Formerly perfect being admits: “I screwed up”
posted at 7:10 pm on February 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
From this afternoon’s sitdown with Anderson Cooper, one of five interviews scheduled to talk about the stimulus that ended up getting sidetracked by Daschlepalooza. That’s a mistake on top of a mistake: They should have dumped him and Killefer last week, let the media go nuts over the weekend, then gotten back on message today.
Quoth The One: “I don’t want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards, one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes.” Hello?
Blowback
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I don’t know about the person you quoted, but I never thought Obama’s rhetoric was all that inspiring or eloquent to begin with.
I think there are a couple of things at work: firstly, Obama so far just isn’t living up to the hype ignited by his adoring sycophants in the MSM.
Secondly, this is what happens when a relatively clueless leftist tries to start governing a country that is by no means leftist.
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I have a serious question for Allah,
After having railed against Palin’s abilities, and promoted BHO’s alleged intelligence, do you really think that if Sarah Palin had been President (not VP, but President) instead of BHO that she would have done a worse job than the moron sitting in the office, now? Think about it. Think about the people she would have put forward as nominees. Think of the bills she would have supported in Congress. Think of the way she would not have bent over backwards for every America-hater in the world.
Do you still stand by your original idea that Palin was not prepared to handle the Presidency but BHO was?
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Perfect.
Hence his daily sit downs with the network lapdogs….
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 10:26 PM
In fairness and in honesty I would have to say that Sarah Palin would make her share of missteps as well. But expectations would be lower, given then savage treatment the media unleashed on her.
Sarah Palin would have to rely on, let’s face it, Republican hacks the way Obama is currently having to rely on Democrat hacks. I just think Republican hacks are more competent. I also think that when it gets down to the nitty gritty, Sarah Palin has better political instincts than Obama does. Tin ear is something that afflicts most Democrat pols, and I don’t think Palin has that affliction.
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Everybody makes missteps. But BHO is well beyond missteps. We’re talking about outrageously stupid errors, here (aside from the other problems that are not due to errors, but to BHO’s weird, un-American way of thinking). Palin runs a state and knows what the responsibilities of the Executive are. BHO has not a clue.
I agree. I was just trying to point out the obvious fact (now that we have seen the idiot messiah in action) that Palin was tons more competent and capable than BHO. Many of us knew this all along, but I just wanted to see if those who had doubted it before were willing to admit it, now. It is impossible to ignore, at this point.
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 10:38 PM
One amoung how many?
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 10:39 PM
among
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Not quite. He admitted the mistake (in street-language, but an admission nonetheless). But where is the accountability? How did the idiot messiah hold himself accountable for his incredibly stupid “mistake”? When he resigns for his stupidity, then he will have held himself accountable and fulfill his campaign promise.
Without accountability, the admission means nothing.
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 10:43 PM
You are correct. After all, he only had two and a half years experience.
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 10:44 PM
It is really getting to you, eh?
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Yeah, as has been pointed out, he stood behind Daschle just a while ago. Obama didn’t admit the mistake, the NYT did. Obama’s being a media echo chamber.
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 10:48 PM
With hamas or Iran?
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Good point.
LOL.
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Would she? After the bad advice she recieved and the course the McCain advisors set her on, do you really think she would rely on “established” advisors? I really don’t know. I just know she won the Governor’s seat fighting her own party, she has the best approval rating for Governor’s in the nation, and she issue’s budget surplus checks to tax payers in her electorate.
Who else has done that? Yes, she was a good soldier, she joined a team and did what the team advisors said she should do. Only after months of cries of “Cut Sarah loose” did we get a glimpse of Governor Palin, but too little too late as has been proven.
I’m ready to see what the Sarah Palin platform is, and look forward to it. Don’t judge her too harshly from what happened during the campaign, because if you do, you have to believe Obama is not qualified to be President, as pointed out by his current Vice President Joe “any foot can fit in my mouth” Biden.
Hog Wild on February 3, 2009 at 10:58 PM
It must be exhausting to maintain your worldview.
crr6 on February 3, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Are you ready for more Barney Frank central planning intrusion? http://www.financialweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090203/REG/902039977/1003/TOC
onlineanalyst on February 3, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Trending downward.
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Actually, Barry my lad, there are three sets of standards: (1) the governing elite who either don’t pay their taxes or cough up the funds when the light of day shines on them, (2) those “ordinary folks” who are working every day and paying their tribute, and (3) the ones on government dole who pay no taxes but have insatiable appetites for the goodies that the hardworking provide.
onlineanalyst on February 3, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Of course the President is human. But he has also been elected as the leader of the free world, and it is so important that he project an image of strength to the world. Not bullying strength, but strength as in he knows what he is doing and can inspire confidence in people. Going in front of the world and saying, “I screwed up,” (especially when the most of the world is in a financial crisis, knows his lack of experience and is watching his every move) is NOT inspiring confidence and is NOT “Presidential” –which was a word the left used all the friggin time to describe this guy: “He’s soooo Presidential!” Well now he better start acting like it, that’s all. I’m sure he farts too, but I don’t want him to lean over in his chair and crack one off, either.
The veneer of confidence is all he has right now while he learns the ropes. There were better ways he could have handled this, and the stakes are too high for any more bumbling around.
Boudica on February 3, 2009 at 11:42 PM
The “mistake” he admitted to was not dumping Daschle until the spit hit the spam.
But that’s not the real mistake. His real mistake, which he’ll never own up to, is having picked Daschle in the first place, particularly knowing ahead of time about Daschle’s tax evasion. Oh, and than standing behind him despite his criminality.
BHO’s just your average two-bit punk. Please don’t expect too much of him.
seanrobins on February 3, 2009 at 11:48 PM
I see the resident nitwit liberals are really scrambling tonight. Crrvix and DeathtoLiberalHacks, let’s make this easier on everyone: how about a show of hands from any Democrat politicians that actually pay their taxes? Raise ‘em up high.
Bing – winner on my scorecard!
Isn’t this the heart of it? All of these liberal Republicans who mess their pants over Obama talking about Niebuhr, when the real issues for Presidential mettle are common sense, character, values, clarity, nerve – none of which does this asshole demonstrate in any discernable way.
Instead he has lied repeatedly, before and after election; he has no discernable philosophy and no core beliefs; he flips flops from day to day; and he has no experience in government, outside of the corrupt nest of vipers that is Chicago politics.
And yet, otherwise intelligent people think that he belongs there. Amazing.
Jaibones on February 3, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Obama is human and makes mistakes? Really? This is a revelation! I thought as President you had to be Pope-like and that you were infallible.
You should know where all the WMDs are. If you go to war, it better be over in a couple of weeks with no civilian casualties.
Every person you surround yourself with had better be clean and articulate and they better be without sin by gosh!
You should know when natural disasters are going to strike and you better have it cleaned up within the week and everyone either moved back home or given a new one.
I am really disappointed. I thought that Obama would be different.
Vince on February 4, 2009 at 12:01 AM
DeathToMediaHacks
At the risk of being pedantic, might I ask you to learn how to spell “hypocrisy”? I know it’s not a typo because you use the word occasionally in your various posts and you misspell it every single time. Yeah, I know it’s a cheap shot, but you seem to think you’re a super genius or something.
Obama is turning into President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho.
shazbat on February 4, 2009 at 12:09 AM
After giving Pelosi an “atta girl” for the porkopulous bill, BO and MO headed off to a Washington public school to read My Pet Stoat to the kiddies and to learn how those not fortunate enough to attend their daughters’ school are educated.
IrishEl: That link re Obama’s replacement of “Hail to the Chief” really frosts my fannie. That information should go viral.
Is it too soon to use the hook on this idiot administration? Adulthood and judgment seem to be in short supply there.
onlineanalyst on February 4, 2009 at 12:33 AM
I won.
I am cool.
I screwed up.
I am taking a pool that Obama is going raise his hands and say this job is beyond his abilities in a month.
promachus on February 4, 2009 at 12:34 AM
A nice photo of Obama and Michelle reading ‘The Moon Over Star’ to the second graders.
INC on February 4, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Nobody could afford to pay for the bandwidth.
onlineanalyst on February 4, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Getting rid of “Hail to the Chief” really burns me up as well.
At Ace there’s a great post about this:
Obama’s White House…It’s Like Jimmy Carter (Without The Sweaters)
INC on February 4, 2009 at 12:50 AM
That quote about Carter is from a PBS bio.
INC on February 4, 2009 at 12:52 AM
This reminds me of when Obama was campaigning and somebody asked him a question about a nuclear waste site (or something like that) and he didn’t know anything about the site. So, he used his own ignorance as an opportunity for self-congratulation by saying something like “I’m gonna tell you something politicians rarely tell people: I’m not familiar with this issue.” So, instead of looking like an ill-informed dope he turns it into a story about how courageous he is for admitting he was an ill-informed dope.
Same thing here. He picked Daschle, had him vetted, and just yesterday said he was sticking with him. Then, only when the political pressure becomes too great, he cuts him loose and then turns it into an opportunity to congratulate himself on how he doesn’t “want to have two sets of standards, blah, blah, blah” (I guess he already forgot about Geithner). And he turns it into a story about how “courageous” he is because he admits mistakes.
Try this mental experiment. Replace the name Obama with Bush in any number of stories over the past two weeks (Tax cheater cabinet appointees, stimulus porkfest, “I won”, trying to walk through a window, etc) and just imagine how the media would have framed the stories. My guess is you would have seen words such as “cronyism”, “culture of corruption”, “special interest paybacks”, “arrogant”, “tone-deaf”, etc., etc.,etc.
JohnInCA on February 4, 2009 at 1:13 AM
I agree there are double standards, at least as far as media prototyping is concerned. However, it is refreshing to hear “I screwed up” from someone in charge. In general, I think it is easier for people to respond to the challenges if the leader admits to screwing up for obvious follies. I work for a company whose management has screwed up in ways big and small (mainly big), but whose CEO’s inability to say “I screwed up” has earned him much more dissent than support. Makes you wonder about the power of those three words, I guess.
peter_griffin on February 4, 2009 at 1:55 AM
I have to strongly disagree, here. Aside from the actual language (“screwed up”, which no President should ever use) I don’t get why anyone needs to hear admissions of mistakes when we all know that they were mistakes (as you said with “obvious follies”). I see nothing of interest in hearing someone admit to something that everyone knows. What I do want to see is a change for the better. That change requires no admission of any sort, but merely action.
We all know the numerous mistakes that the idiot messiah has made, and frankly, there aren’t enough hours in the day to sit and listen to him admit to every one. Forget the admissions. I don’t care about words. Act and act correctly.
I’m at a loss for this interest in hearing admissions. As I posted above, if one wants to be held accountable for his mistakes, then this is one reason for the admission to take place, but if the action of accountability doesn’t follow (and nothing like accountability has followed the Precedent’s street-language admission) then I could not care less about what he says. If he wanted to admit the mistake and resign, fine. If he has some other sort of substantial penalty for himself, then do that. But to say you’re sorry, without any sort of atonement for the sin (and playing stupid with cabinet appointees, at a time like this, is certainly a sin in my book), is worthless. Even less than worthless, it’s a sham.
progressoverpeace on February 4, 2009 at 2:10 AM
I agree that it is nice to hear politicians (or anyone for that matter) admit mistakes and take responsibility. I think part of my issue is that Obama only does that when he is backed into a corner and the political pressure is overwhelming.
As recently as yesterday he said he was sticking with Daschle. So, what happened in the last 24 hours to make him now see this as a mistake? Maybe the New York Times calling for Daschle’s withdrawal and several senators today saying they would have reservations about voting for him.
I think I would have more respect for Obama’s admission of a mistake if he had done it when Daschle’s tax problems first came to light several days ago. Obama thought he could slip another appointee through with little trouble and if there hadn’t been a public outcry (from many of his own supporters) I don’t think Obama ever would have considered appointing Daschle a mistake. He certainly didn’t (and still doesn’t) consider Geithner a mistake.
It’s kind of like the Reverend Wright issue. At first he split hairs, defended Wright, lectured us all about race and claimed that he wouldn’t disown Wright. When it didn’t blow over like he thought it would he then disowned Wright about six weeks later. Why didn’t he do that when the videos of Wright first hit the news, or better yet, any time in the previous 20 years? My point is that it is not real courageous to do something when you first avoid doing it because you think you can get away with it. And then, only when you realize you have no more moves to make do you find the courage to admit your mistakes.
JohnInCA on February 4, 2009 at 2:43 AM
One more point about the apology game. One of the reasons Bush never played this game is that the media wasn’t interested in Bush admitting his mistakes and taking responsibility. They wanted apologies and admissions of mistakes from Bush so that they could use them as a club to bludgeon him with. “You see, Mr. President, even you admit that you are incompetent”. I’m sure Bush knew he made mistakes, but he couldn’t afford to give the press that particular rope to hang him with (of course, they found many others).
Obama, of course, knows that he will not be bludgeoned with his own admission of mistakes (some might say incompetence). In fact, he knows he will be lionized for it. Admission of mistakes is a no-lose situation for Obama, whereas for Bush it was a no-win situation.
JohnInCA on February 4, 2009 at 3:01 AM
Sounds like a Phelps apology to me. Two in one week. How coincidental.
misslizzi on February 4, 2009 at 4:28 AM
And why not throw Rangle out if he’s really worried about sending the wrong message to about us taxpayers?
elifino on February 4, 2009 at 4:45 AM
And why not throw Rangle out if he’s really worried about sending the wrong message to
aboutus taxpayers?elifino on February 4, 2009 at 4:46 AM
Instead he has lied repeatedly, before and after election; he has no discernable philosophy and no core beliefs; he flips flops from day to day; and he has no experience in government, outside of the corrupt nest of vipers that is Chicago politics.
And yet, otherwise intelligent people think that he belongs there. Amazing.
Jaibones
I disagree only in your contention that Obama has no core beliefs. He most certainly has core beliefs, and he’s terrified that we may find out what they are. Everything about him is veiled in lies, supported by the MSM. The serious betting is on how long that veil will stand.
SKYFOX on February 4, 2009 at 5:56 AM
“Judgment to lead.”
AZCoyote on February 4, 2009 at 7:18 AM
The President isn’t a God appointed Deity-King. He’s a human and therefore he also makes mistakes.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Who is this clown? Is Axelrod paying him overtime to torture HA, all day, everyday?
anniekc on February 4, 2009 at 8:10 AM
He made a mistake. Swoon. He admitted it. Now they love him even more. Even in admitting a huge mistake he can do no wrong.
sheesh on February 4, 2009 at 8:26 AM
I screwed up. < I made an error in judgement.
I like my presidents to be, well, presidential in their speech. Why should my standards for the President be any lower than the standards for my own children? Appropriate language for the situation, please.
Anna on February 4, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Didn’t Judd Gregg play a similar game that got Blago impeached over?
I think he screwed up with Judd too.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 10:37 AM
And 64% of American’s don’t care…
If they did, we would not have The Messiah in the first place…
Mark Garnett on February 4, 2009 at 11:17 AM
He screwed up and then he and Michelle fled from the White House!
On a tough day, Obama escapes for a while
Remember…President Bush was castigated for reading to school children on 9/11/01…
Brat on February 4, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I don’t think he made a mistake. I think he tried to pull a fast one. He probably knew about the tax problem and thought no one would challenge his pick, just like they didn’t with some others. If he truly cared about sending the right message to Americans then why is Geitner still around? What about the lobbyists he appointed? I was willing to give the guy a chance but he’s been a real disappointment so far.
scalleywag on February 4, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Of course the obvious questions never got asked:
- When did it occur to you that you screwed up?
- Why did you “absolutely” stand by Daschle after he admitted the tax evasion?
More of that reportage on their knees.
drjohn on February 4, 2009 at 11:39 AM
When the going gets tough, the Obama’s get going!
drjohn on February 4, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I think Fiddler on the Roof addressed this situation:
“Rabbi, is there a prayer for the idiot messiah?”
“Of course there is. There’s a prayer for everything. Lord, bless and keep the idiot messiah … far away from us.”
Well, we can pray, at least.
progressoverpeace on February 4, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Ahhh. He has spoken.
I’m sorry-now let’s move on & “Change” things.
When people say they are ‘sorry’ about something, they do different things from then on.
Politicians say they are ‘sorry’ when they have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar & when you turn around they are right back in it again.
Obama is no different here.
The foolish are being fooled.
I am not fooled.
You are judged by the company you keep Obama.
Friends who are frauds, tax-cheats, liars etc.-that is who you are.
I have had only six true friends in this world-2 are dead. That leaves 4.
My funeral may not be big, but at least it will be attended by people who were GOOD people.
Obama-another tool.
Badger40 on February 4, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I really hope Billy Ocean doesn’t ressurrect(sp?!) that ’80′s song with a new twist!
Badger40 on February 4, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Geitner was formerly an orc working for Saruman before he went thru extensive DNA therapy.
On the plus side, Barry admits he is human. That’s a relief.
Christine on February 4, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I agree with majority here that Obama is not acting presidential. I do not let my children say “I screwed up”, so I really am offended that this man who supposedly so eloquent uses that type of language. Hey it’s ok for everyday life, but NOT for the leader of my country, I expect more from him!
I also think that the point made about political expediency is spot on. Obama only acknowledges and changes tack when it negatively affects HIM. It is all about him, not this country, sad to say.
And I really REALLY hope that Billy Ocean song doesn’t surface! Once was enough!
catlady on February 4, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I don’t think that the DNA therapy quite worked.
catlady on February 4, 2009 at 12:17 PM
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Whiskey! Tango! Foxtrot!
silenced majority on February 4, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Slightly off topic: Has anyone else read that story (in red font) on Drudge about the Indians telling the Alleged Hawaiian to, erm, shove it? What’s all that about chickens and monkeys? Could anyone else get away with using that word or that metaphor, however elliptically, anywhere within a 100-mile radius of Obama? It’s all part of the lack of respect he induces in our friends and enemies of course.
Fortunata on February 4, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Dangit! I thought he was trying to send us a message that it’s ok not to pay taxes.
Kevin M on February 4, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Given the expectation level, Obama could have personally cured cancer on his first day in office and still he would have been a disappointment.
That said, this looks like amateur hour, and the best evidence for it is that fact that the MSM is starting to turn on him just two weeks into his term. Both CBS and our local left-leaning paper (the STL Post-Dispatch) ran stories about how awful the “stimulus bill” is, the latter via the AP. This is collapsing must faster than I expected.
Abelard on February 5, 2009 at 3:09 AM
This is what America voted for.
DannoJyd on February 5, 2009 at 7:01 AM
Any bets on how many more times we will be hearing this from President Obama and the entire Administration when they find out that their proposed policy or ideas are not inline with the majority of U.S.
Clinton made this a national slogan for the Demoncratic Party – simply say, I am sorry, so sorry or I just made a little mistake, Obama’s version, I hope this change of heart makes it better?
MSGTAS on February 5, 2009 at 9:55 AM
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