Politicians (previous quotes in a PDF file)

In terms of obviousness?
'Obviously there has been a major inconvenience to commuters but the system is now back up and running. In terms of Metro's performance, they're obviously here for the long haul. They're continuing to improve their performance and we look to them to do that. They are very good transport operators, I have seen what they do in Hong Kong and they're here for the long haul and they will continue to improve. The improvements are occurring but they're slow and obviously, there has been an ordinary start, if I can describe it that way, to the first half of the year.' Victorian Premier John Brumby, The Age, talking about Metro rail meldown. 27 July 2010.

'We've had some issues over the last month or two. They've been issues across Australia and they have affected the Labor brand and I think you're seeing that reflected (in the poll).' Victorian Premier John Brumby. The Age, 1 July 2010.

'They're a very strong set of budget books with a very strong set of surpluses going forward ... We make … commitments and we make them to deliver during the term of office.' Victorian Premier John Brumby. The Age, 6 May, 2010.

'ROBERT MCCLELLAND (Australian federal Attorney General): We'll be working with the UK. The UK are already rolling out the biometrics. What we'll be endeavouring to do is to supplement and value add to that framework that's already in place, those technologies, so that we're not replicating or duplicating them.

SABRA LANE (ABC reporter): I understand that...'

'We are about delivering on core services ... There is now a Minister for the State Plan - our long-term plan to drive improved performance and accountability in delivering services to the people of New South Wales.' The latest NSW Premier Kristina Keneally. Thanks to Alasdair McGregor

'I am willing to look at that and develop a body of work around that, because I think there is a need for it, because I get a growing sense that there are from time to time local governments and landholders who believe there should be some slight adjustments.' Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden, 'Minister alters view on sprawl', The Age. Thanks to Judith Loriente

'As we get closer to bringing the legislation to Parliament, I look forward to briefing members of the opposition on these issues and giving it more technical insight, not only in terms of the operation but also in terms of an understanding of the financing and costs incurred by governments in putting infrastructure in place.' Victoria 's Planning Minister Justin Madden answering a question in Parliament on the proposed Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution tax. Thanks to Judith Loriente.

'It's a roadmap going forward.'
Premier of Victoria John Brumby talking about water restrictions. Herald Sun, 2 November 2009.

'I don't think there is any doubt at all that some of the events over the last few months have damaged our brand and the Australian brand in India.' Victorian Premier John Brumby commenting on the bashing of four Indian men in Melbourne. 17 Sept. The Australian

While addressing German press and Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Rudd said it was unlikely any progress would emerge from the Major Economies Forum (MEF) 'by way of detailed programmatic specificity'. Perthnow.

'As I said before, we the government will take every representational opportunity to put an appropriate position to the Chinese at whatever level, based on the best advice of our consular officials on the ground.' Kevin Rudd July 9 2009

'Mr Garrett, the former anti-uranium activist who once stood for the Nuclear Disarmament Party, said he did not take the decision lightly.  But he said that he was "certain this operation poses no credible risk to the environment" after it was subjected to a "rigorous and comprehensive assessment".' The Age, 15 July 2009.   
Thanks to Michael Doyle for the above three quotes.

'I always said it was a process, not an event and we'd need to improve it as we went.' Chris Bowen on GroceryChoice, as reported on ABC Online. Thanks to John.

From BBC TV News on 28 Feb 09: Kevan Jones, the new Minister for Veterans (UK) spoke of a “welfare pathway” and a “welfare bubble” for war veterans. Thanks to Hal Jacob who says: 'My welfare bubble has burst and all the money and love has drained away down the pathway'.

'As the Government targeted the anti-deficit declaration in Parliament, Mr Springborg yesterday talked of "front-ending" public service jobs and not refilling those considered "denecessary".' 'Lawrence Springborg stumbles to explain deficit plan', Courier Mail.com

'At Sarah Palin's old church in Wasilla, they spoke in tongues. Maybe that's where she picked it up.' Sarah’s Pompom Palaver; Maureen Dowd, Oct 4, New York Times

'[Sarah Palin] is like Jodie Foster in the movie "Nell." They just found her, and she was speaking her own special language.' Jon Stewart, Oct 9 New York Daily News

"You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one," McCaine said, motioning toward Obama. "You know who voted against it? Me." ... Understand what the Republican nominee was doing. He did not slip up. Not "The Senator," But "That One" John Nichols, Oct 10 The Nation

'Instead, in such cases what you regularly get is a predictable US narrative about what happened made up of outlandish claims (or simply bald-faced lies), followed by a strategy of stonewalling, including a blame-the-victims approach in which civilian deaths are regularly dismissed as enemy-inspired "propaganda," followed - if the pressure doesn't ease up - by the announcement of an "investigation" (whose results will rarely be released), followed by an expression of "regrets" or "sorrow" for the loss of life - both weasel words that can be uttered without taking actual responsibility for what happened - never to be followed by a genuine apology.' An anatomy of collateral damage: Tom Engelhardt, 17 September, Asia Times Online

'Choice: Although it's still part of the abortion debate (see pro-life), choice is also a Republican code word for privatisation, a term that got a bad name with President Bush's botched attempt to privatise social security. It's also used for promoting private sector involvement in traditional government functions. Now Republicans talk about "retirement choice", "Medicare choice" or longstanding favourite "school choice".'
Muhammad Cohen, 'How to speak Republican', Guardian.co.uk

'One of the first things to establish is a campaign slogan. All successful politicians fight for something. Good things to fight for are Working Families, Our Children, or better yet Our Children's Future. You can say just about anything while on the campaign trail provided you tie it to Our Children's Future. If your opponent is already using a "fight" slogan, then you should consider "working" for something in yours. Realize that Working for Working Families sounds pretty awkward. Incorporate "fight" in your campaign before your opponent does.'
How to run a campaign: PoliticalCliche.com

'Living on the single age pension is very, very tough, which is why we are committed to its reform.' Australian PM Kevin Rudd.

Commit. 2 (i) For sure ... not. Of course ... maybe. In all likelihood. Can't see why not ... probably, depending on the circumstance. Intend to passionately. Non-core. Watson's Dictionary of Weasel Words, Contemporary Cliches, Cant & Management Jargon.

'These pilots will trial or expand initiatives that exemplify strategies to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for those students most in need of support...' Media release from Kevin Rudd PM and Julia Gillard, Deputy PM and Minister for Education.

'Only by embracing innovation and reform will we develop the new infrastructure and capabilities required for economic security and continued prosperity.' Australian federal Education Minister Julia Gillard on why 'public TAFEs will be forced to compete with a growing number of private providers for student funding dollars'. The Age, 26 August.

Rock Solid
The 'commencement date should occur in the context of having firm commitments from the rest of the world in terms of what they are going to do ... it should occur in an environment where the blowtorch has been applied to the major emitters throughout the world and we have a commitment from them in terms of the action that they will actually undertake.' Brendan Nelson (Australian Opposition Leader) agreeing with his minister Greg Hunt that the Opposition's commitment to 2012 for the start of an Emissions Trading Scheme is 'rock-solid'.

But there's always room for further continuous improvement, going forward...' Victorian Premier John Brumby

'I will definitely remember to suck my stomach in going forward.' A blog entry discussing yoga.

'... Karl Rove insists that he never precisely leaked Plame's name itself. (Rather, he seems to have confirmed that he'd heard that former Ambassador Joe Wilson's wife worked for the CIA, not that he named her. With the cover of such weasel words indictments are dodged.)' Jack Tapper 'McClellan: Bush Shoulda Canned Rove', 2 June 2008, Political Punch - ABC News Blog

'This is a global problem... but we have a plan going forward.' Australian PM Kevin Rudd on increasing petrol prices.

It was to 'get Toyota across the line on this announcement and to make sure that what might have been a question mark going forward becomes an affirmative decision.' Victorian Premier John Brumby on the $35 million of public money going to Toyota.

'There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today.' US presidential candidate John McCain prior to visiting a Baghdad market while being flanked by 22 soldiers, 10 armored Humvees, and two Apache attack helicopters.

'We were probably over-optimistic, I think, in the time frames,' Mr Brumby said yesterday. 'We were given time frames that were overly optimistic. We are not able to achieve those.'
Victorian Premier, John Brumby on the new public transport ticketing system that will now cost: '....$1.3 billion rather than $1 billion in round terms.' He's confident that the recent $350 million blowout is 'the final financial exposure.' Melbourne Herald Sun, 28 May.

(previous quotes in a PDF file)

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