Hillary Clinton’s contribution to the all-purpose excuse genre

To date, this blog has observed the political innovation of the All-Purpose Excuse — the signature line that can be used to justify anything. Two examples: 1) “If we don’t do it, the terrorists will win.” 2) “If we don’t do it, the Republicans will do it in the fall.” Hillary Clinton came up with ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

To date, this blog has observed the political innovation of the All-Purpose Excuse -- the signature line that can be used to justify anything. Two examples: 1) "If we don't do it, the terrorists will win." 2) "If we don't do it, the Republicans will do it in the fall." Hillary Clinton came up with a new one yesterday on This Week: "I?m not going to put my lot in with economists."Try it around the house -- it's easy and fun!: Honey, you should really brush your teeth before you go to sleep. I?m not going to put my lot in with dentists. Or: Will we have enough money to pay our bills this month? I?m not going to put my lot in with accountants.Or: That cop has his sirens on... maybe you should pull over. I?m not going to put my lot in with the heat.

To date, this blog has observed the political innovation of the All-Purpose Excuse — the signature line that can be used to justify anything. Two examples:

1) “If we don’t do it, the terrorists will win.” 2) “If we don’t do it, the Republicans will do it in the fall.”

Hillary Clinton came up with a new one yesterday on This Week:

“I?m not going to put my lot in with economists.”

Try it around the house — it’s easy and fun!:

Honey, you should really brush your teeth before you go to sleep. I?m not going to put my lot in with dentists.

Or:

Will we have enough money to pay our bills this month? I?m not going to put my lot in with accountants.

Or:

That cop has his sirens on… maybe you should pull over. I?m not going to put my lot in with the heat.

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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