Word: wonk
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...timing is indeed everything came Wednesday for HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo. Normally, the release of a federal report on homelessness merits some polite yawns and space on page 17A. But bring it out amidst a Rudy Giuliani-Hillary Clinton fight on the issue that has everyone interested (even noted wonk Rosie O'Donnell has used her show as an anti-Rudy soapbox) and suddenly we're all very intrigued...
...there is no percentage, as Governor or as President, in trying to master every subject or micromanage every decision. But as Bruce Buchanan, a political scientist at the University of Texas in Austin, says, "Bush is trying to turn his weakness into a virtue. He's not a policy wonk, so he has to rely on people who are." And there is a risk to that approach, adds Buchanan, who is an admirer: "Bush's biggest weakness is that he might not be in a position to discern the credibility of the options his advisers...
...Gore talked about ozone depletion, at times pulling out charts like a college professor. His passion seemed pretty real, to me at least. At some point in this campaign, though, he decided not to sound wonky--which is probably a mistake if you are, in fact, a wonk. Instead of posing, Gore might follow Gray Davis. As California's Lieutenant Governor, Davis was in a similar bind--second banana, dull, familiar. Instead of feigning charisma, Davis ran for Governor last year as, well, dull and experienced...
...POPULI What will Bill Clinton do when he's out of office? Maybe he'll tool around Voxcap.com The new website is a wonk's dream. Not only is it a forum for policy discussion on national issues, it also points you toward activist organizations like the Sierra Club and helps you send letters to your local newspaper or Representative right from the site. So far, discussions have been low volume, but perhaps they'll heat up soon with posts like "Ex-Prez...
...close friend and adviser of Megawati, but the moderate Muslim leader broke with the populist icon over her reliance on street protests as a political tool. The verdict of the international financial community is not yet in, however, because Wahid is more of a spiritual leader than a policy wonk and has given very little indication of his economic thinking, save for general statements about complying with IMF requirements. Although he led a coalition of Islamic parties that opposed giving the presidency to a woman, Wahid is considered relatively liberal and his insistence on ending social unrest made...