It's a one-syllable word, Tony, and a common figure of speech

From the Thursday White House Press Briefing, presented without comment because, really, what can you say in answer to Tony Snow's "what does that mean?" What can you say?

Q But, again, Tony, what do you say to those who say this leaves a cloud hanging over the White House, and in particular the Vice President?

MR. SNOW: How?

Q It's their words. I'm just --

MR. SNOW: I know, but it's -- see, the use of terms like "cloud" -- because this has come up before -- is, what does that mean? There's an attempt to impugn ability, or -- this White House takes very seriously its obligations to the American people. And you've got a President who has made it clear after the elections that he is going to be aggressive and he is going to be bold in dealing with the problems that the American people face.