Scott Johnson of Power Line Blog takes exception to democrat presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand’s use of the English language. He contends that she confused the terms tactical and tactile when discussing nuclear weapons.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is one of the many Democrats who thinks she is fit to occupy the highest office in the land, but she isn’t even fit to hold her seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. She twice called tactical nuclear weapons “tactile” this past Friday during a meet-and-greet in New Hampshire. See Cameron Cawthorne’s Washington Free Beacon report.
I looked up both words. I have provided the definition below. I think that given the context of the remarks, Mr Johnson is being nitpicky.
Definition of tactical
1: of or relating to combat tactics: such as
a(1): of or occurring at the battlefronta tactical defensea tactical first strike
(2): using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefronttactical missilesbof an air force : of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2a: of or relating to tactics: such as
(1): of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose
(2): made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in viewb: adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose, -ˌtī(-ə)l\
Merriam-Webster
Definition of tactile
1: perceptible by touch : TANGIBLE
2: of, relating to, or being the sense of touch
It seems obvious, to me, if somebody drops a tactical nuke in my lap, for one tiny moment it is going to have a tactile effect.
