All in: The Relationship Between David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (January 2012): Interview with Paula Broadwell to promote her book All in: The Education of General David Petraeus.  Click on the link to watch the interview (first video on page) between Stewart and Broadwell.

     This interview between Jon Stewart and Paula Broadwell was part of Broadwell’s endeavor to promote her book about David Petraeus.  Humor was an evident tactic used to relate with and please the audience throughout the interview, and to help Stewart and Broadwell present themselves in a positive manner.  Stewart asked Broadwell about her interviewing process, and she explained the project’s switch from dissertation to book, and how many of her interviews with Petraeus were conducted during runs.  The interview then focused on Petraeus and how his personality and strength command respect.  Based on audience response during the video clip, the rhetorical style resonated well with the audience. The Daily Show is known to target young to middle-aged adults, who regard the show as a source of news and entertainment.  By alluding to Broadwell’s established background throughout the interview, Broadwell’s reputation as an author was effectively credited (ethos).  Yet, while her comments and insights into her research about Petraeus’ life made her seem like an intelligent and established person, Broadwell’s flirty demeanor and revealing outfit detracted from this respectable image.  Thus, I think the idea of paradox unintentionally entered the interview, something especially interesting in the wake of the Petraeus-Broadwell affair.  When placed within the context of the affair, the interview suddenly takes on an additional meaning as evidence foreshadowing the affair.  Thus, I feel that the interview accomplished several purposes, including the intentional attempt to highlight Broadwell’s book, and the unintentional hints at Broadwell’s affair with Petraeus.