Obama’s Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy
Stunning Break with Last Eight Years
In the first few weeks since the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the past eight years through his controversial use of complete sentences, political observers say.
Millions of Americans who watched Mr. Obama’s appearance on CBS’ “Sixty Minutes” on Sunday witnessed the president-elect’s unorthodox verbal tic, which had Mr. Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth.
But Mr. Obama’s decision to use complete sentences in his public pronouncements carries with it certain risks, since after the last eight years many Americans may find his odd speaking style jarring.
According to presidential historian Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, some Americans might find it “alienating” to have a President who speaks English as if it were his first language.
“Every time Obama opens his mouth, his subjects and verbs are in agreement,” says Mr. Logsdon. “If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist.”
The historian said that if Mr. Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, “Okay, subject, predicate, subject predicate - we get it, stop showing off.”
The President-elect’s stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.
“Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can’t really do there, I think needing to do that isn’t tapping into what Americans are needing also,” she said.
Via Andy Borowitz
Doug
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ROFLMAO funny there. I think Americans need this kind of humor there to keep them laughing about politics there and staying positive also.
I guess you really have laid down your sword. Just as well, elections are hard work. We need a rest! Funny post, especially the Palin quote :)
Very funny!
I will be glad to see someone in the White House who can speak. I actually think Bush has gotten worse since his first term. Maybe there is something wrong with him. And Letterman's "Presidential Moments" has only made it more embarrassing. I don't agree with Obama's politics, but at least he can talk well.
Yep, the sword, the armor, all of it. And I agree with dodlin, it will be a pleasant change to have an orator as President, even if he (must...stop...must put...away...)
Thank goodness good natured humor is still on the table. This kind of wit will help us through the next (dare I say it?) 8 years. Great post!
LOL! It's true, Obama could have been a high school English teacher had he not chosen a career in professional politics.
I am so proud of you, I could just burst!
There's hope for you yet, Goombah...
For those wondering if I've "gone to the dark side" by posting this, hey, humor is humor. Besides, although it was already "in que", Michael all but dared me to post it, saying "I know it's not right wing....but it's "right" minded....and if you're going to be fair on your site...."
Fair? A liberal concept. Does not compute :)
Hilarious!! We all love the tongue in cheek humor!! Our guy may not have won but we can still laugh because we are all Americans!!
That is funny. Poor Sarah Palin, she really gets to be the butt of a lot of jokes. Too bad too because I like her a lot. But she opens the door.
A very funny article. A good shot at Sarah Palin too. She and Bush share a lack of articulation.
If you didn't see it already, she was interviewed after the annual Alaska pardoning of a turkey outside the turkey ranch where the pardoning took place. Nothing unusual about that except the camera caught turkeys being killed right behind her while she was taking questions. Somebody's head should be on the chopping block for that misstep!