PLEASE:Blame bad grammar on Tricky Dick

Expletives create a sort of exception to our normal way of constructing sentences. Some grammar guides describe the expletive's grammatical function as that of a "false subject." That's why, they say, we make our verb agree with the word that follows it — the verb's "complement."

There is a monkey in the White House.

There are some clowns in the Capitol building.

Here is my official resignation.

Here are our plans for impeachment.

The "Oxford English Grammar" calls the expletives in such constructions the "grammatical subjects" as opposed the "notional subjects" — "a monkey," "some clowns," etc.

But don't be too quick to criticize people for constructions such as "There's some people I want you to meet," as I once criticized a less-than-articulate president for doing. (Sorry I can't find the example, but a certain commander-in-chief once used "there's" followed by a plural.)

"There's" in place of "there are" is getting increasingly common. What's more, according to "Oxford," you can get away with it.

"Like other grammatical subjects it often determines number concord, taking a singular verb even though the notional subject is plural. This usage is common in informal speech: 'There was elements of it that were fun.'"

But like all successful political pundits, I'm willing to take a bold, controversial stand on this usage, thereby establishing myself as a voice to be reckoned with: This usage, I hereby proclaim, is icky.

Look out Robert Scheer and George Will, here I come.