CBS reports today that President Obama has a propensity for the catch phrase “Let me be clear.” Here are some of the many examples they cite:

-”Let me be clear,” he said in describing his surprise at winning the Nobel Peace Prize. “I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.”

-”Let me be clear,” he said in one of his dozens of pitches for a health insurance overhaul. “If you like your doctor or health care provider, you can keep them.”

-Terrorists? “Now let me be clear: We are indeed at war with al Qaeda and its affiliates.”

-Student testing? “Let me be clear: Success should be judged by results, and data is a powerful tool to determine results.”

-Iran? “Let me be clear: Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran’s neighbors and our allies.”

-Auto bailouts? “Let me be clear: The United States government has no interest in running GM.”

-Now, let me be clear,” Mr. Obama said in March, before Bo the dog arrived. “I don’t have anything against dog parks.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Obama’s style, which he referred to as presidential throat “clearing,” is purposeful. “While some in Washington seek political advantage by hiding behind ambiguity,” Earnest said, “the president regularly seeks to make it clear where he stands and what he intends to do.”

Not sure I agree with Josh. I think Obama’s use of “Let me be clear” speaks to something far more substantive in scope. I think he may use it out of  FEAR of being misconstrued, misquoted, and/or misinterpreted. Clarity has become tantamount these days because so many people don’t LISTEN anymore.

So perhaps he says “Let me be clear” not by choice, but out of necessity. Because let’s face it, if he isn’t clear, that is, if he leaves things open to interpretation, we all know many people in the mainstream media and blogosphere will take his words, pulverize them, pour in a few gallons of regurgitated rhetoric, produce a bowl of mud, and then serve it up piping hot to whomever will consume it [ed: and innocuously refer to it as "opinion"]

Of course there are other possibilities. It’s possible Obama, ever the spin doctor, uses the phrase as a device to demonstrate he is multi-dimensional. Or as a euphemism. Or to enforce his authority. Or because deep inside he thinks he is the only one with any vision, and the rest of us are completely BLIND. But chances are he is simply trying his best to be explicit and consequently minimize the amount of droppings left on the floor for the trolls.

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/13/politics/main5381556.shtml