The U.S. is quickly approaching the 2020 presidential election. Join Andie Alexander, Hina Muneeruddin, and Leslie Dorrough Smith in this month’s episode of Discourse! (recorded after the 2nd presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden) as they explore the rhetoric and affect of the presidential campaigns and debates thus far. The panelists discuss how presidential debates are forms of public spectacle designed to reinforce ideas of “presidentialism” and how claims of nationalism are a type of religious rhetoric.

The panelists recommend exploring the related links:

“Some Reflections on Separatism and Power” by Marilyn Frye

“The War on Masks Is a Cover-up for Toxic Masculinity“

“’Might as Well Carry a Purse with That Mask, Joe’: COVID-19, Toxic Masculinity, and the Sad State of National Politics“

Maria Hinojosa – One on One