It behooves a political candidate to choose slogans and phrases that are not easy for political foes to make fun of.
General Dwight Eisenhower did it marvelously with his simple I like Ike buttons.
As one political critic observed, it was small enough to fit on a pin-back button. It was both slick and direct enough to stymie any unintended appropriation by political foes.
Morning in America worked well for Ronald Reagan in 1984. If Mondale’s people found a clever comeback they didn’t use it.
Mitt Romney’s choice of Believe in America may be as successful as Reagan's Morning in Amercia.
On the other hand, Obama’s new Forward slogan is already being mercilessly mocked such as forward, what -- over the cliff?
Hope and Change was more catchy but it too has been mercilessly derided by detractors who have often said “how’s that Hope and Change working out for you” when talking about the problems of the Obama administration such as unemployment.
From now until November we will see FORWARD shouting at voters in capital letters.
How many different ways will the slogan FORWARD will be mocked during the campaign?
The slogan will certainly be a special gift to political cartoonists. One example with a "blame Bush" theme is shown below:
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