Quote of the Day

Posted on 05/01/2009 at 5:40 pm by Bob Cesca

“Because the idea of American exceptionalism doesn’t extend to Americans being exceptional. If you excelled academically and are able to casually use 690 SAT words then you might as well have the press shoot video of you giving the finger to the Statue of Liberty while the Dixie Chicks sing the University of the Taliban fight song. The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it.”
—Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Aaron Sorkin) responding to the question, “When I speak I try to lead with inspiration and aptitude. How is that a liability?”

(This was published back in September as part of a fictional conversation between Barack Obama and Jed Bartlet, written by Aaron Sorkin for Maureen Dowd’s column. And I’m only now discovering it. Slow on the uptake. Then again, in my defense, I don’t pay attention to Maureen Dowd.)

(Source: commenter ‘Frateloder’)

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  • http://tarackian.deviantart.com J M Ashby

    “The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it.”Says it all.RightWinger1: “Obama uses big intelligent words and correct grammar, he must be an elitist!”RightWinger2: “I dont like the way Obama speaks, and you know what Im so sick of these immigrants not being able to speak english either”

  • Sierradrinker

    I have not read anything that better encapsulates everything that was wrong with the last election than that make-believe conversation.

  • Elena

    I so miss Jed B. At least now we have an actual president to be proud of, instead of only on TV.

  • fe

    oh, this is so ironic! on about six different occasions I’ve wondered if you and Elvis had seen it, and then I thought to myself, ‘nah, of course they’ve seen it!’ so I said something else. I remember reading it back in October (I think) and crying just a little.and yeah, Maureen Dowd is ridiculous.

  • http://www.broadwaycarl.blogspot.com Broadway Carl™

    I could hear Martin Sheen’s voice as I was reading that. God, I miss that show.My only criticism is that Obama comes off as a sap in that scene. But the advice was spot on. Plus, it’s a little easier to read knowing the outcome of the election was not the one that Sorkin evisioned.

  • kansasdem

    Well, I’m not sure about the Dixie Chick snark??????????What University of Taliban song?I almost take that as a, “fuck you ………. fuck you all” comment!I think “Jed” created his own liability!

  • Frateloder

    While I’m a little stunned that you hadn’t seen that yet, Mr. Cesca, I’m glad to be of service.In fact, I’m even a little jealous because you just got to read some brand new West Wing banter and I didn’t! :P

  • Mike from Boston

    I have to say that I hadn’t read that before either. It’s almost stunning to read that now because Dowd/Sorkin/Bartlett hit the nail on the head regarding Americans, YET, all of that didn’t happen.

    I feel better knowing that it didn’t happen this time, but cautious that it probably will happen again.