Video: Obama gets gift from new friend
posted at 3:58 pm on April 18, 2009 by Allahpundit
Another encounter between the most popular man in Venezuela and, er, Hugo Chavez. Silly me, I thought Evil Clown had slipped the book to him last night when they shook hands. Nope: He waited to do it in public, with cameras rolling, to put him on the spot and wring every last drop of propaganda goodness from his gambit. And no wonder, given the subject of the book. As one of our readers snarked in Headlines, considering Obama’s habit of apologizing for America, he probably already owns this one.
As he did last night, all The One could manage here was a stooge-like grin and a weak quip later about how he thought it was one of Chavez’s own master works. After you watch this, go watch Gingrich lay into him about what a “terrible signal” this buddy act is sending to South America.
Update: The book’s in Spanish, by the way. El Presidente couldn’t even be bothered to find a translation. Food for thought from Tapper: “Can you imagine the world outrage if a US President gave a book in English to a non-English speaking leader?”
Update: Mission accomplished.










Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Probably in the trash can in his room.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Why would you assume that? He’s been hobnobbing with thugs all weekend – glad-handing people who called his predecessor crude and nasty names, listening to Ortega’s anti-American rant for nearly an hour and applauding and smiling at the freak afterwards – you think he’s not going to keep a book?
capitalist piglet on April 18, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Friends,
I think it is time we consider very real possibility that the dumbMasses among us voted to put an America-hater into the White House last November.
-Dave
Dave R. on April 18, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Turns out Michelle Obama isn’t the only one who has been ashamed of her country all these years.
capitalist piglet on April 18, 2009 at 6:23 PM
That is sickening. I’m sure everyone in congress bought one as well as the senate.
deidre on April 18, 2009 at 6:27 PM
IMO, Remember when Rush put what Palin and Obama said about Special Olymics and what a stark difference there was? That is how I feel when I hear Palin talk about Alaska (or America for that matter) and how great of a state it is and then you compare to how Obama talks about America, and you can just tell the differences there are between them.
deidre on April 18, 2009 at 6:32 PM
capitalist piglet on April 18, 2009 at 6:17 PM
BS.
He is representing our country just like w did.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Was the book Mein Kampf or the Communist Manifesto?
Johan Klaus on April 18, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Recess is over, back to school with you
Johan Klaus on April 18, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Not quite the same
Jamson64 on April 18, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Mission Accomplished? Does that mean that Mr. Chavez has a cut on the royalties. I can’t wait for the Lefties to describe how brilliant the book is.
Cindy Munford on April 18, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Dave, by now that is a foregone conclusion. Obama has been swapping spit all weekend with those that hate America as much as he does. Hanging out with Socialists and corrupt Dictators must be like his old neighborhood in Chicago. Thank the 53% of Americans that voted for this Fool. They won, elections have consequences and by the time that 53% wise up, the damage is done.
old trooper2 on April 18, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Nothing new here, Obama said everyone should learn Spanish.
Johan Klaus on April 18, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Ok, in what manner? Don’t respond with Kos talking points.
Examples?
old trooper2 on April 18, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Just like W did? Are you joking? Seriously – is this a joke?
capitalist piglet on April 18, 2009 at 6:42 PM
There are no works for this tool.
Johan Klaus on April 18, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Let me guess, Karl Marx’s “Manifesto”.
GarandFan on April 18, 2009 at 6:59 PM
As for the gift being in Spanish, hey, The One is a shitty gift giver as well. Let’s just call this Karma.
GarandFan on April 18, 2009 at 7:00 PM
-
Damn… Toolbox. A whole toolbox, this messiah clown.
-
RalphyBoy on April 18, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Did Obama thank him in spanish… “Grassy ass”…
RalphyBoy on April 18, 2009 at 7:02 PM
But what is really important per another Trapper story in the headlines, Pres. Obama is more popular then Mr. Chavez. And I venture to say he’s more popular than anybody in the whole wide world.
Cindy Munford on April 18, 2009 at 7:08 PM
The White House is sending out press releases claiming how much more popular Obama is in Venezuela, the country that continues to elect an evil little troll like Chavez, than Chavez himself.
And that is a GOOD thing?
Obama can go to Venezuela if he wants, sheesh. That’s change we can believe in.
amkun on April 18, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Chavez played him like a violin…
catmman on April 18, 2009 at 7:17 PM
That’s because he doesn’t care if Obama reads it. This was just a propaganda ploy and it worked.
CP on April 18, 2009 at 7:18 PM
And just on cue
Chávez Says He’s Willing to Consider Sending Ambassador to U.S.
deidre on April 18, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Man, Hillary really thought that exchange was hilarious didn’t she?
CP on April 18, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Less people to feed. You know somehow we will end up paying for the privilege. Sort of like that whole UN thing we are blessed with.
Cindy Munford on April 18, 2009 at 7:23 PM
This is one time I wish Dear Leader would have given a foreign leader the Best Buy Best of the ’90s DVD Set. I guess Barry just isn’t on top of the snark game anymore…
Upstater85 on April 18, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Heh. Not so much.
deidre on April 18, 2009 at 7:27 PM
old trooper2,
I used to just think the man was merely anti-American, but now I see him as someone who truly hates this country, along with everything it represents.
-Dave
Dave R. on April 18, 2009 at 7:34 PM
I honestly believe this nitwit thinks of himself as “cool” and “hip”; oh, how the world adores him.
This idiot doesn’t realize he is being laughed at and ridiculed for being weak by the very people he is sucking up to including Chavez, Castro, Iran mullahs, and N. Korea.
Clueless merely scratches the surface in describing our wimp of a President.
jdflorida on April 18, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Jimmy Carter: never met a dictator he didn’t like.
Jimmy Carter II: basically the same
didymus on April 18, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Oprompta is a fr*king moron
PJ Emeritus on April 18, 2009 at 7:57 PM
The book blames the United States for all of South and Central America’s problems. He conveniently forgets the atrocities committed by Europeans that far out-weighed anything our country might have done. Galeano, the author, is a typical Socialist-Marxist. He absolutely hated Clinton and Bush, and he made the comment that Obama should never forget that Blacks were once slaves.
This was a slap in the face to the United States from Chavez. He owned Obama, who looked like a fool, on this visit.. What a moron we have in the Oval Office.
Deanna on April 18, 2009 at 8:11 PM
In other words, Barry got PWNED!!!
Upstater85 on April 18, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Obama got punked by Chavez.
America’s “smart power” just got suckerpunched by a petty tyrant.
canditaylor68 on April 18, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Sadly , that does not speak well of the Morons that voted him into an Office that he was never qualified for. 53% of the US Population was as incredibly naive as Obama on the World stage.
The Russians punked him on Eastern Europe Missile Defense, Sarkozy found him by and large ignorant, NATO refused to send Troops to Afghanistan, Merkel,the German Chancellor told him that his spending was foolish and now Chavez & Ortega tell him He’s just not Socialist enough to be their Buddy. It’s good that he has not visited Russia. Putin would hand him his ass without breaking a sweat.
If America does not have buyers remorse yet, give it a few months when the economy is still flat after throwing trillions of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to the wind.
old trooper2 on April 18, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Deanna — good post on your part. I agree with everything you said.
I know my vote in the 2012 election will be cast so as to say “adios, muchacho”, to the moron presently occupying the oval office.
jdflorida on April 18, 2009 at 8:30 PM
What you don’t see in that picture is Hilary Clinton sitting in a chair just behind Obama in that shot.
So here’s what we have to look for as Americans over the next 16 years. You heard it here first.
We are going to have 8 years of Obama and 8 years of Hilary if we expect Republicans to be the ‘opposition.
ThackerAgency on April 18, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Yes, unfortunately many Americans are ignorant of anything other than what the MSM feeds them. And worse are the so-called elitists who pine for the 60s…who still have a Che t-shirt hanging in their closet…who think that holding hands and singing Kumabaya will make the world love us and cure all its ills…who deep down inside despise everything about this country, except the good life it gives them. They are the people who elected Obama and trust me they are overjoyed at everything he’s done.
Deanna on April 18, 2009 at 8:38 PM
See if that stupid gringo will give us a bailout hefe.
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Obama gives the British DVD’s not playable on UK dvd players
Chavez gives Obama a anti-American book wrote in Spanish, which Obama can not read.
karma?
jp on April 18, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Barry and Hugo sitting in a tree…k-i-s-s-i-n-g!
Hey, it’s my brutha from anutha socialist mutha!
Wyznowski on April 18, 2009 at 8:47 PM
How soon before Barry grows a beard and gets a beret?
What’s “assclown” in Spanish?
profitsbeard on April 18, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Priceless photo here
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 8:59 PM
I love this phtographers work here
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Honest just one more
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 9:01 PM
W could translate it for him.
holygoat on April 18, 2009 at 9:10 PM
OMG…we are so screwed! How many more days until these ends?
d1carter on April 18, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Could you imagine if someone gave Obama DVDs that doesn’t work in his DVD player?
deidre on April 18, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Maybe so, but it should have been thrown in the trash can in the conference room, in front of the cameras, with great gusto. Sigh, missed opportunities.
jimmy2shoes on April 18, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Submission Accomplished.
Western_Civ on April 18, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Now that would have been an equal exchange. One load of crap for another.
4shoes on April 18, 2009 at 9:53 PM
A Larry Sinclair.
ex-Democrat on April 18, 2009 at 10:05 PM
That book is at this moment ranked in the top 10 on Amazon.com
Kjeil on April 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Correction: That’s not a ‘new friend’ of his, it’s his uncle Hugo….the one that touched him funny all the time.
Spiritk9 on April 18, 2009 at 11:01 PM
***
President Obama (PBUH) tells us we all need to learn Spanish and other languages. But he does not make the effort to learn Spanish.
***
Don’t do as I do–do as I say!
***
Condi Rice speaks Russian and is an expert on that country. Hillary Clinton knows only English–but is BRILLIANT.
***
What a bunch of dishonest clowns.
***
John Bibb
***
rocketman on April 18, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Liberty and Tyranny is still number 1.
5000 year leap is number 3.
I don’t mean to be rude, but what point are you trying to make?
long_cat on April 19, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Once again, fellow conservatives, be aware that you are vindicated in your pre-election analysis of our clown President, and his rather obvious associations with lots and lots of people who hate America.
Imagine for a moment President Bush playing buddy-pal with someone who called our sitting President “the devil”.
If we were wrong about Obama in any way, it was that he is an even more pathetic clown than we suggested.
Jaibones on April 19, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Maybe he should have given him an iPod with the audiobook version on there.
Mojave Mark on April 19, 2009 at 12:59 AM
The guy who wrote this has captured the essence of capitalist society — that each is entitled to profit from his or her work. To do this, they frequently will buy the work of others who wish to profit from same and perform some value added action which increases the value of what they purchased. They will then sell it to obtain the profits of their own work. That sale price is certainly higher than the price they paid their own suppliers, as it must be.
Those who are unwilling to work in this environment tend to be socialists or communists, for only in those types of society are slackers rewarded with the fruits of others’ labor.
unclesmrgol on April 19, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Or on prominent display in the Oval Office next to the desk set he got from Brown.
Obama Franks Waters LLC — destroyers of the world economy.
unclesmrgol on April 19, 2009 at 1:08 AM
Well at least obama provided us with a lot of photo ops for the negative ads we can run next year against the Dems in Congress. Now we just need candidates with the guts to run a full press campaign against all of the idiocy that Obama represents and by extension, his lib friends in Congress.
karenhasfreedom on April 19, 2009 at 1:22 AM
That, my friend, would make a great bumpersticker with the right graphic design.
capitalist piglet on April 19, 2009 at 1:53 AM
Somewhere in America tonight, the stockholders and CEOs of companies that make their profits from developing natural resources are watching video of a President who likes to seize control of companies, order the firing of private-sector executives, and write bills of attainder to invalidate employment contracts… shaking the hand of a brutal dictator noted for political violence, nationalizing industries, and destroying his country’s economy to suit his ideology. They note the obvious mentor/student vibe between Chavez and Obama, and how Obama has not the slightest interest in standing up for his country, its policies, or previous administrations.
They watch with sinking feelings in the pits of their stomach as a beaming Obama poses with a book designed to be used as agitprop socialist literature for nationalist movements who want to “retake” their resources “for the people” – which, of course, invariably means a few socialist ministers will make millions, and the “people” will get nothing except a fresh list of Party-approved targets to hate.
The businessmen watching this video retire for the evening, and ponder the titanic amounts of revenue Obama will need to pay off his bloated spending plans and bailouts. When he takes that money, he’ll need to take it fast, and the fastest way to generate big revenue in a hurry is to seize natural resources – that’s why it’s one of the first things every socialist government does, once the “revolution” is over.
I doubt these thoughts and observations fill the businessmen of America with confidence, and generating confidence in the market is one of the key duties of the government in a free-market democracy. Nervous businessmen tend to withdraw from the markets, cancel future factory orders, reduce payroll, and otherwise batten down the hatches. That picture of Obama and Chavez grinning and clasping hands is going to annihilate a great deal of wealth in the coming weeks.
Doctor Zero on April 19, 2009 at 3:22 AM
Seriously,
Ed,Allah,and Mrs. Malkin need to put you on the payroll.
Great perspective on yet another issue.
Baxter Greene on April 19, 2009 at 6:04 AM
The summit brings out the worst.
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Touché
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Multiple Choice:
1. He can’t do math.
2. His records misrepresent his birth.
3. Both of the above.
How well will Obama’s “don’t blame me; I was just a baby” go over South of the Border? How well is that regurgitated excuse settling stateside?
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 8:12 AM
See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil.
What did Obama think of Ortega’s address?
Good line.
Hillary,
[re: the cultural presentation from the Caribbean]
How many times has Bill told Hillary to button her trap to no avail? He’s wondering what Obama has that he hasn’t.
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Under the current circumstances, with Obama continuing on with his “America is evil, and I’m sorry” tour, it’s time to break this one back out of the old files…
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who’s hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to President Barack Obama.
The old rancher said, ‘Well, ya know, Obama is a ‘Post Turtle”..
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a ‘post turtle’ was.
The old rancher said, ‘When you’re driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a ‘post turtle’.
The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor’s face so he continued to explain. ‘You know he didn’t get up there by himself, he doesn’t belong up there, and he doesn’t know what to do while he’s up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put him up there to begin with’.
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 8:59 AM
I’d agree with this comment 100%… Doc Zero would be great in the green room…
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 9:01 AM
How long before this narcissist fails in his sworn duties to uphold the Constitution? This man seems hell bent on flying his own kite, with no regard for the legal boundaries that were put in place to help guide the potus.
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 9:05 AM
He already has
old trooper2 on April 19, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Laughing at the reminder that Obama said everyone should learn a foreign language here.
Boy, these guys are having a heyday with insulting Obama.
AnninCA on April 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
But if Chavez gets royalties, and those royalties are too big for the book companies likings, they’ll just try to get Neocons to take Chavez out again.
LevStrauss on April 19, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Hilarity ensues
William Amos on April 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM
In other words…. Atlas is getting ready to shrug. Hard.
UltimateBob on April 19, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Let’s see. Obama gave stupid gifts to politicians from other countries and he gets thins. What goes around comes around. All this sincerity is overwhelming, isn’t it?
kingsjester on April 19, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Damn, this is scary.
The same day obama kisses dictator ass, the dictator states America’s end is near, allah willing.
Hmmm.
This would mean either (a) obama really IS naive, or (b) he works directly for the enemy, and seeks the same goal as the enemy. I believe it’s the latter.
Unfortunately, us normal patriotic Americans can do nothing but protest, and therefore be called racists and fascists.
To all the obama voters on this blog, thanks for nothing, jackasses. I blame you for putting the terrorist in the White House.
ErinF on April 19, 2009 at 11:02 AM
But… but… but…. He’s doing all the right things! Janeane Garo-foul-O says so!
Oh, and by the way, you’re an ignorant racist redneck for criticizing Obama.
/sarc
UltimateBob on April 19, 2009 at 11:02 AM
And Obama & America is getting punked big time. Elections have consequences. America is no longer the Leader of the Free World and Obama destroyed America in less than 100 Days. He let Chavez & Ortega wipe their filthy backsides on America and because He does not Love America, it happened without an argument from him. America was betrayed by 53& of the voters in November and remember that in 2010 & 2012. If your vision of America can be remembered and America lasts that long.
old trooper2 on April 19, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Well stated and sadly all too true. Hard days ahead but Obama is a one termer if he lasts that long. Pretender in Chief Obama changes his principles daily. Ours don’t change.
America takes a beating on the World Stage, un-employment rises and a few of US will say “Enough” and take America back, by votes or by 2nd Amendment in worst case. It may come to just that like in 1776. The damage has been done. Lets see if America has the stones and innate Love of Freedom to take it back…
old trooper2 on April 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Does anybody here speak ‘Communeeze’?
I couldn’t make out if Chavez was saying:
‘Who’s your Daddy???’
or
‘Say my name, beeatch!’
cntrlfrk on April 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Priceless
From huffington Post
William Amos on April 19, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Seems Obama got the message
William Amos on April 19, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Well, the silver lining is: our side is the side with the guns and ammo.
ErinF on April 19, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I think he was telling obama to squeal like a pig.
ErinF on April 19, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Never heard of a “post turtle” but this analogy sums Obama up quite well.
Watching Obama tour another part of the country intent on securing popularity instead of actual results is making the people who see America as a roadblock to their quest for power ecstatic.
Obama has shown once again that he is willing to give status and relevance with America’s prominent position in the world(which we did not achieve through socialism and appeasement) to some of the most corrupt and oppressive leaders in the world.
America is falling off the radar quickly as a leader in fighting oppression and protecting Freedom on the world stage,and it is starting to bear seriously dangerous results:
Obama campaigned that this area was his main concern in fighting the jihadist.
He had better get serious quickly because it is coming apart at the seams:
Failed State Alert: 1,395 Pakistanis Killed in 1842 Terrorist Attacks So Far This Year
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/04/failed-state-alert-1395-pakistanis.html
There will be no success in Afghanistan without success in Pakistan.The jihadist are closing in quickly on taking over this country and securing nuclear weapons:
Pakistan agrees to Islamic law in Swat, bolstering extremists
Saeed Shah | McClatchy Newspapers
last updated: April 14, 2009 12:23:48 AM
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/world/v-print/story/66368.html
While Obama is running around using America’s prominence as a spring board for his own obsessive popularity,real world problems are coming down fast and he is voting “present”.
Let there be no doubt that the jihadist quest for the new Caliphate is taking shape quickly and with Mr. Capitulation
in the White House,looking like there is no one there to stop it.
I guess Obama sees this as just a mere distraction:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0861ff3eabea1ceb73e4
A serious leader would have better things to do than spend his time kissing the butts of his socialist friends while Iran acquires the bomb and nuclear Pakistan is on the brink
of jihadist overthrow.
“What kind of dumba$$ put him up there to begin with” INDEED!!!
Baxter Greene on April 19, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Ye shall reap what ye sow
The One gives stupid gifts now the tables have turned
oldernwiser on April 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Obama used to ‘pal around terrorists’ (Ayers & wife). And given the opportunity he’s now palling around dictator. Yes, he can!
FrenchguyinTaiwan on April 19, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Thats what happens when peope vote or someone who hides everything and we know nothing about. As far as the gift, its probably a friggin IPOD that the Queen pawned off.
johnnyU on April 19, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Obama has an open hand for eveyone so Chavez stuck a book in it.
Rocks on April 19, 2009 at 1:42 PM
As usual Obama has no clue to what he is doing. The Appeaser strikes again.
roux on April 19, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Obama was so played.
Firebird on April 19, 2009 at 1:45 PM
I figured it would be a parrot, and the teleprompter would get jealous.
Vashta.Nerada on April 19, 2009 at 1:49 PM
How about we give Chavez La rebelión de las masas? It comes in English, too, Mr. President!
History unfolds again.
emailnuevo on April 19, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »