Bushisms in 2005

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By Arthur Spiegelman
Fri Dec 30, 9:05 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Call it the wrong phrase at the wrong time but "Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job" was named on Thursday as U.S. President George W. Bush's most memorable phrase of 2005.

The ill-timed praise of a now disgraced agency head became a national punch line for countless jokes and pointed comments about the administration's handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and added to the president's reputation for verbal gaffes and clumsy turns of phrase.

Paul JJ Payack, president of Global Language Monitor, a nonprofit group that monitors language use, says Bush's statement in support of the then-director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be remembered for years to come.

"The 'Brownie' quote leads our 2005 list of Bushisms -- memorable phrases or new words coined by the president," Payack said, adding that Bush may be the foremost White House creator of new words, citing such past efforts as "misunderestimate" (to seriously underestimate) and "embetter" (to make emotionally better).

Ten days after Bush verbally patted Michael Brown on the back before the TV cameras, Brown resigned amid a public uproar over his qualifications and the administration's failure to get aid to New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Although the president did not originate any new words this year, he had several notable statements, Payack said, citing the following:

-- "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda," Bush said in explaining his communications strategy last May.

-- "I think I may need a bathroom break. Is this possible?" Bush asked in a note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a U.N. Security Council meeting in September.

-- "This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table," Bush said in Brussels last February.

-- "In terms of timetables, as quickly as possible - whatever that means," the president said of his timeframe for passing Social Security legislation in March.

-- "Those who enter the country illegally violate the law," Bush said in describing illegal immigrants in Tucson, Arizona, last month.

Global Language Monitor uses an algorithm to track words and phrases in print, electronic media and the Internet. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets.

just imagine what hed sound like without the earphone and screen prompters!

I keep reading the title of the thread as "Buddhisms"

A site great with all a collection of audio-Bushisms. Press back once you get there to find more stuff about it like him doing them on video. http://politicalhumor.about.com/library ... saudio.htm

My favourite was what he said to a group of fishermen about "one day, man and fish living together in harmony". I can't remember the exact wording, but it's crazy.

I think it was something like "i know the human being and the fish can one day co-exist peacefully". He also said to the brazilian president "do you have blacks too". If he doesnt know that then how is the poor guy to be blamed for getting the wmd question wrong?

I think Bush will be glad that when his term ends as President and the We all will not have him to pick on anymore.

Really? I think he enjoys his job. No-one forced him to run for a second term.

I think He can not weight for His term to be over with Myself.

He remembers His Father Loosing though that is why He ran for a second term.

Anyway they always run if their in office for as long as they can.

Yes that was it, thank you so much, I'm going to change my signature to that.



Do you how bad for the economy that will be? Think of all the unemployed comedians out there...

mjs82

The comedians will never be unemployed they will have someone new to joke about in the end.