2021/10/25 by Nana Kwame Osei Fordjour · 12 citations
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Computer science #Context (archaeology) #Credibility #Discourse Analysis in Language Studies #Fantasy #History #Law #Literature #Management #Media Studies and Communication #Media studies #Persona #Political science #Politics #Power (physics) #Rhetoric and Communication Studies #Sociology #Vice president
paper · doi:10.1080/10646175.2021.1986754
published in Howard Journal of Communications 33(3), 314-334 (Taylor & Francis)
openalex publication_date 2021/10/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The first 90 days are crucial for new employees to build credibility in the organizational context. This phenomenon is also applicable to political office holders, who need to build the confidence reposed in them by the electorates. In the present study, I analyze Vice President Kamala Harris’ own tweets to assess the fantasy themes and portrayal of power in her first 90 days. Findings indicate that Kamala Harris’s tweets construct her public persona as a busy and exemplary Vice President who enjoys total spousal support. This can be described as an image-building strategy which enhances her credibility and portrays her as authentic. Vice President Harris also portrays symbolic power through her multimodal discourses which involve actions and symbols by her association with the armed forces, her moderation of official meetings and the display of her swearing-in functions. Her tweets also highlight the Biden administration’s resolve toward racial and gender inclusivity.