"Life is like a box of chocolates" or "I like to watch"?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/41200
"The first time President Barack Obama used the metaphor at a Democratic fundraiser in April, he spent exactly four sentences on it: "And yet, after driving our economy into the ditch, they decided to stand on the side of the road and watch us while we pulled it out of the ditch," Obama said at the Los Angeles event for Sen. Barbara Boxer of California. "They asked, 'Why haven't you pulled it out fast enough?' 'I noticed there's, like, a little scratch there in the fender. Why didn't you do something about that?'" (See: White House searches for a villain)
It has since become the Mr. Potato Head of campaign stump speech metaphors.
The president keeps expanding on it. This week, as he repeated it at fundraisers across the country, it continued to balloon into several paragraphs and with bells and whistles tacked on in all directions.
Obama changes features around. He introduces new characters. He adds new props. The other day he decided Republicans were sipping Slurpees as they watched Democrats dig out the car. (Incidentally, Obama is the only president to ever use the word "Slurpee" in a speech, according to the archives of The American Presidency Project). (See: Mosque debate strains tea party, GOP)
There's been a lot of mud in the ditch. It's been all over Democrats as they push and shove, sometimes with their shoulders. In some speeches Obama has the Democrats wearing boots. Other times they're wearing galoshes. He's added bugs and sweat to the scene. There are sore backs and "huffing and puffing." His family and political friends get cameos. And while he's insistent that Republicans can't drive, he's offered for them to hop in the back seat."
I liked it. Apparently others did too. But, thanks for reminding me about Chauncey Gardener, one of my favorite characters by a really funny actor, Peter Sellers. There is wisdom in humor.
Apparently metaphor is unpresidential. ::)