Pape & Chandler, Mary Whisner at Trial Ad Notes asks a very good
question: “Is it good to be considered a pit bull in the courtroom?”
(Nov. 21, 2005) . Whisner points out that during the 2004 presidential
campaign Ed Gillespie was called “President Bush’s pit bull,” and notes:
“It doesn’t seem that he minds this — or that Republicans as
a whole feel demeaned because the chairman of the Republican
Party has that nickname. It’s ironic, because during the heat of
the presidential campaign, it seemed that “trial lawyer” was used
as an insult, but “pit bull” was a term of respect.
Of course, there is an even more recent example of a lawyer called
a pit bull — Harriet Miers. According to the Washington Post last June:
“When he was governor of Texas, Bush offered a less formal
assessment at an awards ceremony, calling Miers ‘a pit bull
in size 6 shoes.’ The line stuck, in no small part because it
described her cool but dogged determination.”
You may recall that there were a lot of reasons given for Miers’
unsuitability to become an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme
Court, but her pit-bull-like qualities were not one of them. Indeed,
I seem to remember some who complained she was simply not
enough of a pit bull for their taste.
Do you have any examples of “pit bull” being used as a compliment?
p.s. Don’t forget to help us choose a symbol for the Florida
Supreme Court.
November 23, 2005
” pit bull ” as compliment
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Of course, there is an even more recent example of a lawyer called 
p.s. Don’t forget to help us
david i had to send this topical piece
written last july, as my neighbor walked his
pit bull and stopped at the end of our driveway
to chat. / shallow puddle / the pit bull makes quick work / of his reflection / ed
Comment by ed markowski — November 23, 2005 @ 5:06 pm
david i had to send this topical piece
written last july, as my neighbor walked his
pit bull and stopped at the end of our driveway
to chat. / shallow puddle / the pit bull makes quick work / of his reflection / ed
Comment by ed markowski — November 23, 2005 @ 5:06 pm
david i had to send this topical piece
written last july, as my neighbor walked his
pit bull and stopped at the end of our driveway
to chat. / shallow puddle / the pit bull makes quick work / of his reflection / ed
Comment by ed markowski — November 23, 2005 @ 5:06 pm
david i had to send this topical piece
written last july, as my neighbor walked his
pit bull and stopped at the end of our driveway
to chat. / shallow puddle / the pit bull makes quick work / of his reflection / ed
Comment by ed markowski — November 23, 2005 @ 5:06 pm
david,
a revision / shallow puddle / the pit bull
ravages / his reflection / ed
Comment by ed markowski — November 23, 2005 @ 5:46 pm
david,
a revision / shallow puddle / the pit bull
ravages / his reflection / ed
Comment by ed markowski — November 23, 2005 @ 5:46 pm