I just finished watching Senator Clinton speak, attacking Obama for representing empty words and rhetoric, while she stands for "actions." I know Obama has addressed this issue, quoting "I have a Dream" and other phrases as words that have indeed "mattered." I started thinking this morning about the power of words, and how of course they matter ("the pen is mightier than the sword.") I wanted to list all the words -- both positive and negative that have mattered so much in our history. Here's a short list. I'd love to see everyone's addition to this list of "WORDS THAT MATTER"
My list is nondenominational and cuts across party lines. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the sentiments expressed -- just that the idea that "words don't matter" is probably one of the stupidest ideas floated so far by the Clinton campaign, although at least it is a consistent message: Words don't matter, states with caucuses don't matter, little states don't matter, party rules don't matter. Having listed all the things that don't matter, one is left with the impression that little matters to the Clintons other than being back in the White House, no matter how.
Here's my list -- add to it and tell me your favorite "words that matter"
"We the People"
"Fourscore and Seven Years Ago"
"I Have a Dream"
"Ask Not What Your Country Can Do for you but what you can do for your country"
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself"
"Ich bin ein Berliner"
"Mr. Gorbachev tear down this Wall"
"I knew Jack Kennedy, and you sir, are no Jack Kennedy"
"I paid for this Microphone"
"In the Beginning there was the Word. And the Word was God."
"Thou Shalt Not. . . . 1-10"
"Bring it On"
"Mission Accomplished"
"Evil-doers"
"Operation Iraqi Liberation (O.I.L) oops I mean Op. Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
"Healthy Forests Initiative"
"Clean Skies Initiative"
"No Child Left Behind"
"Patriot Act"
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
"Separate but equal."
"All you need is love"
"Give peace a chance"
The list is endless, of words that have changed the world, for good or ill. For Senator Clinton to argue that words don't matter is . . . . meaningless. It also shows that she has not learned the lesson that the Republicans have learned so well -- that it is how you frame the issue that determines whether you "win" or lose the argument. If Senator Clinton truly believes words are merely empty rhetoric, she will never be capable of leading this nation effectively. She may indeed be hard working, capable, and have satisfactory policy initiatives, but she has shown herself to be incapable of effectively promoting herself or her campaign.
Lastly, if we look at how both campaigns have been managed, Obama's campaign has outmaneuvered, outplayed, outsmarted and outled the "more experienced" Clinton team. So add one more sentence to the list of words that matter: YES WE CAN!