Foisting phrases

Beware of Absolutes.

True as far as it goes, but it doesn't go very far.

   In California, "Democrats hold every statewide elected office." Thus spake the New York Times in one of its news reports today.
   It's equally true to say that Democrats hold every nationwide elected office.
   The question to keep in mind is this: How many are there?

   In  some states, there are only three positions elected statewide: Governor and two U.S. Senators. If there is a Lieutenant Governor, make the total four. In states with small populations that merit only one delegate to the House of Representatives, that brings the total to a possible five. And if the state attorney general is elected, that makes a possible six.
   How many positions are there in California with officeholders who are elected statewide? (Don't include House delegates, because they are elected in districts within the state, not statewide.) You could look it up, but offhand, most likely there are only four, and if the attorney general is elected (many are appointed, not elected), that would be five.
  Political PR types are fond of foisting phrases that sound more important than they really are, and reporters are lax if they use these phrases without putting them in context. Unless, of course, the reporters are part of the team, which they should not be.

   As for nationwide elected offices, there are only two -- President and Vice President. But in practice, there's only one, since voters choose a pair. Time was, when the Constitution was written, the candidate with the most electoral votes became President, and the runner-up was named Vice President. That was soon changed, however, after the nation wound up with office-holders from different political parties.
   Using the term "every" makes it sound like a big deal. Often, it's not.