Poll: Obamateurism of the Week
posted at 9:10 am on April 19, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
It’s been a week full of Obamateurisms, but what was the best? Vote in today’s poll! We’ll announce the results tomorrow with Kevin McCullough on the Ed Morrissey Show.
Previous winners:
- Austrian is a language?
- Obama bows to the Saudi king
- 1908 Model T got better gas mileage than today’s SUVs
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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Of these choices, Sarkozy’s comment is definitely the choicest.
Of course, I was hoping for “meet and greet with America’s worst enemy in South America.”
amkun on April 19, 2009 at 9:20 AM
So many tough choices. And the supply of Obamateurisms seems endless.
Corky on April 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM
French freeze.
Anytime TOTUS gets an attitude and reminds daddy who’s in charge, I’m there.
Marcus on April 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Quoting Jesus while forcing a Catholic school to cover up his image; pure 100% Liberal mindset on full display…
As Ann Coulter so correctly put it “GODLESS”
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Does the guy even read his speeches before he gives them?
It should have been so obvious after he said privacy to say piracy as if he just mispoke.
He appears to not even know he said the wrong word.
And why did he say absolutely during the french freeze?
ArmyAunt on April 19, 2009 at 9:36 AM
French Freeze. Tossing in the word “absolutely” made him look absolutely non compos mentis.
Least of These on April 19, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Agreed.
deidre on April 19, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I had someone give me the Model-T canard recently. I read it on the internet, he said.
Ooof.
Bob's Kid on April 19, 2009 at 9:43 AM
I went with the “you don’t have to take your shoes off” I’m kind of surprised he didn’t promise a return to “rail attendents that will give you not only a bag of peanuts, but the WHOLE can of the soft drink of your choice”
anniekc on April 19, 2009 at 9:44 AM
actually, i think that when he says the economy is improving(and anybody out here in the bitter, clinging areas can see that he is wrong), then having the complete nitwits at Treasury disagree–that is pure comedy.
unless your personal economy is hurting. but hey, i’m just a rt-wing terrorist–not smart enough to understand when i lose 50% of all my assets/
kelley in virginia on April 19, 2009 at 9:45 AM
For the last time, anything you put on that prompter,
BurgundyObama will read.stonemeister on April 19, 2009 at 9:46 AM
How did his tender moment with Chavez not get included here?
Golden Boy on April 19, 2009 at 9:50 AM
love fest with south american & cuban dictators will be on next week’s list.
kelley in virginia on April 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM
O/T: i like the green room, but wish the articles were better “attended”. but i haven’t seen getalife there so there’s that as a plus.
kelley in virginia on April 19, 2009 at 9:53 AM
I don’t think that necessarily qualifies that as the obamateurism of the week. There’s been a boatload of stuff in the first 100 days to make Obama look non compos mentis.
gryphon202 on April 19, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Obama quotes Jesus while covering up IHS 50% (168 votes)
Yep he they are out to lunch. How many Christians live in this country and vote? How many of those Christians are Catholic….this administration makes me pine for Bill Clinton….at least he said, he felt our pain. How many Christians attended tea partys last week? Yeah this will change their mind about this administration/sarc
Dr Evil on April 19, 2009 at 9:56 AM
kelley in virginia on April 19, 2009 at 9:53 AM
A work in progress….
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Quoting Jesus, definitely. Obowa always tries to bring gravitas to his speeches but ends up sounding like he’s reading the back of a Wheaties box..
Bishop on April 19, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Most are the usual stumbles.
Covering up Jesus so Jesus would not compete with the glory of the One makes the illness of narcissism so painfully evident.
drjohn on April 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Seriously, this is one of those weeks where I look for “All the Above.” (That’s not a suggestion for future polls; I think too many people would vote AtA too frequently.)
apostic on April 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Of all the boondoggles Obama committed this past week, meeting and greeting a despot, (Chavez), like they were long lost friends is the biggest insult to the office of the President of the United States. Where are the human rights advocates that should be screaming from the rooftops over the oppression countries like Venezeula and Cuba have used to assult its people? If, by his example, Obama condones or turns a blind eye to the daily atrocities these two “governments” use upon its people, where will he stand on our own civil and constitutional rights? Will the agenda-driven left-wing puppets like the ACLU also look the other way?
Rovin on April 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM
“I thought his speech was 50 minutes long.”
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Chavez, Obama, Ortega
Three Musketeers
Three Amigos
Ménage à Trois
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 10:22 AM
amen
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Baal Obama
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
“Privacy” instead of “piracy” finally got my vote. The amateurism of the other choices can be lessened by spreading some of the blame among his team; that might not be ethically correct, but it does lessen the blow. In contrast, the “privacy” flub was something he earned all on his own and opens the door for all kinds of psychoanalysis.
apostic on April 19, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Yes, that was pathetic. The angry clown steals millions of dollars worth of American assets, calls our President “Satan” at the UN, finances terrorists, & imprisons dissenters, but BHO thinks’ he’s worthy of a huge smile & a warm handshake.
The lib media is giving BHO a pass on that, but I did my part by forwarding that photo, as well as a list of the clown’s offenses, to dozens of people.
jgapinoy on April 19, 2009 at 10:28 AM
“Privacy” instead of “piracy” illustrates just how dependent BHO is on the teleprompter. He’s reading & not thinking.
jgapinoy on April 19, 2009 at 10:29 AM
For me, his BS about the economy improving takes the prize.
This illustrates clearly that he has no clue what he’s talking about.
UltimateBob on April 19, 2009 at 10:31 AM
What to do? All are worthing of a Toastmaster’s Award. Just watching those clips I fear that he is a total amature in everything. Will this nightmare ever end?
My favorite is Obama saying the economy is getting better and Little Timmy saying it isn’t. I see a pattern developing with this statement. Remember Obama trying to sell the idea that the Stimulus would help Caterpillar be able to hire back the laid-off workers? The CEO said that there would be more layoffs. And there were. I can’t believe that Little Timmy got something right.
BetseyRoss on April 19, 2009 at 10:31 AM
May I steal this and use it in all of my future references to the Precedent?
thomasaur on April 19, 2009 at 10:42 AM
But really, I think he is just too stupid to know how stupid he is, and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He just goes merrily on his jive talking way.
tarpon on April 19, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I voted for the “privacy” = “piracy” flub because it so clearly demonstrates that he isn’t even listening to the words the TOTUS is feeding him. It’s complete gibberish and he’s totally oblivious to it.
I see that the “quoting Jesus while denying Jesus” is way ahead in the poll but, to me, that demonstrates his cynical vanity rather than his ineptness.
cruadin on April 19, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Obama is just one big screwup. Obamateurisms are his forte.
docdave on April 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Will anyone be surprised when the Oslime-a supporters start parroting his idiotic rantings because it is the new sign of an enlightenment?
csdeven on April 19, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Baal Obama
maverick muse on April 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Keemo on April 19, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Will there be an Obamatuerism of the Month where we get to vote on which of the four or five weekly winners was the worst of the month? Then you could have the Obamatuerism of the Year as well among the twelve monthly winners.
GISAP on April 19, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Hence the ancient Greek decor at BHO’s Denver love-fest was really an altar.
jgapinoy on April 19, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Ancient Moab actually had a king named Balak.
jgapinoy on April 19, 2009 at 11:32 AM
amkun on April 19, 2009 at 9:20 AM
.
I agree, the Sarkozy comments really make Obama look like an amateur. How do you say “empty suit” in French?
dont taze me bro on April 19, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Meanwhile, the traitor-in-chief is speaking about his meeting with his commie buddies, right now. He has already let another Obamateurism fly, talking about how we are looking to “increase our influence” while he’s been saying that the US has been too influential.
This guy is a moron and a traitor. When I see him talk about “us” the idea that he means the US never enters my mind. He should stay south of the border. They are ideological bedfellows, down there, the miserable POS.
progressoverpeace on April 19, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Now he’s talking about American principles, and the COnstitution and private property never even came close to being in his list. What a schmuck. A nasty, stupid, anti-American schmuck.
Ed, his listing of “American ideals”, just now, provide a whole week’s worth of Obamateurisms (or a week of listings of how The Precedent doesn’t know the US).
progressoverpeace on April 19, 2009 at 12:35 PM
A reporter asked the idiot messiah about his CUban policy espoused in 2004. His answer, “@004 … that seems like eons ago.”
What a total, friggin’ POS.
progressoverpeace on April 19, 2009 at 12:38 PM
So tough to choose just one.
Here’s a suggestion for tomorrow’s- after announcing a reversal on the Bush administration stance on not taking part in the Durban Israel-bashing conference, Obama’s team has now had to walk out- because there’s too much Israel-bashing going on.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25356427-5013871,00.html
Jay Mac on April 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Sorry, but his press conference is chock full of Obamateurisms:
He just called on a reporter (Bill Plant) who WASN’T THERE!!!!!
progressoverpeace on April 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Toss up between:
Dear Leader is clueless when it comes to our economy & security, which are the two main things He has to deal with.
rbj on April 19, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I am not being facetious (just lazy because I didn’t want to read through all the comments) when I posit that some of the much brighter than I commentors here must have realized what just now occurred to me. The IHS thing was not an amateur move. It was the move of a very professional politician who is perhaps more concerned with international acceptance than US. After all, when the French run a clip of his speech, are they going to translate the Biblical references?
TubbyHubby on April 19, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Why does Obama want to build our house upon Iraq? I thought he was going to pull out of there.
kanda on April 19, 2009 at 1:13 PM
remember when Chavez called Bush “satan. That must be why bambi likes him so.
kelley in virginia on April 19, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Three Stooges.
Daggett on April 19, 2009 at 1:23 PM
That was one of the worst puns I’ve ever seen, and I wish I’d thought of it first.
Daggett on April 19, 2009 at 1:24 PM
OBAMA
superstretch on April 19, 2009 at 1:32 PM
come on, Bishop, at least the back of a box of Wheaties has useful information on it.
Branch Rickey on April 19, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Not an organized religious type person but, definetly the Jesus quote and cover-up. As someone else put it – it’s so illustrative and demonstrative of the Liberalite fear of faith – in anything.
harry flashman on April 19, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Freedom Freeze
Chickyraptor on April 19, 2009 at 2:30 PM
French Freeze… teleprompter goes out, the real Obama shows up. Clueless fraud.
maladapted on April 19, 2009 at 2:36 PM
I voted “privacy” because he continues to slip during what is nothing more than canned messages delivering what the masses want to hear. However, taking credit for the SEALS op will come back to bite him in the long run.
califdreamnred on April 19, 2009 at 2:42 PM
It was because of The Precedent that the SEALs didn’t carry out the op when Captain Phillips went over the first time: President Obama Restricted Navy SEALs From Rescuing Ship Captain With Force
progressoverpeace on April 19, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Regarding Georgetown – Obama didn’t want distractions from the lesser Messiah
darwin-t on April 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Obama’s speech at Georgetown University was gaffetastic not only because of the requested stagecraft that covered over a symbol of Christ, but also because it combined an irreligious use of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount with a major symbol of Islam: The Five Pillars.
I don’t think Obama is a secret Muslim, but The Five Pillars reference certainly feeds the suspicions and beliefs that he is. It was a foolish thing to do and doesn’t even make logical or oratory sense. What does an economic policy built upon a foundation of Five Pillars built upon a Rock mean? It’s gobbledygook.
This speech is a powerful indicator that Obama’s true religion is himself; and that all other religions are simply mashed together, helter skelter, in support of his left-wing ideological paradise on earth.
Loxodonta on April 19, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Maybe I wasn’t clear…I agree with you and I know the timeline of what really happened. That truth will come out. Grabbing credit put him in a very bad position. The pattern of outright lies will crystalize in time.
califdreamnred on April 19, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I agree with you. I was just providing specifics for your argument. This story about The Precedent having held the SEALs back has not gotten any public play, so far. I’m trying to push the link around, hoping that Ed might write a post about it.
progressoverpeace on April 19, 2009 at 3:37 PM
None of the above they’re all busted political manipulations.
Speakup on April 19, 2009 at 3:59 PM
AMEN!!! +10
AH_C on April 19, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I always end up coming across as a wacky end timer or something when I get into discussions like this, but what the heck….
I vacillate between believing he is a secret Muslim and believing he doesn’t believe at all, with the odd moment of he definitely believes because he’s the anti-Christ thrown in from time to time. ;) Sadly, I never really trust that he is honest when he claims to be a Christian. The fruits just aren’t visible. I’m currently in Allapundit’s camp believing that “My president’s atheist!” and that he is simply trying to be all things to all people, and that you are correct when you say,
However, like I said, I vacillate.
I don’t want to make light of all this, because I think this is an important discussion, but I have been reading The Chronicles of Narnia series to my son and this all reminds me of The Last Battle, which we are about to finish.
Have you read it, and if so do you see any similarities?
All this makes me view C.S. Lewis as something of a prophet and I think he is clearly well versed in the Book of Revelation. Of course, that all plays right in to the end time theories, but it is rather entertaining to compare the stories with real life.
*spoilers, though you won’t get them if you haven’t read the book* Obama’s use of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount mingled with Islam’s Five Pillars compared to the use of ‘Tashlan’…very interesting, and I found myself trying to decide if Obama was the character of Shift or Rishda Tarkaan even before the speech at Georgetown. Then again, when he says or does something completely ridiculous, I wonder if he isn’t just Puzzle. (That’s also why I don’t seriously think he is the anti-Christ. Ha.)
Anyway, if you haven’t read the books, I highly recommend them.
Now back to our regularly scheduled serious discussion.
pannw on April 19, 2009 at 5:43 PM
It would help if on these you linked back an the original story on each. That way we can find out about those we may have missed before we vote.
Alana on April 19, 2009 at 6:42 PM
First: Sorry for the delayed response, I’ve been daydreaming. And given my age and constitution, I have that right!
Yes, I have read The Chronicles of Narnia to myself and to others several times. They are full of important life lessons that can be related to a wide variety of situations. You are doing a wonderful thing by sharing a great gift with your son.
Thanks for taking the risk to share your views about this issue. I think it is very important.
Loxodonta on April 19, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Obama has been a puzzle to me. How complete and destructive is his narcissism, anti-Americanism and leftist ideology? I don’t know. How superficial and incompetent is he? I don’t know. But, I knew enough to vote against him.
What might constrain him? What might help him unlearn and relearn to be better? I don’t know.
What might break the idolatrous fan worship and ideological machine of the MSM, so citizens will get more complete and accurate information about him and the impact of his actions? I don’t know.
So, Obama and our current times continue to puzzle to me.
But as I to try to figure him out, I don’t rely on C.S. Lewis, or Scripture, or the lack of his Birth Certificate, or al-Qaida training manuals. Instead, I rely on his own words and deeds, their traditional interpretation, and the consequences that can be directly tied to them.
This is why I so appreciate Ed’s work in critiquing Obama. He points out Obama’s errors without being unreasonable or going off on a rant. Ed has even agreed with Obama a few times. (Darn him!)
Loxodonta on April 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Finally, I can’t really argue against those who believe Obama is an atheist, the anti-Christ or a secret Muslim on a mission. I don’t believe any of that, but Obama continues to be a puzzle.
However, I am certain that those making these claims cannot prove it themselves, and that such unsubstantiated claims hurt our chances of winning in 2010 and 2012.
Keep your eyes on the prize!
Therefore, I try to restrict my own discussion to language that I can support with Obama’s own words and deeds, and try to be as reasoned and unemotional as I can be.
However, being an old man with an odd sense of humor, I forget things, make mistakes and may be somewhat confusing. And since I am a known right-wing extremist (according to DHS), I suppose I can get carried away as well.
The Obama puzzle needs unraveling so that we can do a better job of countering his negative impacts. So, please keep at it. Thanks.
Now, as you have caused me to think a great deal and write a far too lengthy response, my head hurts. So, I’m going to take a little break and daydream some more about being a detective, dressed in pajamas (not jeans!), and getting accosted by Grace Kelly. Hmmmmmmmmmmm …
Loxodonta on April 19, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Can I change my vote? The french freeze was really a teleprompter gaffe.
mike_NC9 on April 19, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Reminds me of the quote attributed to Bruce Lee:
“He who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is a fool. Shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not, he is simple. Teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows, he is asleep. Awaken him.
He who knows and knows that he knows, he is wise. Follow him.”
My feeling is that Balak Obama falls into the first category and that our pandering media is trying to make him out to be the final category.
/Thanks to jgapinoy for pointing out the Moabite “Balak” reference — I’m so going to shamelessly steal that.
AZfederalist on April 19, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Grace Kelly… Now there is a woman worth daydreaming about.
I think Obama is closer to being a Muslim than the Christian he professes to be. To say that we are not a Christian nation shows he doesn’t have a true sense of American history and how this country was founded. Look at all the Governmewnt buildings with Scripture on it. The Ten Commandments are on the doors to the Supreme court for God’s sake!
Finally I do wish Obama would quit apologizing to the world for the last 8 years of US policy. When you become President you take ownership of all of our past.
Kevin in Southern Illinois on April 19, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Oh, hell…even I know “Liberte, Fraternite, Egalite” and I don’t speak French.
TOTUS is such an embarrassment.
Dr. ZhivBlago on April 19, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Mr Obama told a press conference at a summit in Trinidad on Sunday, while promising: “I’m not going to simply put taxpayer money into a black hole.”
Schadenfreude on April 20, 2009 at 12:54 AM
I think that faith is unimportant to Obama. Church is a cultural thing, a social thing, a place to meet people and shmooze. I don’t think it’s a personal personal thing, or if it is personal, it is not at all strongly felt. Otherwise, he couldn’t mix up so many things about his faith or about the historic role Christianity has served in America. My guess is that Obama would be comfortable in any religious culture, he’d just switch behaviors and how he talks about his faith so he could fit right in.
I’m afraid that all of us who don’t blame America first for the ills of the world, are not going to be pleased over the next few years.
So, find your inner strength, say your prayers for our country, and fasten your seat belt. it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Loxodonta on April 20, 2009 at 1:06 AM
WaPo 4/20:
Obama to Order Cabinet to Quickly Cut $100 Million From Department Budgets
So, Obama’s going to cut less than 1% of the budget, and this is going to “signal the president’s determination to cut spending and reform government?”
Can the MSM trumpet Obama’s insignificant gestures as yet another profile in courage?
Yes we can!
Loxodonta on April 20, 2009 at 7:51 AM