Friday, July 25, 2008

Obamafuscation

Among Obama's more interesting statements of late, here are two:
"You know, you always want to avoid saying things like 'always' and 'never.'"
"Israel has always been a good friend of Israel."
And we can add to these his comment about looking forward to dealing with world leaders [as President] "for the next eight to 10 years."
And then there was his statement about travelling to "57 states" in the United States.
So, I ask: What if President George W. Bush had said these things? What if he assumed a President was able to serve in office for 10 years? What if he thought America had 57 states? What if he called Israel "a good friend of Israel?" What if he said you should "never say never?"
How do you think the media would have treated him?
Do you think he would ever be able to live down statements such as these?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Top 5 Bushisms:

5) "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." —Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004 (Watch video clip; listen to audio clip)

4) "They misunderestimated me." —Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000

3) "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" —Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000

2) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004 (Watch video clip; listen to audio clip)

1) "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002 (Watch video clip; listen to audio clip)

Anonymous said...

Huh? Bush has said far more stupider things than this. GrandpaCain is on his way up Cainisims...sounds like a seizure.

Dan Cirucci said...

At least give "W" credit for inventing some new words.
"Misunderestimated" makes a lot more sense that "underestimate." The President loves to be "underestimated" because then he can exceed expectations. But his enemies do him an even bigger favor: They MISunderestimate him. They not only misunderstand what he's saying but they grossly underestimate his intelligence (a higher IQ and better college grades than Kerry) and his abilities.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about you, but I'm far more inclined to overlook "57 states and territories of the US" vs. McCain's absolute butchery of the history of Shiite and Sunni, and the geogrphy of the Middle East. Bush III on the way. God help us all.
As far as the "Shrub's" intelligence: a. a President cannot possibly exceed expectations, because POTUS is expected to change our country for the better. And all of them have fallen short. Even Regan....remember the Contra Affair. b. Really, just YOUTUBE Bushisms. I thought the President was supposed to inspire us, by being an exceptional person. Bush is exceptional at taking vacations.

Dan Cirucci said...

My advice to you is that you should first learn how to spell Reagan before you start criticizing the intelligence and/or the verbal capacity of others.

Anonymous said...

Oops. Forgot the "a". And I also forgot the "a" in geography. So I guess I took your advice, and I did my homework. Now: do the two spelling mistakes (probably more, but hey, I'm a busy guy) make the point any less valid? You see, Mr. Cirucci, I visit your blog daily just as I watch FOX news every day. Not because I necessarily agree with you, but because I want to see things from your end. Having said that, I seem to remember you telling me that I should never use the word "spin", because it represents an ugly side of what PR pros can do. I'm not suggesting that you "spin", but I may be implying that you're close to that line. I realize that you're not a reporter, and this is your personal blog, and it's a free country. But as a professor - one that tries to teach ethical and moral "balance" in the news, you should try to take a closer look at what you post. Otherwise, the students that do take the time to read your blog might stumble on something that reminds them of the antithesis of MSNBC.

Dan Cirucci said...

I'm pleased that you are following the blog on a daily basis and I thank you for your attentiveness.
Make no mistake about it: SPIN is a four-letter word. I don't like the word because it trivilaizes the public relations profession.
But remember this as well: Public relations is advocacy. We are in the advocacy business: responsible advocacy.
This blog has a distinct point of view. That doesn't mean that I will not run other points of view or that I won't welcome disagreement. I do.
But more likely than not a distinct point of view will be maintained here. And I will advocate for that point of view - because I believe in it based on my knowledge and experience. Within the confines of the blog we attempt to advance ideas and further a cause.
The views that are expressed here are hardly mine alone. These views come from many, many different sources and readers are always directed to those sources with quick links so that they can view and read the originals in context.
Let us advance our positions in the marketplace of ideas and, as always, the marketplace will sort things out.
Thanks again for paying attention. Stay informed. Stay involved. Be passionate about your beliefs. Always strive to make a difference.