Obamma uses the ROYAL 'We' (or perhaps he has a mouse in his pocket)

[kenno]

Over the past several weeks I have noted Obamma using the term 'WE' and 'OUR' alot in response to various questions but blew it off as a rhetorical device to sound "inclusive" in his replys.
No more; last weekend while in a ABC interview he was asked point blank for HIS response to the WH attacks against Fox News Service and answered "We Feel..." "Our advisors....".
Speaking in the third person is a semantic device that originated with the kings and queens of England, it was used to re-enforce the concept that the King WAS England having been placed there by God and to rule in God's place. The rulers of england were more than human, as God's annoited representive they were super-human eclipsing mere mortal status, deserving of the ROYAL 'WE', of course British Royals continued to attend church after taking the throne.
But lets assume that my observations are wrong and that Obamma is grammericaly correct, that would mean the Presidency is now a plurality. Which raises the question: Is that a mouse in his pocket or are there unelected co-presidents in the WH?

[Big_Saw]

I think he's just a sock puppet for the machine... a Manchurian Candidate for globalists and socialists alike.....

[Visinedrops]

I think he's just a sock puppet for the machine... a Manchurian Candidate for globalists and socialists alike.....

I think you're right 'Saw. He's the first person in history to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize without actually doing anything to earn it.

[Big_Saw]

Oh he earned it by slamming the US day after day, in any nation that would listen....what a tool...

[cbprice797]

There have been several people that did absolutely nothing deserving to be awarded the Nobel PEace Price. Yasser Arafat comes to mind first and foremost.

[Skyowl's Wife]

Maybe he's wee-wee'd up?

[Thomas Icom (Ticom)]

As I was taught in business, you use the term "we" when you represent an entity such as your employer, when you are speaking on behalf of said employer. Admittedly I learned that 20+ years ago, and the commonly used protocol is a lot less formal now. Habit is what it is however, and I've had to explain this more than once to people who are used to the newer, more informal business protocols.

Obama, being the same age as I am, probably learned the same protocol and is operating under the same convention, especially considering his background in organizations that do run under a business model. Yes, non-profits and other "community organizations" are still businesses.

Really now though, there's enough to fault the man for without having to get into business grammar usage and protocols.

While the "we" usage may have started among European royalty, and may be a predominately European grammatical mannerism in this day and age. There was a time, not too long ago, where that was proper protocol in the American business world.

On a related note, I feel that the informalization of business protocol, and the change in business attitudes as a result, is one of the downfalls of this country. Or it just might be a symptom. Regardless it's still not a good thing.

[kenno]

Ticom
So what you are saying is that when he was asked how "He' felt about a subject and responded in the 3rd person he was legitimate in using a 3rd person response because he was representing a plurality; that this plurality had 'advisors'.
I am Ok with that.
You just confirmed my original posit.

[Lakotahecate]

As a former English teacher I experienced many a chuckle whilest reading your post: "A LOT" is TWO words, you use a couple of neologisms, and other than that, a copy of Strunk & White may help your future word usage. Also, the monarchy of England went to "church" (Catholic- holy apostolic blah-blah) until Henry the VIII decided he wanted to divorce (as his wife failed to produce a male heir), at which time the Anglicans were born. It's good to be king.

[kenno]

Yeah, I see that you must have been a real hoot in the teacher's lounge. I'm sure you had them rolling in the hallways, gasping for air what with your wit and Strunk and all. I for one am just compleately defeated by your uncanny grasp of nerdisms.