Here’s a suggestion for candidates in political races. It has nothing to do with 527 groups or negative campaigns or party credit cards or Croesus-rich candidates. Just this. Could we agree to a moratorium on certain phrases that have lost their meaning through overuse and underperformance? For starters:
*”For the people.” Who else? Surely, not the evil-doing special interests. This includes anyone running for governor without a party affiliation.
*”For a change.” Indeed. Avoid political clichés for a real change.
*”Making a difference.” It should be obvious by what you propose. If not, a hackneyed slogan surely won’t make any difference.
*”Accountability.” Can’t it just be assumed that you and every member of the electorate are decidedly in favor of accountability? Just get on with your agenda.
* “Walk the walk.” You’re still talking the rhetorical talk.
* “Best thing since sliced bread.” Actually “iPad” works a lot better and ups your hip quotient.
*”Pork.” That’s other politicians’ community-benefiting projects. Don’t denounce it unless you’re without earmark sin.
*”Nazi.” Unless we’re talking crimes against humanity or a Seinfeldian (“soup Nazi”) parody, avoid it. It’s a cheap-shot device for demonizing the opposition. Can erode whatever moral high ground you deign to claim. And, yes, it applies to the current immigration debate.
*”In a recent poll.” Unless you can site sampling specifics, including how the questions were worded and to whom addressed, please refrain. You can find — or commission — a poll to show anything.
*”Creative solutions.” Permissible only if you haven’t trafficked in any of the above.