Remember a few weeks ago when President Obama reportedly said to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor: "Eric, don't call my bluff"? Lots of commentators said that this was a "tell"--that by referring to "my bluff," Obama was admitting he was bluffing.Actually, his play was even worse than that. A bluff is a pretense. The bluffer knows he has a weak hand but bets as if he has a strong one in order to induce his opponents to fold. Obama had a weak hand but thought he had a strong one. His next words to Cantor, according to Politico, were a vow to "take his case 'to the American people.' " He actually believed--for all we know, he still believes--all that World's Greatest Orator nonsense.
OK, so he's not exactly a card sharp -- but let me tell you, friend: Obama's not just playing Chinese Checkers; he's playing four-dimensional Chinese Checkers. I'd explain it to you, but it's way, way more than your poor brains can handle.
Comments (2)
Good point about the bluff. My poor ol' brain got it. One minor point about your entry; the expression is "card shark" not "card sharp." Maybe if we're lucky, some day someone will invent a technology that will be accessible to all, where we can check our grammar, spelling, and expressions "in a jiffy." (he said in jest)
Posted by B.O.B. | August 2, 2011 8:15 PM
Posted on August 2, 2011 20:15
Actually B.O.B. I've heard the phrase used both ways. Card Shark OR Card Sharp.
Posted by john | August 2, 2011 8:26 PM
Posted on August 2, 2011 20:26