7 Reasons Why Your Congressman Makes No Sense
Here are the 7 worst political cliches ever.
July 3, 2013— -- intro: Just think of this list as the game changer we need to get politicians and the media to stop kicking the can down the road and quit using political clichés.
Seriously, though. Tired clichés are a timeless American tradition. (Get it?) So, in honor of America's 237th birthday, we are rating our least favorite. Hope the media and politicians can take a hint -- stop it! -- because it's the economy stupid, and America is at a crossroads.
Check out our list and video and leave your least favorite political cliché in the comments.
Watch ABC News and Fusion reporters share their least favorite political clichés.
quicklist: 1title: "Game Changer" text: You might recognize this time-worn phrase from stories about last year's presidential election. But its seeped into coverage of the immigration debate as well.
Examples: "CBO Scoring of immigration bill a game-changer" … "Corker-Hoeven Amendment Far from a Game Changer" … "Graham praises Rubio as a 'game changer' in immigration debate" .. "Immigration not a political game changer for GOP"
Why it's annoying: "Game changers" rarely change the game. Who needs to stop using it: Mainly news editors, but also all other humans who can speak.
media: 19558968
quicklist: 2title: "Kick The Can Down The Road"text: It's most frequently used to describe the debate over federal debt and deficit. It's also the most likely to make you want to smash your head against a wall.
Examples: "Kick the can down the road, says Krugman" … "Congress' addiction to kicking the can down the road" … "Obama's chance to lead -- or kick the can down the road" … "Sequester cuts 2013: Boehner warns 'we're out of road to kick the can down'"
Why it's annoying: Using a six-word idiom to describe procrastinating is a form of procrastination. Who needs to stop using it: Elected officials, pundits, can haters.
media: 19559020
quicklist: 3.title: "The war on ________"text: The "war on terror" and the "war on drugs" long ago became cliché. But at least they are actual wars. But what about these?
External: "The war on the unemployed" … "the war on coal" … "the war on women" .. "the war on religion" … "the war on children"
Why it's annoying: Most people who use this phrase have never fought in a real war, which might be why "The war on ________ seems appropriate to them. Who needs to stop using it: Political messaging strategists.
media: 19559207
quicklist: 4title: "Job Creators"text: It's a favorite of Republican leaders when talking about their love for small businesses.
Examples: "The House Republican Plan for America's Job Creators" … "Don't tax the job creators: Romney" … "Kasich: Budget will appeal to job creators"
Why it's annoying: No one says, "I am going to go down to the local job creator to buy myself a sandwich."Who needs to stop using it: Republican politicians.
media:19559268
quicklist 5title: "We're a nation of immigrants"text: If you've been following the immigration debate closely, this phrase is surely ringing in your ears.
Examples: President Obama: "[P]eople understand the United States is a nation of immigrants" … Marco Rubio: Immigration bill "speaks to our nation's legacy, both as a nation of laws, but also as a nation of immigrants." … Dick Durbin: "We are a nation of immigrants—that's my story."
Why it's annoying: We know, dudes. Who needs to stop using it: Supporters of immigration reform. Oh, and anyone who hopes to capitalize on the future batch of immigrants that will join the current nation of immigrants.
media: 19559383
quicklist: 6 title: "The American people" text: Politicians constantly claim to speak on behalf of "the American people" in order play up their own agendas.
Examples: "Jindal to Obama: 'Stop scaring the American people'" … "Huckabee" Obama lied to the American people" … Luis Gutierrez: The GOP doesn't understand " just how much the American people want comprehensive immigration reform."
Why it's annoying: Are you really speaking for the American people? Or just yourself? Who needs to stop using it: Everyone.
media: 19559529
quicklist: 7title: "Double down"text: The phrase "double down" has become so ubiquitous that those who use it have begun to border on self-parody.
John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, authored the book "Game Change" about the 2008 presidential race. Their forthcoming work about last year's campaign? "Double Down: Game Change 2012."
Examples: Obama wants to "double down" on clean energy … "Michelle Obama: Time to truly 'double down' on anti-obesity push" … "Boehner to double down on debt rule" … "Amid criticism, Romney doubles down on criticism of White House's response to Egypt, Libya attacks"
Why it needs to stop: I would rather lose money in a real casino than listen to gambling metaphors.Who needs to stop using it: The media
media: 19559554
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