When do Presidents invoke the names of predecessors?

John Herbert (University of Keele) is presenting his paper called "Speaking in Political Time: The Deployment of Former Presidents in Presidential Rhetoric". He has analysed the use by presidents of the names of particular predecessors. He has classified the various purposes for invoking their names. It's a useful reminder that Presidents rarely really speak "off the cuff". There are good reasons for using a former President to put a particular message across. Sometimes it is to associate a popular former President with the incumbents policy. (Sadly Jimmy Carter's name is not used for this purpose - but Reagan's is). Other times it is used to show the other party in a bad light compared to more respected former Presidents of that party.

I look forward to the paper being published. It was a thought provoking read & a well argued presentation. I think I'll be listening a lot closer to Obama when he gives his next State of the Union.

If you are following the APG Conference - thel hash tag on twitter is #apgconf41