column 5: assessing the argument
This past week, Eugene Robinson posted an article with one of the most stinging titles- even for Robinson's op-eds. In Boehner's pointless leadership, Robinson organizes his argument in an extremely strategic layout. His introduction opens the piece in a very anecdotal manner. He recounts last week's House of Representatives drama, never failing to take the opportunity to utilize specific and concrete diction. Robinson, however, informs readers of Boehner's latest and greatest economic policy. He characterizes the situation saying, "He came away, humiliated." Moving onto the meat of his argument, Robinson crafts this elusive pattern of repetition through flashbacks and flash forwards. In the middle, he questions the future in relation to Boehner and his politics thus far; inquiring about his Homeland Security funding bill, his skill, and his character as the Speaker of the House. Next, Robinson returns to a simpler time ( he has been in the political shuffle for a decent amount of year) when Nancy Pelosi was Speakers. In this reference, he compares Boehner not only to himself in a negative light, but also to his colleagues for the purpose of pointing out his pitfalls. Nearing the concluding paragraphs, Robinson returns to talking about the present; the present for readers as voters, and the present for Boehner in politics. In areas where the author brings in extensive knowledge, such as that of Nancy Pelosi and the Homeland of Security fiscal potential crisis, he credits himself not only for the educated voice but also for the informative words of wisdom from a veteran politics follower. His purpose in arguing the irrelevant legacy of Boehner is slightly far reaching for this one incident, but in a longer dissertation Robinson would have been successful in persuading his audience.