Obama accent vs Bush accent (speech, teleprompter, governor, programs)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

When President Bush was in office, it seems many people had a problem with his Southern, or Texan accent. Much was made about it, and he was lampooned for it.

I have not heard the same for President Obama's Ebonics accent, or at least I don't hear it on the news programs, nor is it lampooned on TV at this time.

Is it just a matter of time for this to happen, or does President Obama get a pass on it? If so, why the double standard? Or is it just my hearing and he does not have an Ebonics accent?

[fatchance2005]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

When President Bush was in office, it seems many people had a problem with his Southern, or Texan accent. Much was made about it, and he was lampooned for it.

I have not heard the same for President Obama's Ebonics accent, or at least I don't hear it on the news programs, nor is it lampooned on TV at this time.

Is it just a matter of time for this to happen, or does President Obama get a pass on it? If so, why the double standard? Or is it just my hearing and he does not have an Ebonics accent?

The last one. He'll use some of the slang every now and then, especially when he's speaking to a black audience. His pronunciation is completely different.

[Hoarfrost]

I have never heard any accent from Obama. I've noticed him use intonation that some of us may be familiar hearing every Sunday, but other than that I think you're hearing things.

[EinsteinsGhost]

Texan/Southern accent had nothing to do with Bush being lampooned, on teh internets or otherwise. He gave up plenty of opportunities to take his pronunciations and go nucolor.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by EinsteinsGhost

Texan/Southern accent had nothing to do with Bush being lampooned, on teh internets or otherwise. He gave up plenty of opportunities to take his pronunciations and go nucolor.

Ahh yes, the NU-KEE-LAR word! Governor Palin also has that problem, and so on her teleprompter, it was spelled NEW-CLEAR so that she would not sound like President Bush.

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

When President Bush was in office, it seems many people had a problem with his Southern, or Texan accent. Much was made about it, and he was lampooned for it.

I have not heard the same for President Obama's Ebonics accent, or at least I don't hear it on the news programs, nor is it lampooned on TV at this time.

Is it just a matter of time for this to happen, or does President Obama get a pass on it? If so, why the double standard? Or is it just my hearing and he does not have an Ebonics accent?

Obama does not talk ghetto, which is ebonics as far as I know. At times I think he does sound like an animated preacher, but that isn't ebonics. He clearly speaks well and perhaps the masses might interpret that funny since we're so used to shrub massacering the english language.

[Rhenzanite]

Originally Posted by Braunwyn

Obama does not talk ghetto, which is ebonics as far as I know. At times I think he does sound like an animated preacher, but that isn't ebonics. He clearly speaks well and perhaps the masses might interpret that funny since we're so used to shrub massacering the english language.

That's kind of how I feel... after many years with a president(s) that doesn't really enunciate, nor speak fluidly or intelligently (and I'm not talking about accent persay, more the way he talked) that it's shocking and abnormal to have someone who is articulate.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I want to clarify, I did not say President Obama speaks Ebonics. I said I think he has an Ebonics accent. He does try to oppress it most of the time, but it slips out often, at least that is what I hear.

[Yeledaf]

I'm not so sure that using the Texas drawl doesn't at least partially prejudice some non-Texans against the accent (not that Bush was especially erudite, otherwise).

Those of us old enough to remember Lyndon Johnson might recall when he addressed the nation as "mah fellow merkins."

I was dating a ballet dancer at the time, and she and her friends shrieked with laughter every time they heard that.

(Sidenote: it's important to distinguish between the "Texas" and "Southern" accents; and to distinguish among the many varieties of "Southern" speech. Although not a Southerner myself, I find the speech and the courtliness of our neighbors to the South charming -- especially when used by those of the female persuasion. The first few times I visited the South, I nearly fell in love every time I ordered a cup of coffee... )

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

I want to clarify, I did not say President Obama speaks Ebonics. I said I think he has an Ebonics accent. He does try to oppress it most of the time, but it slips out often, at least that is what I hear.

I don't hear it but I'm sure what ever you're hearing isn't an ebonics accent. Maybe we could constitute it as 'black' but again, that isn't ebonics (as far as I know). eta: if you go to youbtube and search ebonics, you'll get an ear full.