Candidates removing their jackets, rolling up their shirt sleeves, using regional colloquialisms in their speeches are not new gimmicks to appeal to the masses. There was a time when we wanted our leaders to be erudite, knowledgeable, commanding the language and, therefore, our respect and support. Like throwing off the vestiges of legalese, we’ve become mesmerized by plain speaking, self-deprecating, folksy banter in our candidates. As if this was a new phenomena when in reality we can trace it back to such notable politicians as Huey Long and others. No one would expect that a lawyer like Long, or an actor like Ronald Reagan, or a journalist like Palin from a family of educators would not possess a sizable vocabulary. However, could you be part of us plain folks if you didn’t use colloquial phrases like “…you betcha,” “say, it isn’t so, Joe…” or “…There you go again…?”
There is a fine line between folksy and talking down to the electorate. Words can be used to give credibility to what others know to be mendacious statements. Wrapping an answer in folksy lingo does not qualify any candidate as a representative of Middle America.
But As For Me...
I say: “Follow The Money!”
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