Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on April 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Barack Obama on Tuesday:
President Obama suggested today that it remained a possibility that the Justice Department might bring charges against officials of the Bush administration who devised harsh interrogation policies that some see as torture. …
But in clear change from language he and members of his administration have used in the past, the president said that “with respect to those who formulated those legal decisions, I would say that is going to be more of a decision for the Attorney General within the parameters of various laws and I don’t want to prejudge that. I think that there are a host of very complicated issues involved there.”
Barack Obama on Thursday:
At a White House meeting Thursday, President Obama told Congressional leaders that he thinks it would be a mistake to set up a commission to investigate excesses of the Bush administration’s war on terror.
“The president said that given all that’s on the agenda and the pressing issues facing the country, that a backward-looking investigation would not be productive,” a White House official who attended the session said. “The president was very clear…that he believes it’s important that there’s not a witch hunt.”
Until Tuesday, Obama had consistently downplayed any idea of investigations into allegations of torture involving Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah. He reversed himself from a similar statement from his press secretary just the day before — and then when it became apparent that any investigation would not only include Congressional Democrats who signed off on the interrogations but the revelation of what got gained through the interrogations, Obama had to reverse himself again within less than 72 hours.
Maybe Obama should have considered the ramifications of his statement before he made it?
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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B.O.’s stand on anything depends entirely on which direction the wind is blowing at the time.
He is well on his way to making the Carter Administration look like the textbook model of strength in leadership.
pilamaye on April 24, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Maybe Barry O has a twin and they alternate days playing President.
JohnTant on April 24, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Show some waterboarding on a split screen with THE BEHEADING OD DANIEL PEARL.
Give ME the electrodes….I’LL BE HAPPY TO OBLIGE!!
seejanemom on April 24, 2009 at 8:12 AM
I think the very real possibility that he himself might come under investigation is responsible for his reversal.
doriangrey on April 24, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Besides…Monday morning quarterbacks make my ass hurt.
seejanemom on April 24, 2009 at 8:15 AM
You really are an admired optimist Cap.
Rovin on April 24, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Obama keeps floating all this far left garbage out to see if he can get by with it, like making veterans pay for their medical treatment. He has Soros and the Far Left Loons in his ear. The long he is in office, the bolder he is going to get and the more his Leftist political ideas are going to come out. Stay strong and hang on for a bumpy ride.
kingsjester on April 24, 2009 at 8:17 AM
long=longer
oops.
kingsjester on April 24, 2009 at 8:18 AM
If you cannot stand on firm principle, you will not stand firm on on anything. Since his firm principles are rooted in Tyranny and Socialism (which are always preceded by totalitarianism), he cannot act on his beliefs outwardly for fear of exposing his true agenda – not that we haven’t figured that out.
He will oscillate, he has no choice.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on April 24, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Nancy Pelosi: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall……
Rovin on April 24, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Obama reminds me of an old WC Field’s line:
Don’t do what I told you to do! Do what I tell you to do!
Loxodonta on April 24, 2009 at 8:20 AM
I’d like to think that a lick of sense did pierce through those one or two functioning brain cells in Bambi’s head, but somehow I don’t think so–his ego wouldn’t stand for it. I think, more than anything else, the Dems in Congress whose rear ends are going to get burned by this had a “Come to Jesus” moment with Bambi and told him to cool it.
Barack Obama: Failed President; Failed Human Being.
Matt Helm on April 24, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Over one million American patriots attended T.E.A parties, should America be attacked again that number will be in the ten’s of millions and it wont be T.E.A parties.
doriangrey on April 24, 2009 at 8:21 AM
I am so disgusted by this man. He has zero ability to think though anything; His administration picks, his policies, his opinions on foreign affairs. I will not believe that 73% of America thinks he’s doing a good job; That’s just not within the realm of possibility. Must be the media covering his scrawny butt. again. always.
anniekc on April 24, 2009 at 8:21 AM
But then again, it could just be that his teleprompter is a mean spirited little b*!ch and likes making him look like an idiot.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on April 24, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Obama uhs and ahs his way through everything he says trying to figure out the political ramifications of his choice of words and still shoots himself in the foot. How in the hell did anybody ever come to the conclusion that this guy is smart?
backwoods conservative on April 24, 2009 at 8:23 AM
I admit I’m confused. There won’t be a commission, but the DOJ can still do whatever it wants?
BigD on April 24, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Maybe Ackbar should have consulted with his own OLC before launching into his own witchhunt of unintended consequences in releasing half of the memos and redacted statements.
Playing partisan political games when our national security and the methods of gathering intelligance are at stake is not the hallmark of effective statesmanship nor leadership.
onlineanalyst on April 24, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Yep, the adults sure are in charge.
Pelosi probably went all shrew on his arse, given her most believable statement yesterday, and given he’s got that backbone made of a gelatinous material – caved.
tru2tx on April 24, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Prince Obama of the Obama Badministration
blatantblue on April 24, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Nice backtrack, flapjack. Good luck peeling the MoveOn nitwits off the ceiling.
Jaibones on April 24, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Waterboarding ain’t torture.
Listening to the illogical and duplicitous rhetoric of Obama and the Democrats is.
If we really were interested in torture we would issue Ipods, loaded with Obama’s speeches, to the prisoners in Guantanamo.
Greg Toombs on April 24, 2009 at 8:29 AM
O/T:
Hey Ed, Gawker’s using one of your descriptions of Duane:
“Jesus. How much prime-time is enough for Generalissimo Barack Obama, our “big brother?” Now he wants a fourth televised speaking opportunity in barely three months. How are the TV people supposed to make money?”
Rovin on April 24, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Yup. Never forget his ego. It is a powerful force in his decision making process. Add to that, he doesn’t tolerate advisers who dissent, and he becomes vulnerable to having his mouth run ahead of good strategy. He may not like Pelosi (who does?), but she is a tool he must respect if he wants to continue to run the country to the left.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on April 24, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Probably the best theory available. Because if that’s not it, then we’re left to believe that our new President is a flip-flopping nitwit who can’t keep his story straight from Sunday to Monday, doesn’t have a single animating principle, and has no clue what he is doing.
And that’s impossible.
Jaibones on April 24, 2009 at 8:31 AM
You are one sick SOB!
carbon_footprint on April 24, 2009 at 8:32 AM
That level of brutality would surely violate the Geneva Convention and the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
AZCoyote on April 24, 2009 at 8:32 AM
“I intend to close Guantanamo,and I will follow through on
that.I have said repeatedly that America doesn’t torture.
And I’m gonna make sure that we don’t torture.Those are
part and parcel of an effort to regain America’s moral
stature in the world”.
–On CBS 60 Minutes,Nov 16,2008, Barack Obama quote.
————————————————–
And,is Obama concerned about the Virgin seeking Jihadys
that seem to lack a wee bit of moral stature that Hopey
is hoping for!!
canopfor on April 24, 2009 at 8:33 AM
You are one sick SOB!
carbon_footprint on April 24, 2009 at 8:33 AM
All these flip flops are making me dizzy.
becki51758 on April 24, 2009 at 8:33 AM
You have to read the comments in the TV Week article. They’re funny.
BigD on April 24, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Thinking about it, maybe Barry’s in a tug of war between the hatred of the Bush Administration by the Far Left and the panic of the career Democratic Politicians to cover their rears.
kingsjester on April 24, 2009 at 8:34 AM
hahah They are! I dont know why he is doing this since at the last one he didnt even answer and questions and was so long winded.
Plus, didnt the viewership drop too? Im bettin the numbers will be even lower. I plan on watching Ghosthunters anyway. :)
becki51758 on April 24, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Sowing the seeds of his own destruction.
But, hell, there’s waffles for breakfast.
bloviator on April 24, 2009 at 8:40 AM
He must have read that Quote of the Day about President Palin prosecuting his administration in 2013.
KS Rex on April 24, 2009 at 8:41 AM
bambi is creating an uproar. he is doing it on purpose. and by releasing the photos of AG, he will undermine every American soldier.
keep your eye on the ball.
kelley in virginia on April 24, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Obama’s desperately trying to stuff Pandora back in her box*. I hope she kicks him in the nuts and continues to run rampant.
*Yes I know it was not Pandora in the box. Just for brevity’s sake.
amkun on April 24, 2009 at 8:42 AM
but heaven forbid that Michael Steele have anything to say.
my husband would absolutely love for me to be as “mute” as Michael Steele.
kelley in virginia on April 24, 2009 at 8:44 AM
It’s not like anyone’s paying attention besides you, Ed. You must feel very lonely sometimes. Still, I’m glad you’re out there.
SKYFOX on April 24, 2009 at 8:44 AM
I thought Obama wasn’t looking back,only towards the
future!
Gee Wiz,maybe Obama can explain exactly what his
version of CHANGE is!
So far,in American political history,the single most
achievement that Liberals can take credit for,as after
getting into POWER is,
spending their whole term investigating,harrassing,going
on Political WitchHunts against the Republican Party!
And the Liberal Party does this over and over in every
Lefty Administration!
canopfor on April 24, 2009 at 8:45 AM
My bet is the Master of Distraction will orchestrate it so that the investigations proceed, under tight Dem control, even while he distances himself from them. Example: Behind the scenes, he gives Dodd the go-ahead to start his own investigation, while remaining publicly aloof from them.
petefrt on April 24, 2009 at 8:46 AM
ROTFLMAO… It’s ok, the visual image was worth the faux pax… ;)
doriangrey on April 24, 2009 at 8:48 AM
IT MUST BE TOUGH NOT BEING ABLE TO VOTE PRESENT !
singlemalt_18 on April 24, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Oboingo: “If my values and cherished principles prove inconvenient, no problem, I have others.”
mr.blacksheep on April 24, 2009 at 8:50 AM
This was my favorite, from Jen L.:
Where is Obama on the fall schedule? And how many episodes will there be?
BigD on April 24, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Dang. Meds haven’t kicked in yet. Sorry.
mr.blacksheep on April 24, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Jen L.’s “Kind of ironic that the big three networks put him in office with their biased reporting and now they’re literally getting stuck with the bill.” is pretty good.
If she puts it that way, more power to him.
amkun on April 24, 2009 at 8:52 AM
maybe we should get Dick Cheney as RNC chairman. he is articulate, media savvy, wants to win elections so he will be inclusive & he is an American.
and he isn’t MUTE.
kelley in virginia on April 24, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Like he did to the Queen of England?
MarkTheGreat on April 24, 2009 at 8:58 AM
IT was the best. Now I wouldnt be surprised if he didnt get his own series. heh
becki51758 on April 24, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Unfortunately, I get the impression “enhanced interrogation” under Obama will be somewhat like Steve Martin in Pink Panther, where he attached the electrodes to himself.
cs89 on April 24, 2009 at 9:02 AM
Exactly.
She hasn’t been heard from since.
Greg Toombs on April 24, 2009 at 9:04 AM
ZACTLY what I thought. Since when have the potential troubles of fellow Democrats – heck, anyone but HIMSELF – caused him a moment’s concern? He has a history of “no problems” tossing his friends and relatives under the bus.
inviolet on April 24, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Some out there probably still HOPE that there is a chance for Barry to CHANGE.
Now, does anybody know if there have been any patents registered for “Barry Beach Flip-Flops” sandals yet? A veritable fortune to be made there.
Yoop on April 24, 2009 at 9:06 AM
This (link) is a ridiculous theory but I can understand why some people’d be taken in by it. The man simply can’t stay away from the prime time cameras no matter how much of a jackass he looks. I vote overweening narcissism. How about you guys?
inviolet on April 24, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Daily change you can believe in.
the_nile on April 24, 2009 at 9:10 AM
What? You mean The Great Barry O isn’t open enough in his leftist leanings? :)
Highlar on April 24, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Oh, I’ve thought this since the primaries. The main focus of Barrack Obama was, is and always WILL be…himself. That’s the one thing The One thinks of before ANYthing else: how will I benefit from this, and the country can follow after?
Highlar on April 24, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Smoke and mirrors.
He’s already showed our hand to our enemies, so the damage has been done. Flip-flopping won’t change that, it’s just a distraction or worse yet, another exhibition of his extreme incompetence.
Thanks W, for keeping us safe.
fogw on April 24, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Yes Obama always considers the ramifications of his leftwing determinations. I mean he did that opposing the war in Iraq even if it meant genocide and a PR coup for Al Queda, he did that in deciding to meet with ruthless dictators without preconditions, he did that with his infanticide support bills in Illinois, he did that with the Porkulus Bill, he did that with his closing Guantanamo and outlawing of effective interrogation techniques against jihadis, and he did that with the release of legal opinions which give aid and comfort to our enemies. But, the country views him as ‘strong and decisive’ and that’s really all that matters.
eaglewingz08 on April 24, 2009 at 9:15 AM
I thought Rahm was supposed to be some sort of political savant. He is either not at a lot of meetings or he’s just an idiot.
It’s like they are all sitting around the Oval office going over a list of campaign promises and picking the “promise of the day”. Then they trot it out and wait for the applause.
rockhead on April 24, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Someone outside of the President’s administration appears to have influenced his decision. MoveOn.org and it’s chief financier George Soros is readying their version of the Tea Party protests with union/ACORN member paid demonstrators popping up at some predetermined date.
eigafan on April 24, 2009 at 9:16 AM
The polls….this president is poll-driven. Polls show just what I thought: People really aren’t that upset by the “torture” and see this as nothing but a witchhunt.
AnninCA on April 24, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I’m glad to see his newest flip-flop. But goodness, he’s a piece of work.
AnninCA on April 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Yesterday: Obooba says something vapid.
Today: Obooba attempts to put yesterday’s vapor back into the bottle.
This should no longer be considered news. It’s a daily occurance, pretty much.
Akzed on April 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Highlar on April 24, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Y’know, we all knew he was a Leftist. But all the talking heads said that he would govern from the Center. They were soooo wrong.
kingsjester on April 24, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Not only is Dear Leader backtracking on his previous pronouncement and setting a banana republic precedent for the US, The One is also punting the decision down onto the Attorney General.
“Gee, I would really like to move past this, but I’m only President, I was overruled by the Attorney General, despite me being a lawyer and Constitutional Law lecturer.”
rbj on April 24, 2009 at 9:22 AM
I do want to hear more from Dick Cheney. I sure don’t want to hear much from Michael Steele. Cheney can be the fighter. After all he is defending himself and the last Administration. He was under fire and it looks as if he “fixed” the situation. Obama is backing off right now, but that isn’t set in stone. I would hope Cheney keeps up the pressure.
I don’t see Michael Steele as the one to be out there on TV constantly. I know we want him to fight back, but honestly that isn’t his job to prop up the Republicans in Congress. They are supposed to be doing that themselves. They are doing a lousy job. Steele is supposed to be looking for folks that will stand up. We are the ones that need to be putting pressure on our own Congressmen to stand up. We cannot “hire” people to do our work for us. We need to keep the pressure on all of the folks that we think aren’t doing the job. The pressure has to come from us. Michael Steele is just one person, and we need to pressure him, too.
We deserve better government than we are getting. We won’t get it unless we demand it.
BetseyRoss on April 24, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Tell me about it. I got into some…great…debates with my oldest stepdaughter (who reached voting age this year…thank goodness my stepson sees the light and saw what an empty suit Obama was/is) about this. She would try to say how he sounds in his debates and speeches how he will just so govern from the center and bring everyone together. I would then merely just point out his entire history of voting in both the state and federal senate, and things he said in interviews, etc…she would just walk away in a huff with no real rebuttal. lol
Highlar on April 24, 2009 at 9:25 AM
They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No one you see, is smarter than he,
And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of sheeple,
Lying each day, to get his own way!
Everyone loves our Leader so dear,
Ever so kind and giving it’s clear,
Tricks he will do when dictators appear,
And oh how they laugh, when he is not near!
Barb Dwyer on April 24, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Congress can’t be trusted.
They would vote for amnesty like illegal spying.
The DOJ is the right move.
getalife on April 24, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Ahh, yes. The windy city school of politics.
nolapol on April 24, 2009 at 9:28 AM
FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP
I really hope he goes through with this and then suffers the consequences when his term is up. We’re not done fighting terrorists yet, and he’s going to have to make some tough decisions in the near future. It must have finally dawned on him that oooooops, this could blow up in my face! It’s already blown up in Pelosi’s and nothing could make me happier. She is a lying feckless rump.
scalleywag on April 24, 2009 at 9:31 AM
More and more will come out leaving the DOJ no choice but to prosecute.
You will see more pictures of prisoner abuse soon.
Then a very damning Red Cross report.
It is going get real ugly.
getalife on April 24, 2009 at 9:31 AM
When will the precedent crack under the pressure of his own party. I give him until the mid-terms. At which point the wind will be blowing so hard and from so many directions he wont be able to keep it straight and neither will anyone around him.
nolapol on April 24, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Bring it on, lightweight. We might as well bring this to a head.
Greg Toombs on April 24, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Gates is the key to this issue:
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-interrogate24-2009apr24,0,5884388.story?track=rss
Read it and weep cons.
getalife on April 24, 2009 at 9:35 AM
You have serious problems with reading comprehension skills.
fogw on April 24, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I’m waiting for the One to go over to Pakistan and shake the hand of Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah. Maybe he’s already gotten him an ipod.
scalleywag on April 24, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Remember, it’s not a real person, simply a trollbot.
rbj on April 24, 2009 at 9:49 AM
The President is right.
The DOJ said it will take a year to investigate and much more will come out.
getalife on April 24, 2009 at 9:58 AM
So, are you as ready to prosecute Pelosi and the other democrats who gave this a pass as well as the republicans? Because as Boehner(not sure how to spell his name) said in interview yesterday, these WERE bi-partisan decisions. There were democrats AND republicans who were briefed on these methods, and let them go. The difference now is, the republicans are standing up and saying “Yes, we were told and supported these decisions after 9/11 as a necessary step in protecting the sanctity and safety of our beloved country.” and democrats are saying “I have no idea what you are talking about. This was all the decisions of the evil Bush followers.”
You can’t punish one group without punishing the other in this instance. So are you for bringing down the House Democratic leadership over this, too?
Highlar on April 24, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Maybe they could turn it into an infomercial.
Have Mee Shell and the girls wearing JCPenney Hope jewelry, and have a toll-free number at the bottom of the screen you could call to buy.
Barack could demonstrate a ShamWow. He’s an expert on shams.
The Monster on April 24, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer
‘Stress test’ methodology could roil bank industry
COULD BE UNWITTINGLY
could be purposely
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 10:04 AM
The POR Economy
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Permanent President of the Optimist Club
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Obama permits police to brow beat defendants without legal representation.
But Obama endorses our Constitutional Rights to be applied to NON-CITIZEN ENEMIES OF OUR NATION.
“Spread the wealth” of human rights by denying rights to those who possess since there is only so much wealth in terms of human dignity, and it must be redistributed to those who abuse human rights.
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Bwahahaha
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 10:18 AM
KSH doesn’t seem too cut up about his waterboarding. He’s voluntarily pleading guilty to everything he’s ever heard of and asking for the death penalty.
Still, the left would call waterboarding avowed terrorists the thin edge of the wedge and the first step towards waterboarding people for jay-walking or speaking ill of the messiah.
Acutally the left would explicitly sanction waterboarding people who did the latter.
Ares on April 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Back to class, nap time is over.
Johan Klaus on April 24, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I think that there are a host of very complicated issues involved there.”
Tail chasing spin is complicated.
shick on April 24, 2009 at 10:40 AM
When has this president made ANYTHING clear?
Obama: “As I have always said…” (since yesterday)
Steve Z on April 24, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Obama quotes; “I am not a socialist”, “My muslim religion”, yet
to come “I did not approve of rendition, Pelosi made me do it”.
Johan Klaus on April 24, 2009 at 10:42 AM
If you put the unions with ACORN does that make a unicorn? :)
Steve Z on April 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
We all hope for the same thing. But it ain’t going to happen my wishful liberal friend because when Obama points a finger at those who he wants to demonize, four fingers point back.
There’s been talk and there’ll be more talk, but as were seeing now, in the end it’ll be a 180 reversal.
Two 180 changes equal 360. Sorry to dissapoint you.
shick on April 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Steve Z on April 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Thats one of the most irritating things about Ogabe’s speech patterns. He begins every boldfaced lie with “As I have always said.”, or “Let me be clear here.” Ever goddammed word that follows that is an outright LIE.
And don’t get ge started on the uhs and ums. What a dope this guy is…
daesleeper on April 24, 2009 at 10:50 AM
The libtard base who think waterboarding the scum of the Islamic world equals torturing innocent old ladies will vote for him no matter what. Obama knows this. He is not scared of them defecting one bit.
Speedwagon82 on April 24, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Aww, there isn’t a category system, so we can’t get a list of all the Obamateurism articles?
HotWeaver on April 24, 2009 at 11:31 AM
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