“… is that all the strength you can muster?”
Anyway, that was my reaction to this list from the WashPost’s The Fix of 11 best and worst political lines of the year. As zingers or pithy observations go, they leave much to be desired. But I think it’s been that sort of political year so far:
11. “I don’t even know who this woman is.” — Businessman Herman Cain on Sharon Bialek, the woman accusing him of sexual harassment.
10. “To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.” — Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman via Twitter on the debate over climate change within the GOP presidential primary field.
9. “I am the government.” — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on being the government.
8. “Journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn.” — Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin responding via Facebook to the attempted assassination of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
7. “When they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan I’m going to say, you know, I don’t know. Do you know?” — Herman Cain on foreign policy.
6. “You’re the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord.” — Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann…..in New Hampshire.
5. “Corporations are people, my friend.” — Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in response to hecklers at the Iowa State Fair.
4. “Get the hell off the beach…you’ve maximized your tan.” — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) warning sunbathers to flee Hurricane Irene.
3. “His remark was not intended to be a factual statement.” — Spokesman for Sen. Jon Kyl(R-Ariz.) regarding the senator’s claim that abortions accounted for more than 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does.
2. “I can’t say with certitude.” — Then Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) on whether a lewd picture was, in fact, him.
1. “Oops”. — Texas Governor Rick Perry at the end of a 50-plus second (unsuccessful) attempt to remember the third federal agency he would eliminate if elected president.
See what I mean? When “Oops” is No. 1, the quality of political rhetoric, even of gaffes, has gone down…
You want to see something good? Here’s the song my headline came from:
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The Christie comment was clever. Otherwise these are just really lame. Where’s the: “I paid for this microphone” moment or “I knew Jack Kennedy, he was a friend of mine. And senator, you are no Jack Kennedy”. Or “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” This year we have “oops” What a fitting commentary about this year’s political discourse.
“Or “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?””
That will come next October. It will be the question that determines Obama’s fate.
Cain: http://robertariail.com/2011/11/10/999/
Perry: http://robertariail.com/2011/11/12/in-the-headlights/
Doug is right, but the question is: with reference to exactly when is “four years ago?” You would probably get very different responses if you got people thinking about early 2008 vs. late 2008, after the financial collapse.