New campaign catchphrase: "Where's the beef NOW, Moses?"

Swami:

I saw Hillary Clinton using a new catchphrase during a speech for Barack Obama -- something about "jobs, baby, jobs." It reminded me of "it's the economy, stupid," and got me to thinking about old campaign catchphrases. But my question to you, Mr. Crystal Ball, is what will be the NEXT campaign catchphrase?

23 Skidoo

Dear Skid:

Indeed, Sen. Clinton, in another attempt to look supportive of former blood rival Barack Obama, stumped for the Democratic presidential nominee in Philadelphia Monday and mocked the "drill, baby, drill" chant made semi-famous during the Republican National Convention.

The moment reassured a jittery nation that our political leaders will always come up with a snappy expression during a time of crisis -- or, in their case, a political campaign:

"There you go again," said Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan in 1980, torching Jimmy Carter's Medicare critique with a practiced theatrical flourish rather than getting bogged down in the details.

"I didn't inhale it, and never tried it again," said Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992, demonstrating a refreshing honesty that would become his trademark.

And surely we all remember Lloyd Bentsen's spontaneous and obviously rehearsed dismissal of Dan Quayle in 1988: "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." That one critical turn of phrase no doubt helped lock up, oh, let's just say Hawaii's 4 electoral votes out of the 111 taken by the powerhouse Dukakis-Bentsen ticket.

But to your question: What will we be hearing from the presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the next three weeks? The crystal ball can reveal the following, though you will have to wait and see the context for each:

"The only thing we have to fear is my opponent itself."

"John McCain is the night-time sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever, so-you-can-rest medicine."

"Senator, you ignorant slut."

"Come, son of Jor-El -- kneel before Zod!"

"Four out of five dentists surveyed recommend Barack Obama and Joe Biden for their patients who chew gum."

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."

"From hell's heart, I stab at thee; for hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee."

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."