The Dangerous Danglers
If the 2000 Gore-Bush campaign was all about the “fuzzy math,” the 2008 campaign is shaping up to be about the grammar gremlins. So far, they show no party loyalty. The problem dangler has appeared in several major speeches since the conventions opened on August 25 and they continue just about every time the candidates open their mouths.
Let’s start with a quick refresher on this pesky error. Structure and word placement determine the meaning of the sentence. Consider these two examples.
Worn out and dilapidated, the house was remodeled by Mrs. Jones.
Worn out and dilapidated, Mrs. Jones remodeled the house.
(Poor Mrs. Jones. If she were that worn out and dilapidated, it’s a wonder she could remodel the house.)
With that out of the way, let’s look at a few examples from the political stage, starting with a gaffe from new kid on the block, Governor Sarah Palin. During her impressive first speech to the nation at the RNC, Palin, talking about McCain and his military record, stated,
“As the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as Commander in Chief.”
What Palin meant was, “As the mother of one of those troops, I want that kind of man as Commander in Chief.” She, after all, is the mother of one of those troops. Instead, her statement literally states that “that kind of man” is the mother of one of those troops. Regardless of how amazing you think John McCain is, he is NOT the kind of man who could be the mother of one of those troops.
I’m an equal opportunity grammarian, so let’s consider some of the DNC keynote speakers, starting with former Virginia Governor Mark Warner who warmed up the crowd for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night. Near the end of his speech, Warner exclaimed,
“As Governor of Virginia, it was humbling to occupy a position that was once held by Thomas Jefferson.”
As stated, the nebulous pronoun “it” was the governor of Virginia. Warner should have said, “As Governor of Virginia, I was humbled to occupy a position once held by Thomas Jefferson.”
On the heels of Warner’s flub, Hillary Clinton poked fun at the Republican candidate and committed a similar error.
“Now, with an agenda like that, it makes perfect sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities, because these days they’re awfully hard to tell apart.”
What Clinton meant was, “Now, with an agenda like that, McCain made a logical decision to meet together with George Bush in the Twin Cities.” It’s McCain who has the agenda, right?
Another dangler came in the last speech of the convention frenzy, in the final minutes of Senator John McCain’s charge to the nation:
“I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your president. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank him, that I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth. And with hard work—with hard work, strong faith, and a little courage—great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.”
Did you hear it? Did you see it? He tells us the great things have hard work, strong faith, and courage when what he meant was, “with hard work, strong faith, and a little courage, America will achieve the great things that are within our reach.”
Here’s an idea: If you get tired of hearing the same political promises and platitudes day after day, you can always just make a game of listening for the grammar gaffes.
Share and Enjoy
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I’ve been reading along for a while now. I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work.