Can some explain what "rhetoric" means here?

language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience

The language they’re using to persuade people.

Their attempted arguments.

If it helps, in the context it could be replaced with 'argument' and mean the same thing. It is a bit tricky to define in a nice way.

Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more noun noun: rhetoric     the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.     "he is using a common figure of rhetoric, hyperbole"                   h Similar: oratory eloquence power of speech command of language expression way with words delivery diction     language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content.     "all we have from the Opposition is empty rhetoric"

Rhetoric is language that is meant to be persuasive. It implies that certain phrases were strategically chosen to evoke an emotion. Rhetoric implies intentionality. The word rhetoric has a neutral connotation, but if you are seeing it in the news, it probably is used in a negative way. For example: Let's say you see this in a political advertisement: "The councilman AGAIN voted to fund the ice rink, even though there are other underfunded organizations that could make much better use of those funds!" In response you could say: The opposing party's rhetoric makes them seem foolish because they clearly don't understand why people love the ice rink. Or: The rhetoric of the councilman's opposition diminishes the importance of the ice rink" Or: The rhetoric is unfair. The ice rink is important because it provides a lot of jobs and enjoyment. On the other hand, without a persuasive argument, you would probably not use the word rhetoric. For example, consider this sentence: "The councilman voted to fund the ice rink." ^There is no persuasive argument here, so it does not make sense to use the word rhetoric to talk about this statement. Be aware that although the adjective "rhetorical" technically is defined as "of or relating to rhetoric", barely anyone uses that definition. "Rhetorical" is almost always used to describe a question, and means "not requiring an answer" "She realized the question was rhetorical, so she did not answer it"