Presidential Candidate Buzzwords
Will Saletan Analyzes What They Say vs. What They Mean

Will Saletan

In a series of stories for Day to Day, Slate political analyst William Saletan deconstructs the political language used by presidential candidates.

Browse the reports in this series below. Also, Follow Saletan's analysis of American politics and policy -- read the latest Slate Ballot Box.

Gen. Wesley Clark's buzzwords Will Saletan examines the buzzwords of Democrat Wesley Clark, a latecomer to the race -- "hands-on," "contact group" and "hunger for leadership."

George W. Bush's buzzwords Saletan skewers the favorite phrases of President Bush: "Hot on their trail, got 'em on the run," "tax relief," "modernize," "death tax" and "responsible."

John Kerry's buzzwords Saletan dissects Kerry phrases "when I came back from Vietnam," "go to the moon, right here on Earth" and "G.O.T.V." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Kerry

Bob Graham's buzzwords Saletan takes apart the buzzwords "grandchildren," "electable wing of the Democratic Party" and "A-Team." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Graham

Carol Moseley Braun's buzzwords Saletan dissects Carol Moseley Braun's use of "creative/clever/smart," "saber-rattling" and "unelected." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Braun

John Edwards' buzzwords Saletan digs into Edwards' favorite political phrases: "on stage," "Washington" and "son of a mill worker." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Edwards

Dennis Kucinich's buzzwords Saletan skewers some favorite Kucinich buzzwords: "weapon of mass destruction," "Department of Peace" and "fully paid." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Kucinich

Al Sharpton's buzzwords Saletan explains the subtle meanings behind the Rev. Al Sharpton's use of the phrases "hip-hop nation," "thermostat leaders" and "tax shift." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Sharpton

Dick Gephardt's buzzwords Saletan dissects Gephardt's favorite buzzwords: "ROTC for teachers," "experience" and "fiscal relief." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Gephardt

Howard Dean's buzzwords Sorting through Dean's buzzwords "Democratic wing of the Democratic Party," "Bush recessions" and "civil unions." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Dean

Joe Lieberman's buzzwords Saletan focuses on Lieberman's use of the buzzwords "entertainment industry," "God" and "Clinton/Gore." » NPR's Bob Edwards interviews Lieberman

Other Resources

Slate profiles of each of the major Democratic Party candidates, plus George Bush:
» Joe Lieberman: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Howard Dean: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Richard Gephardt: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Al Sharpton: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Dennis Kucinich: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» John Edwards: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Carol Moseley Braun: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Bob Graham: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» John Kerry: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» George W. Bush: bio | agenda | buzzwords
» Gen. Wesley Clark: bio | agenda | buzzwords

» Political analyst William Saletan is a featured writer of Ballot Box on Slate -- read the latest Ballot Box feature.

» Joe2004.com -- Lieberman's campaign Web site

» DeanForAmerica.com -- Dean's campaign Web site

» DickGephardt2004.com -- Gephardt's campaign Web site

» Al2004.com -- Sharpton's campaign Web site

» Kucinich.us -- Kucinich's campaign Web site

» JohnEdwards2004 -- Edwards' campaign Web site

» CarolForPresident.com -- Braun's campaign Web site

» BobGrahamForPresident -- Graham's campaign Web site

» JohnKerry.com -- Kerry's campaign Web site

» GeorgeBush.com -- Bush's campaign Web site

» Clark '04.com -- Clark's campaign Web site

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