posted
Every administration or political party likes to develop its own lingo. I thought we could collect some of the rhetorical gems the White House has given us or otherwise popularised in these past two terms. To start us off:
Axis of Evil
Coalition of the Willing
Weapons of Mass Destruction
War on Terror
Mission Accomplished
Embolden the enemy
Staying the course
Surge™
The New Way Forward
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
One evokes the correct image, and one does not. Actually, the "read my lips" was far more mocked and mimicked by comics and pundits than the "no new taxes" part.
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quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: The "no new taxes" part is what his opponents latched onto in 1992 to help him lose the election.
When people wonder why there's no compromise in politics, they should remember that particular episode-- it's a glaring example.
Posts: 3846 | Registered: Apr 2004
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quote:When people wonder why there's no compromise in politics, they should remember that particular episode-- it's a glaring example.
I'm not sure what you mean by this, Jim. Could you explain?
I wasn't old enough to get a real good grasp of the situation for Bush I which probably makes it so I don't get how compromise works in here.
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posted
<old codger> Welp, it was a long timne ago... but... </old codger>
Bush promised no new taxes. The Democrat-controlled congress (along with some Republicans I'm sure) pressured Bush into a tax bill and he capitulated. There was a big, bi-partisan signing heralding the cooperation and end to gridlock... and, as has already been pointed out, the Democrats repeatedly hammered on how "Bush broke his promise". It was easily the most audible piece of their 1992 campaign and was absolutely run into the ground by almost everyone-- it even appears in two separate Disney movies ("Aladdin" and "Hercules").
When this is the reward for political compromise, is it any wonder the two parties don't?
I'm sure this isn't the only example, but it's the most glaring one in my memory.
Posts: 3846 | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Hey, Al Gore WAS instrumental in creating what is today the modern internet.
And I think we're getting maybe away from the original thrust of the thread (though maybe not). I think Euripides was talking about the Bush White House's love of slogans. Every news cycle has a slogan that EVERYONE in the Executive Branch gets on board with, and then HAMMER it into our heads, as opposed to the mostly one liners that are being listed.
Jim -
It wasn't just Democrats that jumped on him, Republicans turned it into a feeding frenzy during the Republican primaries. Personally I think he did the right thing, and I wouldn't have punished him for it, but then, I would likely never have voted for him in the first place, making my support rather useless.
Look for lingo and jargon that you hear oft repeated during campaigns and presidential terms.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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I think Euripides was talking about the Bush White House's love of slogans. Every news cycle has a slogan that EVERYONE in the Executive Branch gets on board with, and then HAMMER it into our heads, as opposed to the mostly one liners that are being listed.
Yeah, that was the original intention, though I'm happy for the thread to drift of course; it's always interesting to see where these discussions lead.
I just have to marvel at the consistency with which the White House staff adopts a new catchphrase. The similarities between the government press organisations and commercial advertising agencies are remarkable.
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posted
It, like those backdrops they always use behind him when he gives a speech, DID work for the first four years.
I credit Jon Stewart, and those like him for pointing it out every time they do it, and stringing together clips of Administration officials all saying the exact same thing. I never realized before those montages how coordinated it really was. Now it's just a joke, and we all know it. Yet they still keep trying...
The New Way Forward is their new plan for Iraq. We're about to turn the corner again. Hey! That's one you forgot Sean, "We've turned the corner." We've turned that damned corner so many times we're back where we started.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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I credit Jon Stewart, and those like him for pointing it out every time they do it, and stringing together clips of Administration officials all saying the exact same thing. I never realized before those montages how coordinated it really was. Now it's just a joke, and we all know it. Yet they still keep trying...
Very true. And those montages pointing out the glaring inconsistencies (e.g. the Guvnah Bush vs President Bush debate) are also very helpful.
posted
I really hope Stewart is just as scathingly effective in critiquing the next Democratic president. I really do.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Chances are good that he will be. Like he said on Crossfire, the "absurdity of the system" is what gives him the most material. I think he meant it.
He has been taking bipartisan potshots recently too, such as ridiculing the extent of Obamania.
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posted
CT - Have you been watching? Democrats have had the Congress for like a month and he's been hammering them for things left and right. Mostly I think he's just pissed that Democrats aren't doing a better job, and aren't more together, so he's taking out his frustrations on them.
I don't know if it's an even split or not between Republican and Democrat, who he spends his time making fun of, but it's already there. I have little doubt in 2008 that he'll do the same thing. During the 2000 election and the 2004 election he spent a lot of time dissing Gore and Kerry.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Yeah, politicians are some of the most hilarious people on earth and Stewart is a smart man with a smart writing crew, he'll be fine regardless of the administration.
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Medicine Man: They Volcano God be very angry. We must sacrifice one person, throw them in Volcano, make all good.
Henny Caveman: Take my wife, Please.
(May have originally been said by George Burns, then stolen by Henny Caveman. Researchers are not quite sure.)
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It wasn't just Democrats that jumped on him, Republicans turned it into a feeding frenzy during the Republican primaries. Personally I think he did the right thing, and I wouldn't have punished him for it, but then, I would likely never have voted for him in the first place, making my support rather useless.
Whippersnapper! you were what? 3? that's the problem with you kids today... you don't listen to anything your elders tell you and then bam! you're out breaking the law, playing weird dance dance games, and using laser pointers and cell phones in the movie theater... (you're going to the "special hell" for that one!)
Why back in my day we... uh... well... we watched a lot of MTV, knew Tom Hanks was funny, and thought the graphics in "Tron" were amazing... so there?
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quote:"Remember America, I gave you the Internet and I can take it away." —the #9 item on the "Top 10 Rejected Gore-Lieberman Campaign Slogans," read by Al Gore on the "Late Show with David Letterman"
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