LIPSTICK ON WHAT? -- Just A Minute 09-11-08

Howdy again…

 

            Today we take up the matter of misspeaking. President Nixon’s press secretary used to say the designated word was “inoperative” – that is something had come up that made it no longer accurate. His first name was Ron… and my index box of names has gotten too crowded in my memory and new stuff has pushed out the old stuff. I’ll remember his name in the middle of the afternoon.

 

            Anyway – watching Senator Obama blame the McCain – Palin ticket for his puttin’ the lipstick on a pig gaffe – is I suppose a forecast of what we have to look forward to between now and November 4^th.  Obama has already hung up himself to dry with the flippant crack that trying to tell when life begins is “above his pay grade.” That’s language used by slackers and second tier government officials who just don’t want to go to the trouble.

 

            It’s not likely anyone who has not been under the white-hot limelight of national media attention, has a feel for how frustrating it is to be trying to speak plainly but having your words misunderstood no matter what your intentions were. I recall in the Goldwater campaign of 1964 the Senator had little patience with persistent reporters and also sometimes he didn’t hear the question accurately. But he usually gave a short answer – sometimes very short with words that needed editing. And those of us who complained to the writers after they had gotten it mixed up would urge them on by saying: “Don’t write what he said… write what he means”  All well and good if you happen to be good at reading minds.

 

            But we might as well recognize the battle that is forming. One of the reports I read today said “half the Washington Press Corps has descended upon Alaska trying to find something they can use on Mrs. Palin the Governor.” One of the factors working against her now is the animosity the MSM has toward people who are NOT *insiders* in the District of Columbia. To a large extent they talk to themselves (not all but a majority) and if you’re not part of the club you’re not likely to be listened to but rather laughed at.

 

            That’s OK… I think Gov. Palin will hold her own quite well – but undoubtedly she’ll get tired of it. *I* get tired of it just being an observer.

 

            Well… we’re on the journey now to the election. We may as well settle back and enjoy the trip.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack

 

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama09-11-08.mp3

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/scripts/jamt09-11-08.doc

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

LIPSTICK ON WHAT?

Just A Minute – “Don’t try to be cutesie” my wife sometimes whispers in my ear.

Barak needs Michelle to discreetly whisper that in his ear. When a guy is off the teleprompter – and the audience is responding -- cutesie often attacks.

That’s what happened Monday – Obama, holding his stick mike, searching for an idea -- hits upon “putting lipstick on a pig,”-- and said it. Next morning all three major networks lead their morning news shows with that clip – and who does he blame?  -- The McCain – Palin campaign.

McCain, stretching for an answer to Saddleback Pastor Rick’s question: When are you rich? – “Oh -- five million I guess. – That’ll be distorted.” he says … and he was right!

Answering Warren’s question about when life begins? Obama first appears pensive … then flippancy takes over…”That’s… that’s… that’s above my pay grade.”  

Put a guy in front of an audience, without a script or speechwriter, afflicted with cutesiness and that’s what you get. Oh -- quit whining, remember: “Better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth – and remove all doubt.”

<> I’m Jack Buttram

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