Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1933209,00.html

I suspect that Barack Obama works at projecting that aura of postpartisan open-mindedness because he understands its political value. There's the chance his opponents will have a good idea; there's the certainty that independent voters will give him points for listening. And there's the need for inoculation against the charge that he is all sizzle, no steak, a need he admitted when he mocked himself at last year's Al Smith dinner. "If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility," he said. "Greatest weakness, it's possible that I'm a little too awesome."

(1)
What do you mean by "postpartisan"? Does it mean "cross-party backing"?

However, "post" of postpartisan means "after," so I can't understand why the write used the word.

(2)
Why did the writer use the word "a need" of "a need he admitted when ..." instead of using "the need"? Is this because there is ONE need among many needs which he has?

(3)
Why did the writer use "Greatest weakness" instead of "Greatest strength"? In the previous sentence, the writer used "my greatest strength."

Thank you in advance.

[Eric Thompson]

Dear learner 12: (1)You're right, 'post' means 'after', which doesn't make sense referring to partisanship. The 'post' in 'postpartisan' means 'beyond'. When thinking positively about the future, one would imagine this situation happening after these partisan days. (2) Your analysis sounds good to me. (3) The 'greatest strength' and 'greatest weakness' sentences have quotation marks and thus are Obama's own words, not the writer's words. It's actually a joke from Obama. A person having humility, would never say that he is too awesome. They are opposite ideas. And being awesome is generally considered a strength. It's a witty remark, and kind of 'deep', causing one to think hard about it. ok? -- Eric

[learner12]

Dear Eric Thompson:

Happy New Year!!

Thank you so much for your logical explanations!

Take care have a nice happy day.