Most Tastless Political Rhetoric Yet

[Duder]

Now, they think they can hide, but they can't hide for long. And they think they can run, but they can't run forever. . .

- George W. Bush
About Al Queda, November 30, 2001



If he thinks he can run and hide, he will be sorely mistaken.

- George W. Bush
About Osama bin Laden, September 27, 2001



Osama bin Laden is going to be brought to justice. He's on the run, but he can't hide.

- George W. Bush
December 17, 2001



You can run from your past actions, but you can't hide from them.

- George W. Bush
About Osama bin Laden, February 2002



They can run, but they can't hide.

- George W. Bush
About Al Queda, October 12, 2001



You can run, but you can't hide.

- George W. Bush
About Osama bin Laden, September 15, 2001



He can run, but he can't hide.

- George W. Bush
Today, October 9, 2001, about John Kerry

Joe Lewis, the great heavyweight champion, once taunted an opponent saying, "He can run, but he can't hide." In 1986, Ronald Reagan revived the same same phrase about Moummar Kadaffi, just before he bombed Lybia. Immediately following the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Bush administration popularized it once again with reference to Osama bin Laden and Al Quada. We heard the it over and over in the chorus of a hit parody song, and we wore the slogan on our T-shirts along with a picture of Osama in rifle crosshairs (see picture, below).

I am incensed - no, outraged - that President Bush has today started using the phrase against Senator John Kerry. You might tell me that all Bush is saying is that Kerry can't hide from his legislative record. But don't you dare insult my intelligent by denying that the President of the United States is using this phrase today as a way of subtly comparing Senator Kerry to Osama bin Laden.

Shame, Mr. President!

[Seasanctuary]

I disagree. It's a common phrase used of people who can't ultimately escape. You're reading too much into things.

I seem to recall a certain someone else calling the Bush campaign a "weapon of mass deception." While meant to be a pun, that's at least a more clear connection than what you're offering.

[Duder]

I disagree. It's a common phrase used of people who can't ultimately escape. You're reading too much into things.

I seem to recall a certain someone else calling the Bush campaign a "weapon of mass deception." While meant to be a pun, that's at least a more clear connection than what you're offering.

Not even in the ballpark, Sea, and you should know it.

This is a clear, implicit comparison of Senator Kerry to the worst terrorist in the world's history.

"Weapon of mass deception" is a bad pun implying deception on Bush's part.

The two are not even close.

[Jimmy Higgins]

Not even in the ballpark, Sea, and you should know it.

This is a clear, implicit comparison of Senator Kerry to the worst terrorist in the world's history.

"Weapon of mass deception" is a bad pun implying deception on Bush's part.

The two are not even close.

When over 40% of the US thought that Hussein was "personally involved" with the 9/11 attacks, when the President and his Administration never specifically called it out, you can't overlook the Bush Administration's speeches, buzzwords, and themes.

[Seasanctuary]

This is a clear, implicit comparison of Senator Kerry to the worst terrorist in the world's history.

Sorry, I just forgot to put on my tinfoil hat earlier.

Better now.

[Duder]

Sea -

You know darned well that as the speechwriters discussed putting this into Bush's speeches, they wondered if this wasn't just a bit too much. The reference to Osama is so obvious. And Bush himself must have wondered if this did't go a tad bit too far. But they decided the milage they'd get out of the comparison was worth sacrificing manners and civility, and the respect of every non-Bush partisan after the upcoming election.

Take off the tinfoil and use your common sense and your heart, for God sake.

[Arnold]

>>>I am incensed - no, outraged - that President Bush has today started using the phrase against Senator John Kerry. You might tell me that all Bush is saying is that Kerry can't hide from his legislative record. But don't you dare insult my intelligent by denying that the President of the United States is using this phrase today as a way of subtly comparing Senator Kerry to Osama bin Laden.<<<

Your manufactured indignation is a hoot - keep it up!

[Piebald]

Errrr.. this is quite a stretch.

[Arnold]

Sorry, I just forgot to put on my tinfoil hat earlier.

Better now.

[Duder]

>>>I am incensed - no, outraged - that President Bush has today started using the phrase against Senator John Kerry. You might tell me that all Bush is saying is that Kerry can't hide from his legislative record. But don't you dare insult my intelligent by denying that the President of the United States is using this phrase today as a way of subtly comparing Senator Kerry to Osama bin Laden.<<<

Your manufactured indignation is a hoot - keep it up!

Be careful not to cross the line of calling another poster a liar, unless you have evidence to back up the accusation, newbie dude.

[Arnold]

Be careful not to cross the line of calling another poster a liar, unless you have evidence to back up the accusation, newbie dude.

oooo... I am shakin' in ma boots...

[Duder]

oooo... I am shakin' in ma boots...

It's all right, calm down, no need to get nervous. Just a gentle reminder, friend.

[Jaltus]

Wow, paranoia at an all time high.

[Lily]

oooo... I am shakin' in ma boots...

I cracked up on this....

[Losvedir]

Joe Lewis, the great heavyweight champion, once taunted an opponent saying, "He can run, but he can't hide." In 1986, Ronald Reagan revived the same same phrase about Moummar Kadaffi, just before he bombed Lybia. Immediately following the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Bush administration popularized it once again with reference to Osama bin Laden and Al Quada. We heard the it over and over in the chorus of a hit parody song, and we wore the slogan on our T-shirts along with a picture of Osama in rifle crosshairs (see picture, below).

I am incensed - no, outraged - that President Bush has today started using the phrase against Senator John Kerry. You might tell me that all Bush is saying is that Kerry can't hide from his legislative record. But don't you dare insult my intelligent by denying that the President of the United States is using this phrase today as a way of subtly comparing Senator Kerry to Osama bin Laden.

Shame, Mr. President!

Meh, I disagree. I didn't catch the allusion. I think he's just using a common phrase. A Google search for "You can run but you can't hide" yields 22,000 results, while one for "you can run but you can't hide" +osama only yields about 700. It's been shown time and again that little catchphrases are what sticks in people's (juries, tv watchers, etc.) minds. Just look at how "global test" and "flip-flopper" have taken off. I suspect they're just using the catchiness of the phrase against Kerry, and nothing more. I mean, really, how many do you think will catch the allusion anyway?