The Power of One-Liners
Posted in Congress by Roger Beckett
Scott Johnson over at Powerline reminds us of the power of a couple great one-liners. Senator-Elect Brown certainly used this to his benefit, saying again and again that it's not Kennedy's seat, it's the people's seat. That one certainly worked. But President Obama's comment in Massachusetts last week -- "Forget the truck. Anybody can buy a truck." -- was a one-liner that did nothing but help Brown. And last night, Brown was able to use Obama's mistake even more to his benefit: "It all started with me, my truck, and a very few dedicated volunteers. However, it ended with Air Force One making an emergency run to Logan. And I didn't mind when the President came here and criticized me and talked about some of the things he disagreed with me on. But let me tell you, when he started to criticize my truck, that's where I draw the line." And my favorite, "When I spoke to the President, the first thing I said was, 'Would you like me to drive the truck down to Washington so you can see it?'" Not a bad way for a new Senator to begin his relationship with the President of the United States.
His election is already having an impact on the health care bill. President Obama
said today, "Here's one thing I know and I just want to make sure that this is off the table: The Senate certainly shouldn't try to jam anything through until Scott Brown is seated. People in Massachusetts spoke. He's got to be part of that process." Good. That's a start.
But in a sure sign that the President's tone-deafness does not end with pick-up trucks, he also said, "People are angry and they are frustrated. Not just because of what's happened in the last year or two years, but what's happened over the last eight years." Yes, it is George Bush's fault that the Democrats lost their 56 year reign over a Senate seat in the dark blue state of Massachusetts. This is a nice attempt to spin this election, but it is so wrong it is silly. This line by the President probably indicates that he will not be clever enough to take
this friendly advice from NRO and distance himself from the liberals currently running things in Congress.
2:59 PM / January 20, 2010
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How are we to interpret Obama's words about the Senate waiting for Brown to be seated? I can't imagine that he's admitting defeat on health care. Is this simply a phony admonition to Harry Reid that he expects will be ignored?
"How are we to interpret Obama's words about the Senate waiting for Brown to be seated?"
As words spoken insincerely.
Nice post, Roger. You know, Obama and his liberal/progressive cronies still don't understand why Americans are angry. They don't like huge deficits, don't like health care being rammed down their throat when they are opposed to it, and they don't like big government. In their haughty disdain, they have looked down their noses at the Tea Parties, the Town Hall, and the American people during these past two elections and they STILL don't get it. Why can't the American people just shut up and listen to their expertise about rationalizing American life according to the ideals of perfection and efficiency, they are asking. They really don't understand, and I think it goes to the root of their political philosophy and their understanding and vision of what America should be under their tutelage. This probably will continue and they will take a beating in the elections of 2010. Some Dems do get it and are running scared from any association with Obama, Pelosi, and gang.