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 Obama’s Use of Complete Sentences Stirs ControversyPosted on Nov 24, 2008In the first two weeks after the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the last eight years through his controversial use of complete sentences, political observers say. Millions of Americans who watched Mr. Obama’s appearance on CBS’s “Sixty Minutes” last 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, “OK, 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. Award-winning humorist, television personality and film actor Andy Borowitz is author of the book “The Republican Playbook.” © 2008 Creators Syndicate Inc. Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By fritzikatzi, November 26, 2008 at 4:56 pm #
”“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.”
Report thisPerfect.
I am understanding in ways nobody can tell me that it is happening yesterday and all other days when I have forgotten why we have thanksgiving and all that fun and when turkeys has to be pardoned… because I think that is what Americans need when I am in charge, even when they are not.
By kww, November 26, 2008 at 3:51 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
This was just plain brilliant.
Adlai Stevenson lives!
Report thisBy Viper, November 26, 2008 at 12:36 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I find this article rather insulting that his English is being judged. Seems to me that it’s stereotyping with the message that he’s out of his element because he is speaking intelligently. Too much picking apart in this article. Let’s concentrate on pulling this country together instead of ripping one another apart.
Report thisBy altara, November 26, 2008 at 12:27 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
more fake news
SUB-ROSA NEWS
Some of the News
That may be True
NETWORKS COMPLAIN ABOUT OBAMA NEWS CONFERENCES
In a joint action, the nation’s television networks sent a letter of complaint to the Obama transition team regarding the incessant barrage of news conferences now taking place. The letter conceded that President-elect Obama needed to speak out about the current economic crisis and to announce major appointments. However, they saw no need to have a news conference every time a new White House adviser is appointed.
The letter expressed the hope that there would not be a news conference to announce that Defense Secretary Gates will stay on for another year. Also, the letter noted, since the appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State has been going on for over two weeks, therewould really be no need to hold a news conference to introduce her to the American public.
Of particular concern is the practice of holding these daily conferences in Chicago rather than in the news capitols of Washington or New York. In a separate statement, NBC news director Roger Isles said that, in these times of belt tightening, the burden of travel to Chicago was overwhelming. Already, he noted, Andrea Mitchell was complaining bitterly about having to fly in coach and stay in cheap hotels.
homer http://www.altara.blogspot.com
Report thisBy nefertiti, November 26, 2008 at 12:22 pm #
NUKULAR ... LOL ...
Report thisBy hippy pam, November 26, 2008 at 11:14 am #
I find it Extremely Refreshing to listen to an Educated Person speaking about Current Issues while Usuing Excellent English…..I got real tired of ole bullshits’ NUCULAR…
Report thisBy titanbite, November 26, 2008 at 6:21 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Elitist,no way,what had me was how dubya had no problem whatsoever speaking spanish go figure
Report thisBy problemsolver, November 25, 2008 at 11:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
People heard Obama during his addresses and during his the debates, so his oratory is no surprise. This theory that completing sentences could be politically harmful is therefore refuted. Maybe the literate decided to take back the country; but I think it also true that even people with impaired language skills appreciate clearly spoken, sensible ideas.
Report thisBy Maani, November 25, 2008 at 4:33 pm #
godistwaddle:
ROFLMAO!!
SpiritGirl:
I agree. And I’m shocked that Borowitz did not ONCE use the word “like!” After all, isn’t that the most common word in the English language now? LOL.
Like, Peace.
Report thisBy Dave Johnson, November 25, 2008 at 3:51 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I’ll bet the guy can spell too. Honestly. What is this world coming to?
Report thisBy JFoster2k, November 25, 2008 at 8:02 am #
Great read!
Many of us have long craved an intelligent, articulate president. The sad thing is that your humor in this article actually has some truthful merit.
I recently moved to TN. During the campaign, I had to endure a landslide of derisive comments about Obama from the redneck right-wingers down here. Ironically, your article nails them precisely!
Report thisBy boredwell, November 24, 2008 at 6:42 pm #
OMG! After 8 years of Bush whacking, the thought of having to listen to 4 years of Palin would have been like serving time on an auditory death row. Praise Punahou, Columbia and Havard Law for our gifted, articulate and intelligent P-E!
Report thisBy BruSays, November 24, 2008 at 12:20 pm #
A good chunk of the electorate (i.e. those who voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004) probably can’t understand what Obama is saying. No doubt, they’ll think he’s trying to fool them.
But they’ll find solace in the wise words of their savior, G. W. Bush who so eloquently said: “Fool me once, shame on…shame on you. It fool me. We can’t get fooled again.”
Note to Obama: You better dumb it down a bit if you expect to reach the former Bush voters.
Report thisBy SamSnedegar, November 24, 2008 at 11:55 am #
How “elitist” can you get? Goddam Harvard lawyers talk like they understand that conjugation is more than just fornicating. Obama is safe as can be. No one will ever understand what he is saying because he is a cunning linguist.
Report thisBy Vadernooooo, November 24, 2008 at 10:47 am #
Hahaha.
Oh that wonderful. Thanks for bringing a major smile to my face today! You sealed an awesome piece of humor with that Palin quote at the end. It worked so well.
Thanks! Great work!
Report thisBy Spiritgirl, November 24, 2008 at 8:48 am #
I love you. It is a sad and telling tale that while speaking “English” correctly used to be taken for granted - no more! It really shows how dumbed down this nation has become!
That there are many people that can no longer form grammatically correct sentences is a tragedy, but those that complain when others are eloquent speaks more to the 30 second sound bites that America has unfortunately, become accustomed to! Hopefully, now that we actually have an intelligent, articulate, and thoughtful person in the White House, this country will embrace education and speaking!
Report thisBy Louise, November 24, 2008 at 8:45 am #
Funny, funny, FUNNY!
”... grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth.”
Uh ... what is grammatically and virtually anyway?
And is subjects and verbs and predicate, words like noun and adjective?
I mean, us thinking people needs to know!
Report thisBy godistwaddle, November 24, 2008 at 8:02 am #
Their are alot of people which cant spell good or put words like they ougt to be. Thay deserve to be reprasented to.
Report thisBy Jeremy Keith Hammond, November 24, 2008 at 7:37 am #
Hilarious - but truly unfortunate. God forbid anyone use our language correctly.
Report thisBy coloradokarl, November 24, 2008 at 6:20 am #
This is funny! Just as Letterman’s “Great moments in American Speeches” is funny, until that unease in the pit of my stomach sets in. The cauldron of my intuitive “Gut” and it’s vile mixture of the “Shock and Awe” of our education system, The divisive rhetoric of the far right “Educated=Elitist=Bad?“and that we didn’t depose Bush as soon as we realized he was a #%ckin Moron!!! Education should be a National Security Issue and funded as such. Sorry about the sentence structure, I didn’t graduate High School and I have to go to work, Karl
Report thisBy Robert, November 24, 2008 at 5:56 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
LOLROF… THAT was hilarious. Especially the Palin bit.. but I am wondering at this moment if that was an actual quote or just part of the satire. And also too with her, there’s no telling there.
And also too, I ppreciated the quote there from the presidential historian to add credence to the dangers of Obama’s eloquence..
Report thisBy Fahrenheit 451, November 24, 2008 at 5:00 am #
> Andy Borowitz;
Normally I don’t find you to be funny; amusing, but not funny.
Report thisToday you are very funny/hilarious. Right on.
By Ed Harges, November 24, 2008 at 4:48 am #
The Sarah Palin bit at the end is perfect!
Report this