Brilliant Southern phrases in politics
When I was in Alabama my friend Char was eager to tell me about this brilliant play on words that people in the south invented. It basically allows you to say something bad about someone and come off as a caring, thoughtful person. If, for example, you want to point out how your friend Kramer has no style, simply say
“Kramer has no style, bless his heart”.
or you could say “Bless his heart, but Saha isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed”.
Presidential candidate Joe Biden just used the technique, to my amusement, by saying:
“God love him, he’s been mayor of New York City.”
That’s a cutting blow to Giuliani, no doubt (meaning that being the mayor of NYC doesn’t exactly make you presidential caliber).