Slogans and catch phrases

Many of us remember catch phrases from political speeches and campaigns. Perhaps we feel something nice when seeing or hearing "Yes, we can!", Obama's campaign slogan. Admittedly, it is not very informative - but it introduces an optimistic attitude, and also the important we. To find out what we can do, it is necessary to listen or read more. Other phrases are more helpful and concrete, as "It's the economy, stupid!" used by Bill Clinton in his 1992 campaign.

Colombian politicians of course also try to invent brilliant slogans. President Uribe's favourite phrase is "Mano dura y corazón grande" [Hard hand and big heart] - often accompanied by the natural gestures, the aggressively raised fist changed into an open hand on his chest. Not a bad show. Strongman Uribe also uses "Trabajar, trabajar y trabajar" [To work, to work and to work]. Nobody doubts that he does.

One of Uribe's supporters in 2002 was former president Turbay (1916-2005, president 1978-82), who also strongly supported the reelection in 2006. He is wellknown for some interesting phrases, as "Yo no estoy a favor ni en contra, sino todo lo contrario" [I'm not in favor nor against, but quite the opposite]. Talking about corruption as I did as I did the other day, Turbay declared: "Tenemos que reducir la corrupción a sus justas proporciones" [We must reduce the corruption to its fair proportions]. I would have liked to know these, the fair proportions.

Now, let's have a look at the locals. Arleth Casado is candidate for the senate. Her slogan, she only has one, is "Siempre con todos" [Always with everyone]:

Arleth's posters, murals and banners are all over the place, in the whole region. No matter if her slogan is so impossible that I cannot understand anyone voting for her. Always with everyone! With the rich, with the poor, with the paramilitaries, with their victims! With me, with you! Always! I cannot understand it, but "everyone" belives that Arleth will be elected.

I will get back to her, when I soon will post a note on family ties and political clans.

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PS. I have noticed that Uribe sometimes uses the expression "mano firme" [firm hand], sometimes "mano duro" [hard hand]. I have not done any frequency analysis but it seems to me that with a civilian audience it is enough to be firm, while in front of soldiers Uribe tends to be hard.