Word Play
Words can get you into trouble in presidential politics, and there is no mercy for an honest slip of the tongue. Back in 1992, Hillary Clinton learned this the hard way during her husband’s presidential bid when she dared to make the offhand remark that she wasn’t the type to stay home and “bake cookies,” nor was she “some Tammy Wynette standing by my man.” The public reaction was not only predictably bad, but soon Hillary was moved to start sharing her delicious cookie recipes.
So you might think the former first lady would have some sympathy for Michelle Obama, who made the ill-advised comment in Milwaukee this week that, “for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change.” Nothing horribly wrong about that, but talk radio, the blogosphere, and Clinton loyalists made the most – and the worst – of it.
As every candidate and every candidate’s spouse must finally understand, the presidential campaign is no place for subtlety or words that are easily attacked. Michelle Obama’s unfortunate moment will pass, as it should. Even Hillary Clinton supporters are calling this a non-issue. Expect more non-issues like this one to dominate the infinite news cycles through November.
Words during a campaign are also rich with irony. Bill Clinton was once “the man from Hope,” the young candidate singing along with Fleetwood Mac:
“Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow ... ” He was a clear break from the past. Now he’s perceived as the silver-haired hothead wagging his finger at anyone not on the Hillary bandwagon. And the junior senator from Illinois is the candidate wielding “hope” as his weapon of choice, while Senator Clinton falls further and further behind claiming “experience” as her key strength, like Bob Dole in ’96 or John McCain this time around.
In this election year, the words that matter most are those that will clear a path toward some kind of national redemption after eight years of horror and ineptitude from the Bush administration. If Obama borrows a few good lines from his friend, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, it may become fodder for the increasingly desperate Clinton campaign, but it doesn’t explain the doubling of Democratic voter turnout or his 10 straight victories.
In 2008, words of hope and clarity are sounding better and better.
Published: 02/20/2008
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