Obama’s Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy

[sellitman]

Humor from Andy Borowitz

http://borowitzreport.com/

In the first two weeks since the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the past eight years through his controversial use of complete sentences, political observers say.

Millions of Americans who watched Mr. Obama's appearance on CBS' "Sixty Minutes" on Sunday witnessed the president-elect's unorthodox verbal tick, which had Mr. Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth.

But Mr. Obama's decision to use complete sentences in his public pronouncements carries with it certain risks, since after the last eight years many Americans may find his odd speaking style jarring.

According to presidential historian Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, some Americans might find it "alienating" to have a President who speaks English as if it were his first language.

"Every time Obama opens his mouth, his subjects and verbs are in agreement," says Mr. Logsdon. "If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist."

The historian said that if Mr. Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, "Okay, subject, predicate, subject predicate - we get it, stop showing off."

The President-elect's stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

"Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can't really do there, I think needing to do that isn't tapping into what Americans are needing also," she said.

Note: Watching the 60 Minutes interview made me think how amazing it was having someone so "Kennedy-esk" take over for from what we have witnessed for the past 8 years. I was in tears watching. I know I wasn't alone. -Kevin

[Burma Jones]

1. Remember the sniping over Obama's eloquence during the campaign?

There ARE millions of Americans that are bothered by someone that uses complete sentences.....I suppose they think it's a sign of demonic possession...

[Orrex]

2. You're right, sadly, and those people are idiots

It used to turn my stomach to hear Tony Blair and Bush do a joint press conference. Blair, for all of his many and considerable faults, spoke as though he'd just stepped off the stage at The Globe, while Bush spoke as though he'd just puked his way out of a sobriety checkpoint.

Embarrassing in the extreme, especially for a hoity-toity English major like me, but also for anyone who values clarity of expression and artfulness of speech.

[sellitman]

3. You mean he is someone I can't have a beer with? HORRORS!!!!

Ok....fine.


A nice Red Zin works for me!

[MarkInCA]

4. I actually enjoy listening to him. Never thought that way

about a previous president.

Bush - nuff said.
Clinton - He was a master communicator at times, never knew if he was telling the truth. Couldn't stand the lip bite.
Bush - nuff said
Reagan - it was all a scipted act - he was a better actor than president.
Carter - I was young and he had the annoying accent and hugh smile - never paid attention.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Listening to george was painful! I enjoy listening to Obama, too.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

6. If he don't say nukyular, I want my vote back.

:rofl:

[OxQQme]

7. LMAO

"Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can't really do there, I think needing to do that isn't tapping into what Americans are needing also," she said.

[ZombieHorde]

8. K&R&B