Thanks But No Thanks

Every presidential campaign has its catch phrases. Yesterday, we talked about “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” This year, it looks like the phrase du jour is shaping up to be “Thanks but no thanks,” which is what Sarah Palin is reporting she said to Washington regarding Alaska’s Bridge to Nowhere.

Except, as Talking Points Memo is tirelessly pointing out, Palin only said “Thanks but no thanks” after the project was already dead.

In 2006, the Democrats took over both houses of Congress. So by the time Palin got into office it was clear that not only was the first Bridge earmark killed but that Congress was not going to be ponying up any more money. That meant that Alaska was going to have to pick up the tab all on its own. So since she couldn’t pay for it with the federal pork barrel, in September 2007, Palin officially halted the project which was then a state project since Congress had said ‘Thanks. But no thanks’ two years earlier.

So feel free to begin incorporating “Thanks but no thanks” into your every day speech. But people, please, take the time to first learn this phrase’s subtleties so you can use it correctly. Otherwise you’re just going to embarrass yourself.

Note that the phrase is tongue-in-cheek and carries a healthy dose of latent irony. When you do use it, resist the urge to wink or especially to put air quotes around it, as that would be redundant. If in doubt as to its proper usage, the following guide may prove helpful.

Thanks But No Thanks — General Usage Guide

• Drunken frat boy says “Thanks but no thanks” to hot, no-strings sex with supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
• Unemployed community theater thespian says “Thanks but no thanks” to the role of Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit.”
• Salesman flying on $99 Priceline ticket says “Thanks but no thanks” to complimentary First Class upgrade.
• Prom planning committee says “Thanks but no thanks” to free concert by Radiohead.
• Pudgy, acned teen in cargo shorts and Insane Clown Posse t-shirt says “Thanks but no thanks” to cover shoot for Vanity Fair.
• Town wino says “Thanks but no thanks” to position of president and CEO of Pernod Ricard.
• Husband says “Thanks but no thanks” to offer of three way with wife and that cute spin instructor down at the club.
• Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says “Thanks but no thanks” to do-over of South Ossetia war.