Counsil letter: Staircase wit
Selling her new book on TV, I saw Hillary demonstrating what she wished she had said on the debate stage to Mr. Trump when he loomed rudely just behind her. “Back off, creep,” she bellows triumphantly. As powerful as that response to Mr. Trump’s invasion is, it is not graceful. She might be president today had she turned around and smiled at Mr. Trump and politely inquired, “Donald, are you looking at my bum?” Staircase wit, the French call it, when you think of what you wish you had said at the party, as you mount the stairs to bed. Even on the staircase you have not thought of your best retort until you arrive at the one most charming.
Gordon Counsil, Caldwell
This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Counsil letter: Staircase wit."