School

Words matter. Careless words really matter. Politicians “walk back” or clarify remarks all the time. We are told that what he or she said wasn’t what he or she meant at all. The apology that follows is supposed to erase or at least neutralize the ill-chosen, inelegant words. Elected officials count on voters’ tendency to forget about the embarrassing remarks. There are so many promises, denials, accusations, spins, and reverses that most voters can’t keep score. That’s pretty much how it goes for national and state candidates and politicians. The exception is the local candidate whose words get printed in the newspaper.