In his speech yesterday, Joe Biden seemed literally unable to stop using the word “literally”.
It started out well enough, when Biden declared that “it’s not political sloganary when I say we literally can’t afford four more years of this non-energy policy written by and for the oil companies.” Certainly, that wasn’t a very sloganary slogan.
In the next line, though, Biden confused me when he said that dependence on foreign oil “literally, not figuratively, literally putting America’s security at risk.” How could that claim be interpreted figuratively? Is America’s security a symbol for something else?
Biden completely lost me when he claimed that “The next President of the United States is going to be delivered to the most significant moment in American history since Franklin Roosevelt. He will have such an incredible opportunity, incredible opportunity, not only to change the direction of America, but literally, literally to change the direction of the world.” Literally change the direction of the world? Is the next President going to spin the Earth so that it turns in the opposite direction on its axis?
Then, Biden accused of marking the Senate up all over the place, with graffiti, I think. “I watch with amazement. He made his mark literally from day one reaching across the aisle.”
Finally, Biden questioned his own credibility, as well as the credibility of the Obamas: “America gave Jill and me our chance. It gave Barack and Michelle their chance to stand on this stage today. It’s literally incredible.”
If someone doesn’t tell Joe Biden what the word literally literally means, all of Senator Biden’s speeches will indeed be literally incredible.
I literally had the exact same reaction you did to all of the comments you mentioned, with the possible exception of “literally from day one,” which isn’t as eggregious as the others.
Let me introduce you to a man who will literally be the next President of the United States, Literal Joe Biden.
I was hoping someone would mention it and include a couple quotes, so thanks for that.
I literally cannot believe that you don’t read that statement with focus on the phrase “He made his mark literally”.
I literally, not figuratively, need to go back to bed.
Over a month on the campaign trail, and literally nothing has changed with regard to this verbal idiosyncrasy. Hard to believe, folks, hard to believe, but it’s true folks, that it’s literally impossible for me to focus on any of the substance of his speeches. It’s literally like being electrically shocked at irregular, but assured, intervals.