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Obama Rarely Mentions War, Terrorism

Words 'health' and 'economy' dominate president's vocabulary

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2009 10:23 AM CDT
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(Newser) – To listen to Barack Obama speak, you might think he was a peacetime president, rather than one with more than 100,000 troops in the field, write Zachary Abrahamson and Eamon Javers for Politico. They pored over nearly every one of the half-million-plus words Obama has said publicly as president, and discovered that he’s uttered the words “health” and “economy” more times each than he’s said “Iraq,” “Iran,” “Afghanistan” and “terrorism” combined.

“Jobs” likewise have been mentioned twice as often as “security” and four times more than “war.” Other word omissions are telling as well. Obama has said the word “gay” just 13 times, and “abortion” only 15. Democratic strategist Paul Begala thinks the breakdown is “perfect,” adding, “That’s why he’s president of the United States today. He was elected principally on the economy and health care.”

President Barack Obama greets troops as he departs St. Louis, Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
President Barack Obama greets troops as he departs St. Louis, Wednesday, April 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama listens to a question as he speaks at town hall meeting about health care, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H.
President Barack Obama listens to a question as he speaks at town hall meeting about health care, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama speaks at town hall meeting about health care, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H.
President Barack Obama speaks at town hall meeting about health care, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
NewserScooter
Aug 14, 2009 5:23 AM CDT
At least they kept their focus on the important issues. Not on how to best help the Chicago political machine. How many times did he say "Daiey"?
NewserScooter
Aug 14, 2009 5:20 AM CDT
Adapt, lets be clear Obama does not "meet" with the American people on a daily basis. He barely meets with the national Media on a daily basis, and how many overseas trips has he been on so far?
Shannonals
Aug 14, 2009 3:37 AM CDT
Funny you should mention the PRA PaleRider, considering Bush, (25%), is second only to Truman, (22%), in having the lowest Presidential Approval rating. Any President that works for an approval rating doesn't deserve to be President.

 
national security • Barack Obama • domestic policy • speech • Paul Begala • political strategy • President Obama

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