I am happy to be in Michigan this morning. I'm happy to have my brother Scott and Sister Lynn here. And I'm proud to have all my children and grandchildren here too.He's Mitt Romney. He's running for President.
"Michigan is where Ann and I were born. It is where we met and fell in love. I still love Ann. And I still love Michigan!...
"I always imagined that I would come back to Michigan someday....
"I chose this site for a number of reasons. It's filled with cars and memories. Dad and I loved cars. Most kids read the sports box scores. Dad and I read Automotive News....
"I love America and I believe in the people of America.
"I believe in God and I believe that every person in this great country, and every person on this grand planet, is a child of God. We are all sisters and brothers.
"I believe the family is the foundation of America – and that we must fight to protect and strengthen it.
"I believe in the sanctity of human life....
"I believe in America!
ADDED: My favorite sentence is "Dad and I loved cars."
Posts
52 comments:
You should put I still love Ann in your masthead.
If I can nitpick -- Romney says Franklin discovered electricity. He didn't. Greeks understood static electricity. Gilbert in 1600 first used the word electric. Franklin made a contribution to the study of electricity, but he didn't discover it.
short sentences filled with words with no content! the ever-decreasing circle of campaign rhetoric. it's kind of musical - minimalism of a sub-glass variety: blandness taken to the level of sublimity, motherhood, apple pie, rinse, repeat.
although the fact he read car mags rather than box scores is actually quite appalling. as if one can't do both...
So he's Hemingwayish . . . so what?
Ann - don't you get tired of hearing that?
Rumtumtugger said:
"short sentences filled with words with no content! the ever-decreasing circle of campaign rhetoric"
You are correct BUT could you imagine any democratic candidate mountingthe same words? I did not think you could- so it's fair to say Romney's words had content.
And what if Romney had gone on to say he would support a policy to give every child under 18 a cash grant of $2,500 a year? That's family friendly and encourages couples to have kids. Which party if any would support that policy? And no means testing involved.
For instance,
He should get Kate Smith as his running mate....
"Short sentences!"
Hemingway would approve.
dear AJ
my observation was not partisan: i'm not criticising romney the republican, just romney the speaker. dems, republicans, they're all terrible, all attempting to talk without meaning, and generally succeeding. some say 'oh, that's because they have to build broad coalitions and so they can't afford to alienate anybody'. well, it appears that they merely succeed in alienating *everybody*.
Short sentences are effective. Just the other day, I observed that, for all the scientific talks I've been to, I can't recall a single time somebody has said "Wow, I understood everything that guy said. He must be an idiot!" But you'd be amazed how many people act as though that's not true.
I've been to a lot of talks where I've had to listen to long sentences and tried to stave off boredom by translating them into short sentences, the stupidity of which I could them marvel at before obsessing about the door and how to get myself on the other side of it.
He's shallow. He's conservative. He's plastic.
Perfect for you, Annie!
I've been to a lot of talks where I've had to listen to long sentences and tried to stave off boredom by translating them into short sentences
That's a great idea. I always sit near the door. Drink lots of fluids so you have a reason to cut out. I mean, if people see you chugging water, and then leaving, they're not thinking you're dissing the speaker who so richly deserves it.
One nice thing about Constitutional Law, though -- no Russian accents!
I think he's going to be someone's veep.
Nothing makes for good punditry like a profound love of Republicans and the attention span of a gnat.
He sounds like Thomas S. Monson giving a Mormon General Conference talk, with all the short sentimental thought-bites.
Of all the major candiates of the two parties, he is probably the best qualified. He is the best educated (with relevant education) and has the most relevant qualifications.
But he is highly unlikely to win. Why? First, the obvious: he is Mormon. And secondly, he is the real candidate of the religious right - we now have a president who somewhat came from there, and as a people are too tired of that for another right now. And third, he is Mormon (did I mention that before?)
If Romney had 36DDDs and slept with half the world we would be treated to topic a day here...but alas...
Mitt is obviously the heir to the George Romney brain. Frankly, I am surprised he wants to be president. When you peel the skin of this grape you'll find all fluid and no fiber.
Come on, Mormonism has gone so mainstream that they make protestants look wacko. Even Gordon B. Hinckley doesn't know that they believe the weird stuff anymore, underwear aside.
Don't be fooled. Romney is plugged into into a vast, rich, and powerful network of decent civic-minded who are well connected at all levels of government and business. Don't underestimate the Mormons.
Doyle is parrotting the usual liberal self-delusionment that they are so much smarter than conservatives, etc. But of course, the reality is quite different. Last stats I saw showed the Republicans with maybe an average of a year of education advantage over the Democrats. But for both parties, the vast bulk of their voters are right about average in both intelligence and education levels. And most people in this country, regardless of party affiliation, can't understand long complicated sentences.
Part of his use of short sentences is probably due to his education, and part due to his experience in business. Most likely, none of it derives from listening to LDS clergy.
Rather, most of the major candidates are lawyers. They are often rewarded in law school for complex writing. Business school is just the opposite. Similarly, judges are lawyers and often don't penalize overly complex lawyerly writing and speaking. But business does.
"The attention span of a gnat"???
Have you ever heard of insect politics?
I read in the State Journal that some Jewish group was getting all bent out of shape that Romney was announcing at the Henry Ford Museum. Yes, Ford was a noted anti-Semite, but wasn't his life and legacy a little bit bigger than that?
CMARTEL
I agree with most of what you are saying. But while Mormons have gone mainstream, the public perception of them has not gotten there yet.
When I dealt with a lot of Mormons on a day to day basis, I very quickly found that most of my preconceptions were false. They are mostly extremely hard working, family oriented, and straight as arrows. I did much better with the men though, as the self-righteous side of Mormonism seems to come out more in some of the women. I almost never saw it in the men (I might have seen it more in church if I had attended such).
Why isn't Ann demanding to know where the substantive policy proposals are?
I mean we know from her extensive coverage of Obama that she's a hardcore policy wonk, and wants to get down to the nitty gritty.
"Dad and I loved cars" works for you now?
When Romney loses he has no one to blame but his own party for their elevation of religion as an issue. Mormons as people seem decent and extremely generous, but when observing their actual beliefs, which Republicans have elevated as an issue in this country, it seems pretty weird. There is a new litmus test in this country based on religion, and I'm sorry but Mormonism seems closer to Scientology in many respects than it is to Protestantism.
Apparently nothing changes. I thought this country went through the religious issue as it pertains to presidential politics in 1960. Who knew it wasnt resolved then.
But was he wearing gloves???
Yeah, and what about his website logo? Does it ressemble candy?
And is he surrounded by a small but vocal group of people with absolutely no sense of humor?
Trey
He learned it from his parents. Look at those crisp, mono-syllabic names: Lynn, Jane, Scott, Mitt.
My favorite sentence was the declaration: And so, with them behind us, with the fine people of Michigan before us, and with my sweetheart beside me, I declare my intention to run for President of the United States.
Lincolnesque.
Did he endorse the use of Audi's? That could be very important , from an endorsement point of view.
And here's what I love about Mitt Romney.
Short sentences!
He could've been a lot shorter:
"See Mitt! See Mitt run!"
I think that pretty well covers the substance.
Have you ever heard of insect politics?
Yes. A guy dressed in a mosquito costume ran for mayor in a boofoo town in Brazil, and won.
His slogan, if memory serves:
Fight Dengue! Elect the Source!
Cheers,
Victoria
I think he's going to be someone's veep
You took the words right out of my mouth, Chuck.
TCD wrote:
The smear is that since Henry Ford held anti-semitic beliefs, Romney must be an anti-semite for choosing to announce at Ford's namesake museum.
I only just blogged about this museum, yesterday.
You know what would have made it even more controversial?
If he had put a placed his rostrum in front of The Rouge Factory, which houses the collection of Ford cars.
Rouge! I can just hear people say.
Depending on your politics, this translates as girlie-man, or commie under the bed.
As for the staccato sentences, you guys are all wrong. He's not Hemingway. Not enough fishermen and impotence in his message.
No, Mitt Romney's more like Agatha Christie.
"There was a body in the library. Sir Buford entered the room. He rang for his butler."
Good, clear, simple English.
You can follow the plot perfectly, but you still don't know what the hell is going on.
Cheers,
Victoria
Ruth Anne wrote:
Lincolnesque.
You mean, Lincoln-logesque...i.e., wooden.
As a trial lawyer for 35 years I can assure you that the most effective way to communicate with a typical jury is to use the techniques employed by Mitt Romney. A great communicator and a man with a great resume. He, like Guliani,is a can do guy. More focused on doing than talking.
Hayek said..."As a trial lawyer for 35 years I can assure you that the most effective way to communicate with a typical jury is to use the techniques employed by Mitt Romney. A great communicator and a man with a great resume. He, like Guliani,is a can do guy. More focused on doing than talking."
Oh brother.
Valley Girl short sentences:
"He's Mitt Romney. He's running for President."
"Gag me with a spoon."
It's not about the length - it's how you use it.
PS to hdhouse:
Hey man, we know you're left-wing and a hater of all things on the right, but how's about answering some simple questions from the last few posts?
Don't be doin' no drive-by spewin',K?
Ann Althouse said...
I've been to a lot of talks where I've had to listen to long sentences and tried to stave off boredom by translating them into short sentences, the stupidity of which I could them marvel at before obsessing about the door and how to get myself on the other side of it."
HMMMMMMM 53 words in that baby.
Mitt Romney is an anti-gay bigot.
Short. Simple. Concise.
Yes - it is strange Seven. I couldn't give a damn what you're doing with your willy. But you and the Republicans are absolutely obsessed with mine.
And remember: Mitt was for gay rights before he was against them.
And he was for abortion rights before he was against them.
I guess you only notice such things from Dems, eh Annie?
hdhouse,
C'mon brother, you runnin' away?
You criticize everyone else, and put down Fox News. What's your recommended news source?
Hmmm, the word "coward" seems like its starting to fit ya.
b...i answered on the appropriate thread. i'm not your "brother". never considered a network that sets up a terry schievo death watch remote to be an accurate news source. if your remote is stuck on faux noise and that is the basis for your beliefs, then god help you cause i can't.
hdhouse,
Found it!
You said:
I read about a dozen papers online each morning..give or take.. I get live news feeds at my office from the wires. I do read the WSJ but not their editorials. I read the Times and Chi Trib and the LA Times and SF examiner for US news but also listen to the bbc world news at my desk. frankly i try and read as much as i can on a daily basis.
Fox News - to hdhouse = faux inaccurate, biased reporting.
So, to restate, hdhouse gets his "accurate" news from the following sources:
New York Times
Chicago Tribune (publisher of the LA Times)
LA Times
San Francisco Examiner
BBC
wire services (assuming Reuters, AP)
Wall Street Journal (but not it's Editorial pages)
Anyone else see a trend?
"And he was for abortion rights before he was against them."
That's a plus for me. I support abortion rights.
how can you possible disagree that faux noise is non-news schlock that is totally biased and makes no pretense other than the slogan fair and balanced?
how is that possible? I'm serious.faux feeds you what you obviously want to hear. that isn't news..that is your security blanket.
you obviously know nothing about media and marketing to a niche audience so why is it that you, ignorant beyond belief, keep citing that type of crap as reliable or worse yet, the foundation of your information? how can that possibly be?
hdhouse,
I'm enjoying your attempts to bait me. Sometimes you are highly creative, other times, less so.
Allow me, please:
I do not watch Fox news ( I don't have cable).
I do not read the Fox News web page.
I do not watch Fox News Sunday over the air.
I do not cite Fox here or there,
I do not defend Fox anywhere.
So we have established Fact #1 about hdhouse: He spouts off about things that aren't actually true.
Thus:
He doesn't necessarily know what he is talking about.
You call me ignorant beyond belief (What are you, Pee Wee Herman-lite: "I know you are, but what am I?")
Fact #2 about hdhouse:
He not only doesn't know of which he speaks, he belittles what he doesn't know.
Which, of course, makes everything else you comment on - like maybe Fox News - highly suspect.
False accusations - is that the best ya got?
give it up "b". i have no patience for double didgit IQs
Ouch.
Well I guess you got me.
You get a pass on being challenged on the substance and "facts" of what you say - after all, you are hdhouse, and as we know from Facts 1 and 2 above, you talk about things that you know nothing about, and then just devolve into name-calling.
That's okay. Be that way. Don't want to cause you any more grief in your middle school years.
Be sure and write when you're all growed up.
BTW, his name is Willard. Mitt is a nickname.
And his reputation for getting things done is vastly overblown.
Post a Comment