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Finally, heeeere’s Sonny — and his introduction of the President

Last month, people kept telling us that Gov. Sonny Perdue had made it into Jay Leno’s monologue on “The Tonight Show.”

But trying to find the clip on the NBC web site was like searching for WMDs in Iraq, or talent in a cattle call for “American Idol.” It proved so elusive that it became more legend than fact.

But find it we did, from Feb. 27, sandwiched between a Hillary joke and the news about Strom Thurmond and Al Sharpton. The link is here.

For the readers among you, here’s what Leno said:

“I love this. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue introduced President Bush at the Republican Governors Association meeting yesterday. And this sounded like a back-handed compliment he gave President Bush. I’ll play it twice. Listen to this.”

Leno then rolls the C-Span video, in which Perdue says:

“You know, Vince Lombardi once said that success is not about strength, it’s not about knowledge. But it’s about will. That’s the leadership that President George W. Bush is providing. Thank you, Mr. President.”

Continues Leno: “So what is he saying there? That Bush isn’t strong, he isn’t smart, he’s stubborn? And Bush looks a little stunned, too.”

We confess that we saw the video in a more local context. The clip is a thorough explanation of the governor’s decision to have the Legislature abandon Atlanta for two weeks. Perdue wanted to give Congress time to accede to his demands on how PeachCare should be fixed.

It was a matter of will, not strength and not knowledge. Our governor was channeling Vince Lombardi.

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By Burdell

March 13, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

A quick perusal of the internet shows that not only did Sonny subtly insult President Bush, but that he did so by misquoting Lombardi.

The quote, as recorded on most “Vince Lombardi Quotes” websites, is: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. “

Completely different meaning.

By A good start

March 13, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Was this the much anticipated launch of Sonny’s national campaign for Vice-President?

 

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