They instead of We
My take on the hits Senator Obama took yesterday for calling small town Pennsylvanians “bitter” is that he (and any one else) walks in dangerous territory when you start talking in “theys”. They believe this or they think that are not the discussions we need to be having.
The Obama campaign is all about the “we” and if he can keep the focus there, we will be fine. I think his point is well-taken, but was made in a less than articulate way. Nuance does not transfer well in our current soundbite obsessed culture, and when he has tried to deliver nuance it has hurt him. I don’t believe that means he should stop trying, but I would understand if he did start being more careful with his choice of words.
