September 7th, 2011
One of President Obama’s recurring speaking tropes that “the time for [xyz] is over,” “xyz” always being something bad. For instance, in Detroit earlier this week, Obama said, “The time for Washington games is over.” Washington games being pernicious, QED.
This is a terribly lazy locution. Because it presupposes that, up until a short while ago, it was time for Washington games.
Last month? Good for gaming in Washington. Last Friday night? Play away! But now? Oh no. The window has closed. Time to put those terrible, callow games away.
I wouldn’t make such a big deal about it, but you’ll recall that Obama is the finest writer to occupy the presidency since Lincoln.
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December 9, 2008: “The time for delay is over, the time for denial is over.”
February 5, 2009: “The time for talk is over.”
September 8, 2009: “The time for bickering is over.”
December 18, 2009: “The time for talk is over.”
March 8, 2010: “The time for talk is over.”
July 30, 2011: “The time for putting party first is over.” -
“The time for realizing just how dull and dim-witted I really am…has begun.”
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September 9, 2011: “I want you to tell your Congressperson the time for gridlock and games is over.”
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P.S. Just for fun, set yourself a Google alert for “Obama” and “the time for” and “is over.” I got 8 results just today.
Jason O. September 7, 2011 at 4:45 pm
“The time for betting on a primary challenger for POTUS on intrade is certainly not over.”
-Jason O., September 7, 2011