Words Can Come Back And Bite

Comments made by the three major 2008 Presidential candidates and their spouses and supporters over the last few months are a reminder that we need to mean what we say and say what we mean. If we don't it is too easy for others, especially our opponents on issues, to misconstrue what was said as the following examples show.

#1
Michelle Obama--February 18, 2008: "People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and...for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback." Note: Obama received rousing applause after making the comment.

February 20, 2008: Clarifying what she said, "What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process." When asked if she had always been proud of her country, she replied, "absolutely" and said she and her husband would not be where they are now if not for the opportunities of America.

Jen Psaki, Obama campaign spokeswoman: "...Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn't be possible in any other nation on Earth. What she meant is that she's really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of American who've never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change."

Cindy McCain, wife of Pres. candidate John McCain, capitalized on Obama's remark by saying, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country.

Bill Kristol, Weekly Standard Editor: "I think the Democrats have to be careful..they're running against the status quo...You have to be careful not to let that slide into a kind of indictment of America. Because I don't think the American people think on the whole that the last 25 years of American history is a narrative of despair and nothing to be proud of."

#2
Sen.Barack Obama--May 22, 2008: After reiterating his respect for McCains' service in a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Obama said, "He [John McCain] is one of those heroes which I speak, but I can't understand why he would line up behind the president in his opposition to this GI bill, I can't believe why he believes it is too generous to our veterans. I could not disagree with him and the president more on this issue. There are many issues that lend themselves to partisan posturing, but giving our veterans the chance to go to college should not be one of them."

Sen. John McCain's response: "Perhaps if Obama would take the time and trouble to understand this issue, he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully, but, as he always does, he prefers impugning the motives of his opponent, and exploiting a thoughtful difference of opinion to advance his own ambitions." He also said, "And I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did." Note: McCain did not return to Washington, D. C. for the vote preferring to stay in California to campaign and raise money.

#3
Sen. John McCain at a rally in Stockdale, CA on May 22, 2008: "I have the knowledge and the experience and the judgment to lead this nation. My opponent does not." He then sarcastically praised Obama saying, "I admire and respect Sen. Obama. For a young man with very little experience, he's done very well. I appreciate his very great lack of experience and knowledge of the issue. He's been very successful." Note: A crowd of about 400 laughed.

#4
Sen. Hillary Clinton in an interview with the editorial board of the Argus Leader newspaper in Sioux Fall, S. D. on May 22, 2008: Explaining why she was staying in the Democratic race, Sen. Clinton said, "My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California."

Bill Burton, chief spokesman for Obama campaign: "Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign."

Sen. Hillary Clinton's clarification of remark: "I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family, was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that whatsoever."

Clinton aide: The New York Senator Clinton was merely giving "historical examples of the nominating process going well into the summer," and that reading anything further into her statement was "inaccurate and outrageous."

Mo Elleithee, Clinton campaign spokesperson: "She was simply referencing her husband in 1992 and Bobby Kennedy in 1968 as historic examples of the nominating process going well into the summer. Any reading into beyond that would be inaccurate."



In order for words to carry a message that will put one in a positive light it is crucial that words not carry a sarcastic tone that belittles others, even opponents. Even though others may laugh at the cleverness of the words it will always be somewhat of a nervous laugh because all people seem to instinctively know that using humor to belittle others lessens the credibility of the message bearer.


Even when extreme care is taken for words to convey the intended message it can still be misinterpreted. The three presidential candidates are politicians and two are lawyers so they are experts on word choice and inflection. Yet, even they commit "fau pauxs" and have make apologies and/or have gone back to clarify misunderstandings about what they said. Yet, in spite of the risks and the fact that words can come back and bite, they keep on speaking because they understand the importance of the message and the cause. Putting oneself on the line like this day after day takes a whole lot more courage than waiting until someone else makes a fau paux and then using that as an opportunity to critique the other person's words and/or to use the same words in a different way to make one's self look good.

Even though a speaker bears much responsibility for the words he or she says to convey the intended message the receiver of the message also bears a great responsibility which will be the topic of tomorrow's blog post.