Re: Article about Obama

[thedaffodils]

Barack Obama may make it to the Rose Garden, but he’ll still be an orchid. For all his attempts to act like a sturdy American perennial, he’s a genuine hothouse flower, and everything he is and does is cultivated.
He has been trying of late to show off his dad cred — both as a potentially strong dad for the country and as a good dad to his daughters.

Hello! The above quote is from an article about Obama by a colomnist in New York Times. Here are my qeustions:

Q1: What does "it" refer to? His ambition of being a president?

Q2: Why does the columnist say he'll be an orchid? Is orchid a hothouse flower? I think the columnist refers to Obama's inexperience. Right?

Q3: What does "cred" mean? I don't find it in my dictionary.

I wish someone else could give me a hand. Thanks in advance!

[David L.]

'make it' means 'reach the goal you are striving for' - and Rose Garden is a use of metonymy, meaning White House/Presidency. So 'it' is his 'goal' rather than his 'ambition'

Q2: Why does the columnist say he'll be an orchid? Is orchid a hothouse flower? I think the columnist refers to Obama's inexperience. Right?

It's in the next sentence: For all his attempts to act like a sturdy American perennial
Yes, an orchid is a hothouse flower that can't survive the types of weather that other plants can. He is not a seasoned politician who has weathered many a storm in the cut and thrust of political life; and so far, his image has been cultivated to make him attractive to voters. He has yet to prove himself robust.

What does "cred" mean? I can't/didn't find it in my dictionary.
You'll hear/read it as 'This will give me street cred.' 'cred' is just slang shortening of 'credibility'.

[angelg]

• Q1 andf Q2 you have the right answers.
• "Cred" stands for credo (a statement of principles or beliefs, especially one that is professed formally) or credentials.
  (I'm not an English teacher.)

[thedaffodils]

Hi David L.,

Thank you for your good interpretation and some corrections about my words.

I have another related question elicited from your answer above. What is the difference between 'goal' and 'ambition'?

Please read the definiton below from The American Heritage® Dictionary
ambition. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

ambition

NOUN:
1-a. An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
1-b. The object or goal desired: Her ambition is the presidency.
2. Desire for exertion or activity; energy: had no ambition to go dancing.

[RonBee]

A goal is something a person wants to achieve. An ambition is a particular kind of goal, a "big" goal. Example:

His goal is to graduate from college. His ambition is to become an aerospace engineer.

Another example:

Obama's goal is to secure the nomination of the Democratic Party then to win the election in November. His ambition is to become President.

[thedaffodils]

RonBee,

Thank you for your help. Haven't seen you for a couple of days, I am kinda missing you guys. Hope you are doing well.

Cheers!

[Raymott]

• Q1 andf Q2 you have the right answers.
• "Cred" stands for credo (a statement of principles or beliefs, especially one that is professed formally) or credentials.

Really?
Urban Dictionary: cred
confirms "credibility". That's what I'd always imagined.
Can you give an example of where it might mean credo?

[RonBee]

RonBee,

Thank you for your help. Haven't seen you for a couple of days, I am kinda missing you guys. Hope you are doing well.

Cheers!

(July 4)

[thedaffodils]

Uncle Sam, Happy Birthday!
RonBee, have a good day!

[RonBee]

Thanks a bunch!