Is Antonio Delgado the better rapper, rhetorician, and representative?
The short answer — yes.
The race to represent New York’s 19th Congressional seat is one of the tightest midterm elections. John Faso, a Catholic-raised family man, worked in the public education system until 2006. He values charter schools and improved private economies. Faso currently represents NY-19. Delgado’s hardworking factory parents supply Delgado’s drive for universal healthcare, a clean Dream act, and rights for minority groups in the Hudson Valley. These two candidates, though similarly strong in opinion, come from two different backgrounds. To display this, here’s an attack ad from Faso against Delgado’s rap album.
Though he worked in the public education system, Faso supports local control of education and charter schools. Delgado supports the public education system currently in place, stating “We need to invest in public education to make sure that all of our children get the education they deserve” (delgadoforcongress.com). Delgado’s uses the inclusive “we” and inflated language appeal to his democratic audience. He is endorsed by Barack Obama and Joe Biden, both who prioritize better funding for public education. This factor, along with the rhetorical devices used in his press releases, show that Delgado “is the candidate NY-19 deserves”.
Faso wants to restrict without prohibiting abortions. This is unappealing to his audience comprised of evangelical Christians. Delgado, on the other hand, is strongly pro-choice. “I support women’s rights to make their own health care decisions. Unlike Congressman John Faso, who… voted for a health care bill that defunded Planned Parenthood, I will fight to defend women’s rights from an assault by the current President and Republican-led Congress” (delgadoforcongress.com). Once again, Delgado uses the inclusive “we”, inflated language, and coded language to rally. Delgado degrades Faso’s actions by using “assault” while firmly planting his stance on reproductive rights, appealing to his feminist audience.
In a press release, Delgado attempted to lower voters’ opinion of Faso’s healthcare-oriented actions in office. “Faso promised constituents he wouldn’t take away their healthcare — then voted repeatedly to gut protections for pre-existing conditions” (More Lies). Delgado’s use of the word “gut” hints that Faso voted to entirely clear pre-existing conditions. Since “gut” is normally used in different contexts, Delgado tried to use inflated language to concern his audience. He also connected the common idea among left-wing voters of Republicans “taking away healthcare” with Delgado’s main platform to provide universal healthcare. He comments about “what a sham” (More Lies) Faso is imposing upon the citizens, guiding his audience towards questioning Faso’s integrity.
Overall, the race is tight — both candidates are being voted for equally and both candidates are appealing to their audiences. Although John Faso has a linguistically-strong argument,, Antonio Delgado is probably going to win because he uses stronger rhetorical devices than Faso. Delgado often utilized hyperbole, coded language and the inclusive “we” in his language. These create a community within Delgado’s audience that direct him as a candidate for the House of Representatives. Plus, who wouldn’t want a representative with a mean mixtape?
Update: Antonio Delgado won the election. Welcome Congressman AD the Voice.
