I hope what follows gives you confidence as we move forward toward a better and brighter tomorrow.
Harry Truman during a press conference campaigning for John Kennedy in 1960. Journalist DY jotting down a few notes, back turned on lower left.
If you read my last blog, you know I think words are important. They are the root of all communication and are how I have made my living for the past 50+ years.
With Election Day behind us – HOPEFULLY – it’s worth a look to see how effectively recent Presidents have used their words. I’m not making any of this up. The quotes that follow are all on the internet for everyone to see.
Let’s start with Harry Truman, shown above in a long ago grainy photo. To say the least, he was a colorful character. Here’s a real Truman-ism. My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. To tell the truth, there’s hardly a difference.
Then there’s Bush 41. Who can ever forget these immortal words? I do not like broccoli. And, I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli. How Presidential is that?
Bill Clinton, the last President of the 20th century, was never at a loss for words. Here’s a selection of classic Clinton-isms. I did not have sex with that woman.....It depends on what the meaning of the word is is.....It depends on how you define the word alone.....There were a lot of times when we were alone but I never thought we really were.
Clinton’s successor, Bush 43, remains a definite candidate for the Mt. Rushmore of responses. They misunderestimated me.....The German asparagus are fabulous.....I remember meeting the mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office.....I didn’t grow up in the ocean – as a matter of fact – near the ocean – I grew up in the desert. Therefore, it was a pleasant contrast to see the ocean. And I particularly like it when I’m fishing.
Barack Obama had a very self-deprecating style of speaking. These days, I look in the mirror and I have to admit I’m not the strapping young Muslim socialist I used to be.....It’s no secret that my Vice President is still ambitious. But, let’s face it, his age is an issue. Just the other day, I had to take Joe aside and say Joe, you are way too young to be Pope.
Which gets us to Donald Trump. If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.....If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?
And then there is this new guy on the scene, somebody named Biden. Folks, I can tell you I’ve known eight Presidents, three of them intimately.....Stand up, let ‘em see ya (introducing a local politician who was in a wheelchair).
Let’s close this nonsense with some important words from a wannabee who might have been our President. Does the name Sarah Palin ring a bell? Curse you, political establishment.
Hmmmm. She always had a way with words.
DY: In Just a Few Words is a blog that comes out when something needs to be said or every Tuesday - whichever comes first. Davis Young is a communications professional who adds 50+ years of experience and perspective to issues of the day. His emphasis in DY: In Just a Few Words will be humor (a touch of sarcasm here, a pinch of facetiousness there...). Once in a while, he will touch on something a bit more serious - but hopefully not too deep or depressing.
This blog is a product of DY Author & Speaker LLC. Feel free to quote content with attribution. Respond. Agree. Disagree. Share the content with your friends. Heck - even invite him as a speaker for your group! Enjoy!
