Transformational Speech

This morning, I read a story about thee campaign buzzword for 2008; transformational (and its various derivatives). It reminded me of an infamous 1996 Newt Gingrich memo that listed "Optimistic Positive Governing" words and "Contrasting" ones to be used by Republicans "to help you clearly define the policies and record of your opponent and the Democratic party." As for controlling the national debate with these idioms, Democrats have held a clear advantage since President Bush burned himself on the third-rail of politics following the 2004 election.

For more on this type of linguistical manipulation, read Murray Edelman's Constructing the Political Spectacle (a concise and informative 130 pages for any political novice).