There were quite a few rhetorical devices in the movie clip. My favorite was when Mr. McGee was describing his old Executive Assistant. Back in the day they we all called secretaries, but they knew as much of the goings on of the company than their immediate boss and other executives wanted to admit or believe. I think that is one reason why the named changed. The other reason is that it sounds more professional and less demeaning.
There are four classes of rhetorical devices. Class one consists of one word or a phrase that makes something less important, gives a way out if challenged, and specific words to upscale something. Class two devices succeed on unwarranted assumptions. Class three, which is my favorite, is humor or exaggeration. I use this one all the time and never realized that there was a specific name for what I was doing. Class four is using or conforming a definition to meet your needs.
The devices when used properly can captivate the audience. If they are used wrong it can get the audience in an uproar very quickly. If the author or speaker uses these devises the way they are intended to one could not argue against them and they would have an air tight opinion. A very experienced person using these devices can convey their argument to any group and have them at least stop and think.
If these devices are once again used correctly the claims that are made could sound extremely creditable. It will once again depend on how they are used and if confronted how the author could explain his claims without skipping a beat. If he had to think about the confrontation before he responded I believe that his claims would take a hit, but if his rebutted immediately then that would save him and his claims.