate traditions have been identified, such as in the use of strategies of positive self-presentation and negative other-presentation that are inherently manipulative and that entail (de-)emphasizing Our/Their positive and Their/Our negative aspects (van Dijk 2006). The differences are related to the discursive strategies preferred, the role of the moderator in the debates, and the candidates¿ physical position in the confrontation, all of which may contribute to manipulation. Similarly, there are also similarities and differences in the candidates¿ use of manipulative processes as their strategy for winning the elections and a different preference for personal attacks and the dialectical battle.
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