What is "the Mantra"? A set of words sprouted by those in government to deny or direct away responsibility. As Susie Madrak points out, it's spreading:
I was watching MSNBC last night and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) is now repeating the BushCo mantra: Faith-based groups, neighbors helping neighbors, government being "too big and too slow" to really help people, etc.
I made a terrible bet with some folks last week - that the Bush Administration will use similar language - while blaming local incompetence - and making grand photo ops - to get an approval ratings spike or bump by ten points. It sounds crazy, but I don't think so. We shall see.
And hey - if you think that's cynical - check out what Barbara Bush said in Texas when faced with so many displaced human beings in the Astrodome: "so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them." (via Atrios)
Cold, callus, and calculating. Think that quote will get much play in today's news? Doubt it. Way too revealing. The Bush family has always been masterful at playing the media like a fiddle. Then again there are signs that broadcast media is waking up. Let's hope so.
I'm not sure there was much calculation behind it; it may have just been a case of her words betraying how out of touch she is with the reality most people live with.
It's unfortunate, especially since they brought her in to show the more sympathetic side. It's just too hard to fake like you're everyday people when you're that out of sync.
Maybe not calculating.. you have a point.. but cold and callus still apply. And revealing.