Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy - Talk of The Villages Florida

Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy

 
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  #1  
Old 12-02-2008, 09:42 PM
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Default Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy

Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy:
Stunning Break with Last Eight Years


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."
  #2  
Old 12-02-2008, 10:56 PM
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As long as he has the teleprompter Obama does fine.
  #3  
Old 12-02-2008, 11:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sally Jo View Post
As long as he has the teleprompter Obama does fine.
Geez...I didn't notice the teleprompter during that interview nor during the Q&A at the press conference. Do you have a link showing that?
  #4  
Old 12-02-2008, 11:05 PM
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I do not understand the mentality of folks who must make fun of others on a personal level and especially a President of the United States.

Talk about and criticize someones policy decisions, idelogy but to take personal "shots" at any President or someone in public life makes no sense to me.

That applies to both parties, both men mentioned here.
  #5  
Old 12-02-2008, 11:12 PM
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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.


Sister Philothea would be so proud
The Good Sisters of St. Joseph just loved grammar and the proper use of the English language.
  #6  
Old 12-03-2008, 03:30 AM
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Unhappy

I guess the use of proper English is going down the tubes just like morals, manners, etc., etc. What next?
  #7  
Old 12-03-2008, 07:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgal View Post
I guess the use of proper English is going down the tubes just like morals, manners, etc., etc. What next?
Appropriate dress.
  #8  
Old 12-03-2008, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Coconuts View Post
Appropriate dress.
I agree with you again Coconuts.

I also have a secret aversion to glitzy, tawdry, sentimental wedding invitations.


Go on JUMP ON ME!

Here comes Tony. I have a ticket for hijacking this thread. What a way to start this day.
  #9  
Old 12-03-2008, 09:20 AM
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Default Seems like Bush bashers have no other scale to measure things with.

Open your horizons....when trying to elevate the eloquence keep in mind the prepared agendas VS a stand up, unprepared environment.

Also don't forget to mention that most good speakers do not necessarily speak in complete sentences. For those that do, it is an indicator of too much preparation. The only response is the learned one. So don't be too hasty to give out good marks to a practiced orator!

Talk is cheap. Let's see what he accomplishes and when.

BTK
  #10  
Old 12-03-2008, 11:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgal View Post
I guess the use of proper English is going down the tubes just like morals, manners, etc., etc. What next?
??? prpr engl?? Y? txt msg engl is ok 4 me. U 2?

It is always refreshing to hear the National Language spoken in a clear and concise manner.
  #11  
Old 12-04-2008, 02:57 AM
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rekop....
Great Post!!! I know it was tongue in cheek and although not an Obama voter, I have always been impressed with his statesman-like manner and speech.

It's also refreshing that he has had several news conferences discussing his plans and appointments.

One of the biggest downfalls of the Bush presidency has been his utter failure to effectively communicate with the electorate.

No communication=No support.

Hopefully Obama will be a good communicator and apprise folks of the real challenges ahead instead of sugar coated platitudes. Americans always rise to the occasion when presented with the facts.
  #12  
Old 12-04-2008, 07:14 AM
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It is sad to say that there was one time when we know for sure that President Bush communicated quite clearly with far too many Americans.

"Go to Disney World."

And they did. And to the mall. And on other vacations they could not afford. And home to order all kinds of things they did not need, from those television shopping networks, and, and, and.....Livin' large in a house of plastic cards.

"Go to Disney World." (Subject/Predicate? Sure enough. Imperative Sentence. Subject? The understood (you.) "Go" is the verb, at the start of the predicate which includes the adverbial prepositional phrase "to Disney World." (That's the part of the sentence where he told Americans where to go.)

Hey, I can be snippy this morning if I want to. I voted for him twice. But I did not go to Disney World.

Boomer
  #13  
Old 12-04-2008, 09:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rekop View Post
Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy: Stunning Break with Last Eight Years

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.

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."
Rekop, thanks, your post was really funny. Especially the Palin bit. Glad that we can still laugh about politics.

Even though I wasn't an Obama fan, I now greatly admire his communication skills and his presidential demeanor. His intelligence and elegance shine through.
  #14  
Old 12-04-2008, 11:21 PM
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Default Tom Freidman Hit It On The Head...

...in his New York Times column a few days before the election. He said..."we need a president who can speak English and deconstruct and navigate complex issues so Americans can make informed choices. We have paid an enormous price for having a president who could not explain and reassure us..." on any of the important national issues we've experienced in recent years.

What a refreshing change.
  #15  
Old 12-05-2008, 12:02 AM
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Lest we become all dewy eyed over our president-elect's grammatical abilities, I think we need to realize he also misspeaks and is just as human as the next person when "a opportunity" arises. (He used that clunker in one of his latest off the cuff statements), and if one googles, "Obama's grammatical errors", more examples are available. His ace in the hole in regards to grammar is the slack the media affords him.

I'm with BTK on this one, "Talk is cheap. Let's see what he accomplishes and when". I have been impressed with some of his latest discussions regarding staff selections, (grammar aside and the emphasis on CONTENT). My wish is to see him follow through on the proposals he has made since the election.
 


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