Nearly a decade ago our 42nd President rode to election victory on the slogan "It's the economy, stupid!" Ironically, the other phrase that sticks in our minds from that campaign was uttered by our 41st President: "Read my lips ..."
In 1993 Charles R. Morris wrote an interesting commentary on the former statement, which is available at http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ecbig/ecstupid.htm
The latter phrase was selected as the lead for the President's biography at http://www.famoustexans.com/georgebush.htm Its irony in the context of this presentation is that it proves the point that explicit knowledge -- i.e., "the record" -- trumps wishes, hopes, intentions, political rhetoric and other forms of tacit knowledge.
In any event, these two examples highlight the power of a well-turned phrase, a dynamic upon which I hope to capitalize by shamelessly plagiarizing the title of my presentation here today.
