Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on March 27, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Michael Ledeen noted this blunder by President Barack Obama earlier this week. Obama promised to improve relations with our allies if elected to the White House. Unfortunately, it appears Obama understands multi-party democracies as well as his Secretary of State:
He also sent a letter to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (a member of the now defunct Communist Party), expressing confidence that the United States and Italy would work together “to overcome the current global political and economic hardships and build a safer world.” The only problem with the letter was that the Italian president does not make policy; that power resides with the prime minister and his cabinet. Perhaps the White House czars have issued an ukaz stipulating that the American president writes only to his peers, and thus instead of addressing himself to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, President Obama wrote to a man who holds an almost entirely ceremonial position.
Got an Obamateurism of the Day? 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 Obamateurism. I’ll post the best Obamateurisms on a daily basis, depending on how many I receive. Include a link to your blog, and I’ll give some link love as well. And unlike Slate, I promise to end the feature when Barack Obama leaves office.
Illustrations by Chris Muir of Day by Day. Be sure to read the adventures of Sam, Zed, Damon, and Jan every day!
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The enemies of this country are wringing their hands with glee as they plot ways to take advantage of our wooden headed puppet Messiah.
csdeven on March 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
our state department is run by a bunch of school girls.. what could go wrong?
gatorboy on March 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Obama is ignoring the disaster in Minnesota and North Dakota. Where is the OUTRAGE!!!?
James on March 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
All that Ivy League education, all that waste.
CarolynM on March 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
The Precedent is just a moron. This ain’t rocket science.
progressoverpeace on March 27, 2009 at 8:10 AM
He could care less about a bunch of self reliant Christian white folks.
Right Kanye?
CarolynM on March 27, 2009 at 8:11 AM
James on March 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Obama doze
People froze!
gatorboy on March 27, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Kind of like Obama himself.
Tommy_G on March 27, 2009 at 8:14 AM
“Barak Obama don’t like white people” – Kayne living in a parallel universe.
sarcoff/
jbh45 on March 27, 2009 at 8:16 AM
But all these ‘slip ups’ seem always to go to commies and hardline socialists rather than conservative Prime Ministers and/or members of their parties. Curious, non?
eaglewingz08 on March 27, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Dumb and Dumber…meet Dumbest, The Obama Administration.
ladyingray on March 27, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Are there not hold overs in the State Department or former Clinton peeps who could direct the president on how to properly hand all of this foreign policy stuff?
myrenovations on March 27, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Obama likely copied the Queen of England on his “worldly visions” too. Why deal with a portion of governments that are supposed to be representative of their people, when our President finds it easier to relate to puppets.
Rovin on March 27, 2009 at 8:27 AM
I don’t think he does like white people. I think he’s contemptuous of anyone he thinks had an “easier life” than he had. He didn’t do anything for all the people that lost electricity earlier this year. I’m still disgusted by the way Bush was treated after Katrina, AND still thanking Shepard Smith for his hysterical part of it.
anniekc on March 27, 2009 at 8:28 AM
He also ignored those affected by the ice storm in February. the super bowl party had to come first!
How is Obama going to improve relations with other countries when he keeps insulting their leaders? He is a buffoon.
becki51758 on March 27, 2009 at 8:29 AM
I have this sneaky suspicion that world leaders think Obama is a joke. They lashed out at Bush out of fear and jealousy, but since Obama is far more easily manipulated, they will be more patient with him… waiting for their moments to lash out when they need a concession from the US.
mankai on March 27, 2009 at 8:32 AM
I thought, all through out President Bush’s two terms,
the neverending talking point by the Liberals,was that
his Administration damaged America’s image!
So,the Liberals so far,have F#$$#$%% it up worse then
Bush,
like,
making deals in Canada before Hopey took office,
then theres the Hillary *re-start button*,
then, the bust of Churchill,
France and Chirac!
It looks like Hopey/Changey is on a roll!
I wonder what country he’ll piss off next!
—————
canopfor on March 27, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Oh well at least the administration didn’t manage to stuff up the visit from the Australian Prime Minister this week (at least that we know of).
Although by the sound of it Mr Rudd has enough problems at home at the moment with his defence minister currently embroiled in a scandal about the fact that he was being secretly investigated by his own intelligence agency’s because of his close relationship with a business women from China.
Dreadnought223 on March 27, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Obama’s naivete’ is only overshadowed by his total incompetence. He sure is pretty is though. I still remember the good ole days when women were fainting on a regular basis just by his mere presence. I never understood why it stopped so abruptly and never happened again. Maybe his disciples are more naive than he is.
volsense on March 27, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Don’t these people get paid to be familiar with our allies’ gov’t structures…
Darbraun on March 27, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Is the State Department deliberately trying to undermine Dear Leader?
Insulting Great Britain with DVDs, now this.
Who’s in charge at State . . .
rbj on March 27, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Foreign leaders may have disliked/hated George Bush but there is one thing that you can say about them. Our allies took him to be a serious person and our enemies feared him. They just laugh at Obama.
jerryofva on March 27, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Now that a black man has been elected to the highest possible position in America, the rest of the world seems to feel embolden in their desire to get even with the evil white race. Racism has a golden opportunity to manifest itself into a devilish monster once again, with the non white population having their chance to get even. I heard a very popular rapper on the radio this week, telling the host that “it’s the black man’s time now, the day of reckoning is here.” Whatever that means!
And to think, the party of KKK Byrd is leading the way…
Keemo on March 27, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Obama is making friends the Chicago way…. The Al Capone Chicago way… So what’s next??? Obama sends a letter to Stalin expressing confidence that he and Stalin have a productive relationship???
doriangrey on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
TOTUS says everything is going according to plan. Some audio clips that might come in handy when doubt sets in.
forest on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
finding out who is head of state in another country just ain’t tough. and then you call someone in from that “desk” at the state dept to ask them all the nuances of who is really in charge, the ceremonial in charge & the proper manner of address & spelling.
the state dept. still has zillions of low-level staffers that specialize in this stuff. and also, the protocol grunt-people at the White HOuse rarely change with the administration either.
kelley in virginia on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
I am beginning to think that these are not “slip-ups” but attentional slights to those in power. He obviously prefers socialists and communists.
bopbottle on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Shlemazels, the whole lotta them.
Shy Guy on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
“this foreign policy stuff is darn hard…”
-Ogabe
sven10077 on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Because the transcripts of Obama’s tenure at Columbia and Harvard is a national secret, it may be thirty years before anyone discovers they elected an intellectual idiot. Whether he recieved an education is highly debatable.
Rovin on March 27, 2009 at 8:39 AM
who cares what his transcripts say? i raised my daughter to know the proper way to address a damn envelope.
kelley in virginia on March 27, 2009 at 8:40 AM
“not all disasters are created equal…..”
-Ogabe
sven10077 on March 27, 2009 at 8:41 AM
i immersed myself in John Wayne videos last night & feel very feisty this a.m.
kelley in virginia on March 27, 2009 at 8:41 AM
That’s because he got his much vaunted education as the result of affirmative action and patronage ans I suspect that’s exactly what his collage transcripts show.
Dreadnought223 on March 27, 2009 at 8:44 AM
I’d like to sue Harvard for fraud, for making this moron the precedent of the Law Review and giving him a diploma. It’s a total joke.
progressoverpeace on March 27, 2009 at 8:44 AM
“Those states are full of Nordic folks…they like the rain and mud and snow….*did that sound like a bit of subtle racism?*”
-Ogabe
sven10077 on March 27, 2009 at 8:46 AM
I just read the GOP outline for their response to bambi’s budget. do they really mean to say they want to provide for universal healthcare? or do they think they can pander that & then have to cut it because its too destructive? I don’t like the sounds of it.
kelley in virginia on March 27, 2009 at 8:47 AM
“Incompetence” wouldn’t happen to be an impeachable offense, would it?
Because if it ain’t, it should be.
I think gross maladministration by the chief executive of the country should fall into the catagory of “high crimes and misdemeanors”. The higher the office, the more severe the screw up; thus, the more strict the punishment should be.
Harpazo on March 27, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Perhaps he’s just more comfortable communicating with his ideological brethren.
Stephen Macklin on March 27, 2009 at 8:47 AM
This is like watching a clumsy puppy chase his tail.
I’m sorry, anyone who voted for this guy was and is a complete idiot.
And I’m not sorry.
NoDonkey on March 27, 2009 at 8:48 AM
He received an Ivy League education without the test scores to get in or the money to pay for it. He was given the most important job in the world. Even though he has few qualifications and an extremely vague background. His word is law not matter how idiotic and no one is allowed to question him. He parties like a rock star consistently, while all the world around him is in disarray. Looks to me like he has had one of the easiest lives in history.
Tommy_G on March 27, 2009 at 8:49 AM
The difference in Presidents!
—————————-
2009 -Obama, Ah..um..can’t we all get along in the world!
1981-1989 -Ronald(Star Wars-SDI)Regan,
If any rogue nation in the world pulls a stupid,your
country will be vapourized,smoldering gapeing hole!
canopfor on March 27, 2009 at 8:49 AM
You’re correct, however, he’s arrogant enough to assume that he is the smartest president in history(a label that the fawning media attached to him) thus Der Fuhrer believes that he can do no wrong.
Why does the current crisis look so formidable? The answer may very well be because the Administration needs him to come off as our hero riding in on a white horse or white whores.
larvcom on March 27, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Given that Italy is a perpetually indebted corrupt kleptocracy with a huge underground economy (actually, just Chicago on a bigger scale), I’d think that Obama would want to be on good terms with them in order to get some tips. I mean, the Romans were doing things “the Chicago way” when Chicago was an Indian camp.
venividivici on March 27, 2009 at 8:54 AM
Maybe he chose him because they are fellow travelers.
Buy Danish on March 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM
progressoverpeace on March 27, 2009 at 8:44 AM
For a man that supposedly taught constitutional law, he sure has found a way to shread it to pieces in less that 100 days.
Rovin on March 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM
I had lunch yesterday with a person who voted for Obama. And man was she pissed. She said she was totally betrayed by him and is very angry.
Key West Reader on March 27, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Maybe he chose him because they are fellow travelers.
Maybe I should have included a link with that. Fellow travelers.
Buy Danish on March 27, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Knowledge is power.
Buy Danish on March 27, 2009 at 8:59 AM
If only it still was . . .
Mrs. O’Leary’s cow had the right idea. They should have salted the ground after that fire and never rebuilt.
NoDonkey on March 27, 2009 at 9:02 AM
He never liked the way the Founders formulated it (as he wanted to break free from the constraints the Founders put into a document whose only purpose was to define and constrain government … sheesh) and he wasn’t shy about letting his 3-watt ideas be known. Frankly, I doubt the idiot even knows as much about the Constitution as his brain-dead VP does, and Crazy Joe doesn’t really know much about anything. This is so, so sad. And infuriating.
progressoverpeace on March 27, 2009 at 9:05 AM
But, you’re repeating yourself.
the_nile on March 27, 2009 at 9:06 AM
Obama probably did this because he likes being friendly with communists and because Berlusconi was friends with…*gasp*…BUSH!!!
CP on March 27, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Ed, I think the Obamateurism for tomorrow is perculating in a story I heard on Fox this morning. They were reporting Obama may hand over welfare checks to the Gitmo detainees he is about to unleash on the United States.
Gotta give the fellas a good start you know, and show them we’re sorry for dealing harshly with those who would slit the throats of our wives and children and videotape it for distribution.
Sorry folks, but we have a terrorist sympathizer sitting in the White House. And a stupid one at that. I wonder if he’s going to hand them a map showing them where all of our nuclear power plants are located too?
Obama, doing the right thing …….. to embolden our enemies.
Do you hear them laughing?
fogw on March 27, 2009 at 9:10 AM
I live in Chicago and some days I feel that same way. But without the politicians, it really is a good city.
sherry on March 27, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Um….weren’t we told not to worry about his foreign policy because he had Good Ol’ Joe for that?
Must be Joe was at Home Depot when the Prez wrote that one.
vtskydiver on March 27, 2009 at 9:11 AM
I live in Chicago and, in a perverse way, I’m glad the Chicago way has gone to DC. Maybe by seeing big city machine-style government “in action” certain people (not you or me, but idealist fools) will finally wake up the the fact that government is a necessary evil to be kept as small as possible, not something to be worshiped. Of course, some people just know this from studying history, since it’s practically the story of every civilization’s collapse, but some people have to “learn by suffering”. Since Obama’s margin of victory was nowhere near the 90% margins the Daleys win here in Chicago, there’s still hope this lesson will sink in before the entire country is “Chicago-ized”.
venividivici on March 27, 2009 at 9:12 AM
fogw: i didn’t hear the story on Fox, but i predicted the same thing. the govt. probably thinks this is a way to track the address of the terrorists. but this should be a rallying cry for The Right.
kelley in virginia on March 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Although it infuriates me that these people are the reason we will suffer, it is good to hear that some are waking up.
keebs on March 27, 2009 at 9:16 AM
I like this gaffey Obamateur guy and his admin that can’t shoot straight.
RepubChica on March 27, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Obama is quarterbacking this country with the second team in the game as starters.
What does that say about what is sitting on the bench?
Yoop on March 27, 2009 at 9:19 AM
To whom are the foreign leaders sending letters: Soros?
AubieJon on March 27, 2009 at 9:20 AM
This is the most inept adminstration since Jimmy Carter. The problem is all these errors that are being made are not even being brought up by the MSM, so the uninformed general public has no idea as tho what this administration is doing.
However, I do agree that, if they give government assitance to Gitmo detainees, there will be a backlash.
kingsjester on March 27, 2009 at 9:20 AM
They are finally waking up with a very bad hangover.
Problem is all the rest of us have to pay their bar tab.
Yoop on March 27, 2009 at 9:22 AM
And Hillary’s handing out towels…
Akzed on March 27, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Next time you see her, tell her not to worry. After all, the “adults” are in charge now.
Del Dolemonte on March 27, 2009 at 9:25 AM
You mean the senate election in Minnesota?
…. Actually, Obama declared a federal emergency there – using his ceremonial authority to celebrate expanded use of federal power at the drop of a hat.
Right_of_Attila on March 27, 2009 at 9:27 AM
I am Glad everyone is finding out about Dillary Clinton. But you know she has an excuse.. I mean she did land in a helicopter in Bosnia under HEAVY sniper fire. I’m sure that affected her for life.
Dire Straits on March 27, 2009 at 9:30 AM
This is not an error. There’s a method to this madness. He’s reaching out to every far left, communist leader whether in power or not. He’s not interested in business with others. Only communists and criminals.
promachus on March 27, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Obama’s “deer in the headlights” facial expression occuring more and more often now.
whitetop on March 27, 2009 at 9:33 AM
She’s wearing kevlar pantsuits now – just in case.
whitetop on March 27, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Del Dolemonte on March 27, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Del, don’t say that buzz word. You’ll wake up the Trolls and they will try to take over this thread like they did the other one last night.
kingsjester on March 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Any kin to Sec. of Homeland Security Jane Napolitano?
Dire Straits on March 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM
standards, meet double….
sven10077 on March 27, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I sure hate learning by suffering. I’m pretty much done with that, but realize that there is much more on the horizon. These gaffes are accumulating pretty fast and I don’t see anyone stepping forward to make them stop. You would think by now that someone would be tutoring this creep into something more suave to match his physical image. Especially over at State. The messes that the O has and is creating seem to be self inflicted. He is the President, but seems to be going it alone. Doesn’t listen to advisors nor does he ask for help. The ones he listens to don’t care about protocol. They are just as juvenile as the Pres. There doesn’t seem to be an adult anywhere to advise. At some point you would expect to see some growth in the office, but so far we haven’t. I can’t see Hillary doing it for many reasons and Biden doesn’t have it in him either. Waiting for the crisis of this Presidency and not knowing exactly what it will be is very tedious. There will be one, but when or where, or what reamains to be seen.
BetseyRoss on March 27, 2009 at 9:41 AM
AT some point one has to wonder if it is possible for someone to actually be this stupid. This is just like the letter to the President of France. Is it on purpose, just a honest mistake, or a complete lack of knowledge of just about everything?
How embarrassing for America. Make him go away!!!
milwife88 on March 27, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Sure there are. But since they are mostly all Clinton moles, they want him to fail.
Del Dolemonte on March 27, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Just a hunch, but I don’t think it’ll take quite that long. /sarc
Oldnuke on March 27, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Fair point.
myrenovations on March 27, 2009 at 9:50 AM
kj,
The Mrs. monitors the MSM for me because I don’t have temperment and she sees none of the things that I share. She is stunned that while G.W. was president all that was put forth were stories of his incompetence. And the late night night stooges can’t find anything to use.
thomasaur on March 27, 2009 at 9:55 AM
I seem to recall that Jimmy Carter pretty much got a pass from the press too, but it was a long time ago so I may have it wrong. In any case when Jimmuh was prez we had almost no alternative media and the public still got it…in the end. There’s hope, hope I want to believe in :-)
Oldnuke on March 27, 2009 at 9:58 AM
YES WE CAN!! : – O
thomasaur on March 27, 2009 at 10:02 AM
maybe if berlusconi stopped making racist jokes about obama’s skin color, he’d be more friendly toward him.
ledeen is a moron.
sesquipedalian on March 27, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I have a sneaking suspicion that allot of this stuff is intentional and is Obama’s version of a back handed insult. It is exactly the same sort of thing he was doing during the campaign when he would scratch his face with his middle finger or say things like his infamous lipstick on a pig comment or call Palin the Mayor of Wasilly.
Dreadnought223 on March 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Personally, given Obama’s addictive habits, I opt for the more derogatory Der Leser (LAY-zer), The Reader. Whenever Obama meets another leader for some serious negotiations, and TOTUS is appallingly silent, we will see just how absurd a ‘leader’ Obama is. Any questions on why Obama, the Hahvud-edjumicated lawyer, never took a case in front of a jury? This guy just can’t think on his feet whatsoever. It’s funny how Bush was derided for being so dumb he couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time. What would libs call a Precedent who simply cannot stand on his feet and talk coherently at the same time, without prompting?
Der Leser is a world-wide joke, and our Nation will suffer as a result of that realistic appraisal.
RickZ on March 27, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Just one more case of that ‘more intelligent diplomacy’. On the other hand, maybe Obama felt more comfortable speaking with a fellow communist.
GarandFan on March 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Why wouldn’t Obama write to a member of the “defunct” communist party? I’m sure he’s much more in tune with The One than that center-right Berlusconi guy. What would Obama and Berlusconi talk about?
Another day, another embarrassing Obama administration blunder.
crusader1145 on March 27, 2009 at 10:16 AM
So Rahmy the Ballerina should have sent a similar letter to the Italian Prime Minister?
GeneSmith on March 27, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The USA has gone from being the target of international anger because we dared to act to protect our interests to being the butt of their jokes.
That’s change you can believe in.
EconomicNeocon on March 27, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Here is a fantastic quote from a blogger on this site from back in June regarding everyone’s drunken infatuation with the one and the inevitable hangover. He is responding to another who asked how the American people could really think Obama was the answer…
Because the youth and libs are in love! Love blinds us to the ugly truth. Love overlooks imperfection. These gaffes Obama makes are just so darned cute! His alliance with Ayers? Adorable! His 20 years in the “church” of Wright? Well isn’t that sweet? His lovely wife is proud of her country, nay, REALLY proud of her country for the first time? Who can blame her; I mean, this guy is amazing.
But we all know what happens when the burping and farting starts. That puppy love turns into hell. Except we are married to this bitch for four years.
carbon_footprint on June 18, 2008 at 11:34 AM
hogfat on March 27, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Yep, every channel’s news had this on as the lead last night… oh and above the fold page one in the major newspapers.
jukin on March 27, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Excellent analogy. Not only did we have to pick up their tab, but we’re having to deal with power drunks who are vomiting all over our country.
These people who voted for Obama were voting for an illusion and projecting all of their own “hopes” for “change” onto his persona.
The rest of us looked at who he actually was–a narcissist Leftist radical with personal issues yet without executive experience who was backed by the corrupt Chicago machine–a man who associated with people who hated America (including his wife!! who finally managed to be proud of her country!!).
INC on March 27, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Come on man this has to stop.
Theworldisnotenough on March 27, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Obama wrote a letter to a ceremonial leader in the Italian government?
Clearly this is an impeachable offense.
Ed maybe you ought to cut it down to the Obamateurism of the week, because you’re reaching pretty deep here.
You could do one on the awesome republican budget.
e-pirate on March 27, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Ah yes, “shepherd” Smith of Holly Springs, Mississippi, where men are men and sheep are nervous!
Sweet_Thang on March 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM
What an absolute bumbling idiot we have for a President.
Jeeez, how embarrassing for our entire country.
crosspatch on March 27, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Communists of a feather? Could be!
DannoJyd on March 27, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Excellent article on topic.
Entelechy on March 27, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Potus Obama needs 17,500 MORE American troops and more American civilians in Afghanistan than Bush did to do less than they’ve been doing to date.
Please, Brer Bear, PLEASE don’t throw me into that briar patch.
You watch and see Obama asking Russia to resume its former role in the ongoing war against the Taliban/al Quaeda forces in Afghanistan. Admitting in his official press release that Obama has no human intelligence regarding Afghanistan, it would be his thang to ‘give it to god’/Putin.
Obamaplomacy.
maverick muse on March 27, 2009 at 3:29 PM
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