Announcing the Obamateurism of the Day feature!
posted at 11:30 am on March 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Since Slate seems to have conceded the field and decided to remain locked in the past, I’ll fill the gap here at Hot Air. As often as we have material, I’ll post an Obamateurism of the Day right here at Hot Air. If you see a foul-up by Barack Obama, e-mail it to me at obamaisms@edmorrissey.com with the quote and the link to the Obamaism. I have the separate account ready now, and I’ll post the funniest and most embarrassing rhetorical stumbles by The One over the next four years. Unlike Jacob Weisberg, though, I’ll give it up once Obama leaves office.
This week has certainly given us plenty of material, but I’ve already linked the AIG-is-a-suicide-bomber and the Special Olympics gaffes that Weisberg is trying mightily not to spot. Instead, here’s a different kind of stumble, from Politico, demonstrating that the White House can’t quite figure out who represents what district in California:
Obama did the town hall, making the usual introductions: “We have Hilda Solis,” applause! and “The lieutenant governor,” applause! He added: “Got an outstanding member of Congress, Rep. Loretta Sanchez,” applause!
“Now, this is not Loretta’s district; this is actually Dana Rohrabacher’s district.” Boos come from the Dem crowd. “No, no, no, we actually — our office screwed up, and I think didn’t get the invitation to him on time, so he’s not here. That was a screw-up on our part. So I want to let him know we’re sorry about that, and I want everybody to give him a big round of applause; it’s his district.”
Update: Actually, I like the title Obamateurism of the Day. It gives a little more leeway on the range of material, and it flows better than Obamaisms, which sounds a little clumsy when spoken aloud. I’ve changed the title of the post to reflect the new title. I’m keeping the e-mail addy the same, though, and it will be posted on each entry. Also, include your blog link on any submissions and I’ll credit you with a link.
I also liked Malabarackisms, but that limits us to just malaprops.
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Can’t I Just Finish My Waffle has video.
http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2009/03/21/obamas-town-hall-meeting-or-revival-meeting/
Dr Evil on March 21, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Stand up, Chuck!
Teleprompter Withdrawal. It’s a horrible disease.
kingsjester on March 21, 2009 at 11:35 AM
It will be hard to narrow it down to one a day.
Disturb the Universe on March 21, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Gonna be a full time job, Ed. You guys will need a larger staff. Shame you can’t also include Slow Joe’s contributions.
a capella on March 21, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Is the ballerina the teleprompter?
Christian Conservative on March 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Ready at day WON.
the_nile on March 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
He simply forgot to ask Rohrbacher, the one Republican in the group?
Yeah, right, “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
PattyJ on March 21, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Great idea!!
becki51758 on March 21, 2009 at 11:40 AM
These quotes still aren’t as good as the “You know-you-know-you know- the buck stops here!……..but….but…….. I inherited this mess.”
Marcus on March 21, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Maybe Obama needs to establish a special Apology Unit.
Oh wait, he can’t even staff the Treasury.
Disturb the Universe on March 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Yeah, he forgot like he forgot to check which format those dvds were prior to giving them to Gordon Brown. If his head wasn’t permanently attached to his neck, he’d forget that thing to. It’s not like the staff couldn’t feed it to him via some electronic gizmo located in his chest anyway. However , he might look a bit awkward without his head on.
larvcom on March 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Perhaps apology czar.
larvcom on March 21, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Goody, this is going to be FUN!!!
redfoxbluestate on March 21, 2009 at 11:46 AM
http://www.americanpatrol.com/RECONQUISTA/NUNEZ-FABIAN/UnionCdGreenCd000800Nunez.html
RealDemocrat on March 21, 2009 at 11:47 AM
larvcom on March 21, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Good one. :)
Disturb the Universe on March 21, 2009 at 11:47 AM
you realize that by doing this, you will be hurting TOTUS, and possibly cause him to be replaced by a newer prompter… Poor TOTUS… i was just starting to get into his blog..
NavyDavy on March 21, 2009 at 11:48 AM
This might be impossible, but Gibbs deserves to be ridiculed as well. I think he’s pathetic.
The problem is that his weakness isn’t reflected so much in what he says as it is in his stammering, his endless pauses, his body language, and–most of all–the way he avoids eye contact and looks down at the lectern. Watch for this the next time you see his clips. He doesn’t appear to be looking at any notes. His head stays up, but his eyes goes down to the lectern. It’s his tell. You know he’s in a jam the minute the eyes go down and he’s searching for his words.
BuckeyeSam on March 21, 2009 at 11:48 AM
If I may make a suggestion — Obamaism doesn’t really work as a word. Surely a feature that pokes fun at his verbal gaffes can come up with a better banner.
I like “Obamateur Hour”.
Southpaw on March 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Like my momma use to say…”If he had another brain in his head, it’d rattle ’round like a b-b in a boxcar!”
Proudvet on March 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Shouldnt this be the daily Biden ?
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
God I love the sound of that…
Great idea Ed. I think this will drive HA into a kind of nuclear global recognition meltdown!
katy on March 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Yep, “most intelligent, most efficient administration, evah”!
What Obama meant to say was, “We didn’t invite Rohrabacher, after all, I won.” The O’bots still would have cheered.
Wonder if they’ll be cheering next year, when Kalifornia’s unemployment rate is over 12%?
GarandFan on March 21, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Guarenteed job security for yourself Mr.Morrissey.
canditaylor68 on March 21, 2009 at 11:50 AM
His giggling gets on my nerves too.
becki51758 on March 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Ed, when you officially start it up, don’t forget to e-mail Jacob Weisberg the Obamaism of the Day, so he can priggishly write back or post on Slate something about this being a childish coypcat of his masterstroke of witticism, and, of course, not the least bit funny (and if he gets really huffy, maybe he’ll toss a race card or two your way).
jon1979 on March 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM
As much as I’m looking forward to these daily quips, I hope the feature runs less than 18 months!
mike in NV on March 21, 2009 at 11:54 AM
barack goes “Klingon” on Michelle
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Ed
Could you consolidate this in calendar format as a permanent, updated feature on the front page so that all of us can more easily see the chronology of the gaffs?
DrStock on March 21, 2009 at 11:55 AM
fxt
the_nile on March 21, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Barack Obama “the Model T gets better gas Mileage than today’s SUVs
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Many of us will be looking forward to an Obama early exit.
Isn’t the direct knowledge, and approval of a Treasury theft to the tune of trillions considered an impeachable offense?
START THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS NOW!
Rovin on March 21, 2009 at 11:59 AM
This is a great idea! the Obamateur Hour is a good name.
kelley in virginia on March 21, 2009 at 11:59 AM
The Department of Gaffes and General Rudeness but to be consistant he would need someone really abrasive to be the Apology Czar. Is Don Rickles still alive?
petunia on March 21, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Thanks, Ed, for this humor (and many thanks to the posters who keep me going).
kelley in virginia on March 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I second the calls for a Bidenism feature at HA. Perhaps call it “Nobody Messes With Joe?”
Christien on March 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Instead of: Obamaism
How about: Malabarackism
Saw this on the original thread about the douchebag from Slate:
A Balrog of Morgoth on March 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
FIFY
The Monster on March 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
We are screwed
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
HA will be the link of choice for all comedians, radio hosts and general talking heads from now on.
You better up the bandwidth quick.
katy on March 21, 2009 at 12:04 PM
No, TOTUS is safe. His understudy, the POTUS, usually stumbles and gaffes only when The Ballerina or Mrs. Doubtfire temporarily sequester TOTUS or temporarily disable him. (See, e.g., the Leno debacle)
TXUS on March 21, 2009 at 12:07 PM
We are going to need the laughs……..
Seven Percent Solution on March 21, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Headline at Yahoo News:
With photos of Bush and Palin, of course.
The MSM rushes to their dear leader’s defense.
Disturb the Universe on March 21, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Do those of you who think Obama’s administration will be short… why? I think this is wishful thinking. We are stuck with Obama for FOUR FREAKIN YEARS!!!! And even if he was impeached that would leave us with Joe Biden!!!!
That pick is actually looking smarter these days because Biden couldn’t even get 3% of Democrats to vote for him in the Primary. Nobody wants Joe Biden as President. And then if Obama was impeached before the Republicans take back the house… And Biden was committed to the mental institution, Next in line is Nancy. Oh Please.
Just vote some Republicans into office. Enough that they stop Obama from doing anymore damage. Obama could be contained if he had a hostile legislature.
Then during the first two years of the next President’s term we can try to encourage capitalism in America again.
And rebuilt our military strength… And try to get back our world wide reputation for Liberty…
That will actually be a nice few years.
petunia on March 21, 2009 at 12:11 PM
he needs to get better at excluding himself from mistakes…
this is far too obvious…
alexraye on March 21, 2009 at 12:11 PM
You are limiting this to one a day? That is going to leave so many out.
Buford on March 21, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Can’t I Just Finish My Waffle has video.
http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2009/03/21/obamas-town-hall-meeting-or-revival-meeting/
Dr Evil on March 21, 2009 at 11:34 AM
——–
There’s a precious quote from that video: “I didn’t run for President so that I could pass down our problems to the next generation.” Oh, yes you did, Obamalama!
EMD on March 21, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Note the name change to Obamateurism of the Day.
Ed Morrissey on March 21, 2009 at 12:13 PM
And TOTUS, too?
exhelodrvr on March 21, 2009 at 12:16 PM
In contention
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 12:17 PM
RoastBeefers…
RealDemocrat on March 21, 2009 at 12:18 PM
The “Hey! I have a bracelet, too!!” fiasco during the debates.
SouthernGent on March 21, 2009 at 12:18 PM
From earlier this week, as he was leaving on his chopper, he did a short presser with his crack economic of Geithner, Summers, and what’s-her-name. Didn’t he give Geithner a ringing endorsement of “Tim’s on the case.”
Days later we learn Geithner’s been lying about what he knew about the AIG bonuses and when he knew it.
That bolstered my confidence. Kind of like when Obama told Biden would be monitoring state spending of stimulus money.
What could go wrong?
Returning to Obama and the crack economic team on the WH lawn, I could help thinking that Obama and the other three looked like the shallow cool guy who’d been elected student body president along with his three subordinates who took positions no one else wanted and they’re having trouble planning for the spring prom.
BuckeyeSam on March 21, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I’m impressed that you’ve committed to doing this only on Obama – without including Biden. That’s like trying to make fun of Ted Kennedy without bringing up alcohol or Kopechne – there is still plenty of material but you’ve cutout the really obvious and easy stuff. Very commendable.
gash on March 21, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Not. Enough. Bandwith.
Knucklehead on March 21, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Too awkward but, in reality, it is Obamainmatureisms.
The typical story of a terrorist-loving racist socialist who goes to the city with just a dream and a teleprompter and ends up running the nation (into the ground). Even now the liberal establishment at ABC are looking to make this into a series of Disney Movies to replace the HSM franchise.
highhopes on March 21, 2009 at 12:26 PM
You mean you’re going to spend the next four years mocking and looking for embarrassing gaffes from the man elected to the highest office in the land???
Go for it, man.
whitetop on March 21, 2009 at 12:27 PM
hey, gash. don’t talk trash about splash.
kelley in virginia on March 21, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Er, no, that’s not it. That Star Trek belt makes TOTUS nervous.
pearson on March 21, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I saved a contact in my email account for Obamaisms.
Will Obamaisms include embarrassing position shifts, unintended insults, faux humility, ignorant statements (with and without teleprompter), logical contradictions, and people-thrown-under-the-bus?
Right_of_Attila on March 21, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Its because bambi knows she is really a Klingon!
kelley in virginia on March 21, 2009 at 12:29 PM
The Gong Show, writ large, exposed, and loud.
Ring that gong, Ed!
We should have a photoshop of the gong show stage with your on the person and the gong behind you.
beatcanvas on March 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
How about ‘BarryBlubs’?
Ok…i’ll go away now.
Limerick on March 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
http://www.svherald.com/articles/2009/03/18/news/doc49c179f330b08032571381.txt
RealDemocrat on March 21, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Great idea! Although you’re getting closer to being on the One’s enemies list….
I pray there’s not a tax audit in your future!
tru2tx on March 21, 2009 at 12:34 PM
When I read this title on the main page, I hoped it was a joke. The Bushism of the Day was an immature idea that diminished Slate… How is this any different? “But Mommy, I only called him a poopy-head because he called me a bogger-eater first!”
Wasting time playing gotcha with Obama gaffes diminishes our side, and, on a practical level, clutters up the public awareness and diminishes attention for actual mistakes that matter. It’s not like there aren’t enough substantive issues to point out.
Let’s not become what we mocked the Democrats for being for eight years. I’m a conservative because it’s the ideology of adults. Let’s act like it.
DavidV on March 21, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Like this, but with Ed’s face:
http://archive.salon.com/people/bc/2001/03/06/chuck_barris/story.jpg
beatcanvas on March 21, 2009 at 12:37 PM
You mean like the democrats did for the last 8 years ?
Wah Wah Wah
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 12:38 PM
OTE! (One Term’s Enough!)
strosfan on March 21, 2009 at 12:41 PM
DavidV: you are right, of course, but when Ed posts the Obamateurism of the day, we’ll respond with funny, snarky, imaginative comments which are funny. we need the humor.
kelley in virginia on March 21, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Every party has pooper
That’s we invited you
Party pooper, party pooper
Everybody sing along!
Knucklehead on March 21, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Barackabowl
William Amos on March 21, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Is it too late for the Obamalympics?
EMD on March 21, 2009 at 12:52 PM
It is but one part over an overall strategy. Bring the uber-cool president down to size so that he we can fight him on ideas and policies.
myrenovations on March 21, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Is PeBO the first president to use the words “screwed up”? It certainly doesn’t sound presidential. Hey Barry, we don’t need another buddy, we want a leader. Present yourself like one and act like one.
Mallard T. Drake on March 21, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Hey Ed:
I hope you plan to have a dedicated repository for the Obamateurisms where we can see them all together, rather than letting them stay intermingled in the archives with the other stories.
Thanks for the effort. Great idea.
Mallard T. Drake on March 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM
*sigh*
I really want to see healthcare reform in this country. I’m afraid pointing out how incompetent the staff can be, even when we all know that that this stuff is what politicians truly focus upon, will derail that momentum.
I’m not sure I approve of focusing on faux pas.
AnninCA on March 21, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Yeah, I want to sent a link to my bro-in law who got me viewing this site. He really liked the TOTUS blog.
catlady on March 21, 2009 at 1:03 PM
This only works if the Main Stream Media plays it over and over. It is not an Internet thing. Get ABC, NBC and CBS to repeat it over and over it works, other than that all efforts to collect these gaffs will only be footnotes in the loser’s playbook.
rsl775 on March 21, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Who has to look? Obambi keeps providing them on a silver platter so big that even the drive-by media can’t ignore them (no matter how much they want to).
rmgraha on March 21, 2009 at 1:13 PM
DavidV on March 21, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Humor can defuse the messiah effect that Obama holds over half of the country. I don’t believe Obama’s supporters see him as a man who makes mistakes. (There were a few Bush people I thought a little over the top in support too.)
Pointing out Obama’s humaness is an important part of deprograming his followers. If enough people had mocked Hitler that may have lessoned his power over people’s hearts and minds.
I think it would be a huge mistake to ignore the basic idiocy of worshipping any politican. Political humour is important for a democracy. Without it we are in danger of becomming a Theocracy.
It is not childish or blasphemous to mock Obama. He should be mocked and often.
petunia on March 21, 2009 at 1:19 PM
It’s Obamateur hour every day at HA.
Good’onya Ed.
BKennedy on March 21, 2009 at 1:23 PM
If Obama came up with a truly good idea concerning Health Care or anything else the idea would survive the mocking.
But honestly, after seeing how he has single handedly destroyed the confidence of the businesses in the future stability of the country. Do you really hold out hope that Obama will be the source of anything good happening? For one thing the tax base is going to shrink with the ideas he has put forth so far. There is going to be no money for Health Care or anything else.
I supose it is possible that someone in his administration has a brain cell but nobody has shown it yet. And Obama is so ADD that he will never be able to bring anything but chaos to Health Care.
Obama does not have the talent to fix anything. He only destroys.
petunia on March 21, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Well now you’re just being juvenile Ed – not to mention unpatriotic. We’ve got more serious issues to deal with, like the war on terror, er I mean the economy. We can’t sit around frothing at the mouth and bashing President Bush, er I mean Obama. People will acuse us of having Bush, er I mean Obama Derangement Syndrome. Next you’ll be calling Dick Cheney, er I mean Joe Biden an evil puppetmaster.
Halliburton! Er, I mean Annenburg!
Mr_Magoo on March 21, 2009 at 1:32 PM
OTE – one term is enough…
One term is 4 years too many. This dude is more destructive than anything we’ve had in the U.S. His destruction will be global, as the beacon is gone, and it might be irreversible.
Entelechy on March 21, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Ed, this is a great effort, as this all needs to be exposed.
It’s only sad that we can’t and shouldn’t laugh – it’s at the cost of our beloved lady, the U.S.A., and the world.
Keemo is always a good read at HA. Internalize this, all of us!!!
Entelechy on March 21, 2009 at 1:36 PM
The disconnect between President Obamateur’s self confidence and competence is breathtaking.
He is governing exactly as I would have expected (and predicted) from someone not wise enough to understand the devastating consequences that would have ensued if we had done what he advocated: conceding Iraq to al Qaeda and Iran.
It was a harbinger of all that’s followed… and is yet to come.
Obamateur is a 47 year old with the mentality of a college freshman.
Basilsbest on March 21, 2009 at 1:37 PM
What about RazzBarries?
exhelodrvr on March 21, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Obamature Hour
ballz2wallz on March 21, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The Trillion Dollar Man we can Rebuild him we have the technology, better then he was before, stronger, faster then he was before……fade to that weird million dollar man music.
Dr Evil on March 21, 2009 at 2:04 PM
OK….my opinion is that Obama clearly inherited the crash. So no, he’s so not responsible.
What was weird to me, even in the election, was how he refused to give up his own agenda, although clearly the playing ground had changed.
And what’s really odd is watching him push out excessive spending bills in the midst of this melt-down.
But whatever….I think I’m one who thinks, Who Cares?
We’re devastated, anyway you push the pencil!
Let him run up trillions.
Like it matters at this stage?
We’re toast.
AnninCA on March 21, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I fully expect Obama to make it through the entire 4 years. My fear is that TOTUS will challenge him in the Democratic primaries and thwart his re-election bid, thus setting up a tough contest between TOTUS and the Republican nominee.
Red State State of Mind on March 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Perfect!
This is going to be too much fun! Will Michelle’s gaffes eligible too?
BTW, I prefer Obamaoisms to Obamisms. It flows better and describes his authoritarian, bottom up approach.
Buy Danish on March 21, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Great idea Ed.
Party poopers are to be expected, trifled with, and then ignored.
Expect a plethora of emails.
Chuck145 on March 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
For me, nothing will ever top his “She’s a typical white woman,” when speaking of his grandmother. It told me all I wanted to know about him.
jintrabar on March 21, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Didn’t he skip her funeral, too?
Disturb the Universe on March 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Did they even have a funeral for her? Seriously, I can’t remember if they did or they just tossed her to the side like everyone else who was deemed useless to Barack Obama. (Rev. Wright, Pfelger or whatever, his parents, Tom Daschle, what’shisname from NM, etc, etc)
As for the people who don’t like this, suck it up, buttercup. He was asking for this from the moment the Dems put him up as being the talking genius of the Democratic party. When he goes off teleprompter, it makes me want to harm small puppies.
mjk on March 21, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Spare the puppies; they don’t like him either.
Disturb the Universe on March 21, 2009 at 2:58 PM
There was a memorial service for her which he did, indeed, skip. I think he voted present.
jintrabar on March 21, 2009 at 3:00 PM
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