Politics of language: For Obama, the right 'words matter'

[bemildred]

If a "bailout" for the banking industry sounds like a giveaway, call it a "rescue" and it might attract more support. If a "pullout" from Iraq sounds like a retreat, just call it a "drawdown."

And if the financial crisis leads to a temporary takeover of some big banks, "nationalization" would be a scary way to describe it — so try "receivership."

These days in Washington, the battle over policy and political advantage often comes down to words, labels and marketing. After eight years of a president known for mangling the language, the Obama administration is showing a keen understanding that whoever succeeds in framing an issue in words that resonate with the public is way ahead of the game.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, no slouch in the marketing department, lamented that spending on the nation's infrastructure did not have more support because "the word means nothing to a majority of people."

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11927896

[Demeter]

1. Those Words Must Be Matched By the Right Actions

and I have yet to hear the right words in any but the most trivial of social issues, the so-called "culture wars". And the right actions are equally trivial in the grander scheme of things, like a popsicle at a housefire.

[bemildred]

3. True.

But I have to say that if I was him, I would dissemble my intentions whenever it seemed expedient. This is war. I remember what honesty got Jimmy Carter, and I don't want Obama to get stuck the same way.

[DCKit]

2. So, unlike the Republicans, Obama's got to tell the truth AND accurately describe what he's doing.

No more "NCLB", "Healthy Forests" or "Clean Skies" for U.S. - He's got to sell his programs on their merits to a hostile M$M and even more hostile GOP.

No fair.