McCain’s Final Enthymeme

“In Washington even death is political”. With news in current events many can assume what topic this quote is coming from. The power of enthymemes are amazing in our everyday communication. In Washington every death that occurs is most definitely not political, but we can assume exactly what is being stated in this quote. In this blog I will talk about the big enthymeme in this CNN article John McCain’s Final Message for the President.

John McCain was well aware that his days were numbered. During this time of planning his own funeral he made it clear of one person he didn’t want to be involved in the day. In fact, I believe that John McCain left a very clear enthymeme for the president of the united states Donald Trump. The article states “CNN has reported that McCain chose Barack Obama and George W. Bush — the two men who kept him from the White House — to eulogize him and didn’t want the President to attend his funeral.” The Definition of a enthymeme is “an argument in which one premise is not explicitly stated”. I see this as a so called “Mic Drop” by Senator John McCain. He specifically wants the two men who single handedly kept him out of the white house to be apart of this day, and specifically did not want President trump there. Many can fill in the blank as for why he doesn’t want the President to attend, and that’s why I believe enthymemes are so fun. The clear and obvious assumption in this enthymeme is he just doesn’t like the guy, which is why I believe it is such an awesome “Mic drop” on his life.

Not every death in Washington is political, but as we all know this one was. It is truly appalling that in this time of grievance for the McCain family that they have to see all of this in the news. Though I do believe that McCain got the last word in on Trump. I doubt Trump wanted to go to the funeral, or even had intentions on going, but McCain didn’t even give him the choice! Some might find this as a stretch on being an enthymeme, but I think it is an awesome one. McCain invites former presidents, both whom beat him in a race for office to be apart of this day. Then, directly states he doesn’t want Trump there. What’s the assumption on why? Hmmm… Might be the easy enthymeme ever!

References

Collinson, Stephen. “John McCain’s Final Message for the President.” CNN, Cable News Network, 27 Aug. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/08/27/politics/mccain-message-trump/index.html.