word choice

When the Bidens and Obamas gave their first so-happy-together interview, they underscored the importance of careful word choice. Both Sen. Biden and Michelle Obama misspoke, and as a result, their statements carried sexual connotations.

Sen. Biden talked about conquering his stuttering. “I had to screw up all my courage to take a public speaking class in college,” he said. Muster, summon or gather would have been better verbs.

Later, Mrs. Obama assured Sen. Biden, “Barack is a very easy guy to work with.” We know what she meant, of course, but the placement of a single adjective sure can change the meaning. Is Barack easy to work with or just easy?