Lincoln v. Rather Results

The Lincoln vs. Rather Color Commentary Showdown attracted substantial interest earlier this week.  Here's the breakdown of who said what:

The Rather quotes were all culled from his election night coverage broadcasts in 2000 and 2004.  Rather really said:

1.  "If a frog had side pockets, he'd carry a hand gun"

4.  "Don't taunt the alligator until you've crossed the creek."

6.   "don't know whether to wind the watch or to bark at the moon"

9.   "Mother is right, looks can be deceiving."

...and a whole buch of other goofy things I couldn't use but you can read here.

The rest were pure Lincoln.

The key distinction is that Lincoln was using his folk metaphors to impart wisdom, while Dan, I fear, was just being folksy.

Comments

[Sissy Willis]

That's why we refer to Honest Abe vs. Dan False-but-Accurate Rather.

[Terry Cowgill]

Unfortunately, I think Dan was only "trying" to be folksy in attempt to craft his image. "Four score and 20 years ago" it was not.