Aw: Stingy president stiffs daughters’ school with weak charity gift
posted at 7:28 pm on April 27, 2009 by Allahpundit
Fluffy fun on a slow news night. Look, as much as we’d all like to believe he’s the Superpresident, and as glad as we are that he and Michelle are “the planet’s hottest rock stars,” we need to cowboy up and face a hard truth:
The guy’s just not very good at giving gifts.
In 1996, a round of golf with Bill Clinton went for nearly six figures; another year Chelsea Clinton offered up her babysitting services to the highest bidder.
This past weekend was the Obamas’ first chance to participate in the Sidwell Friends School Dollars for Scholars benefit, and some families who remember the Clintons’ support are disappointed in the Obamas’ first showing.
According to a source with ties to the school, the only items up for bid from the Obamas included a signed copy of the Rolling Stone issue featuring the president and a signed copy of the January Vogue that featured the first lady.
“There were expectations that they might donate something more personal, like the Clintons did,” said another source who knew about the auction. “Lots of people were disappointed.”
Michelle’s anniversary gift this year: A Garfield card with the inscription, “Thanks for all you do — Best, B.” Some of our readers were goofing on him in the Headlines thread about this for being narcissistic in signing his own magazine cover, but that barely even rates on O’s self-admiration scale. We are, after all, talking here about a guy who goes around telling colleagues how gifted he is. Today’s official most self-regarding presidential gambit, in case you’re keeping score at how: Terrorizing lower Manhattan for a photo op of Air Force One.
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
OMG Bush is a Nazi. Bush is like Hitler. Bush masterminded 9/11. Bush is an idiot. Bush lied, kids died. Bush lied about Iraq. Bush trampled on our rights. Bush is trading blood for oil. Bush is a racist. Bush caused the Enron collapse. Bush caused the economic collapse.
The only problem is, most of what you’re babbling about comes from the fringe/wingnut element. What I’ve listed above comes from political leaders, supposedly sane
celebrities and talking heads, and the mainstream media.
Once again you’re associating Obama’s popularity polls with his success. I guess you have to be reminded that doing the popular thing is easy. Doing the right thing is hard, which is why Bush was an incredibly unpopular president.
The same people who were unhinged when it came to President Bush are now unhinged when it comes to legitimate criticism of their supposed savior.
TheMightyMonarch on April 27, 2009 at 10:13 PM
There’s no excuse for this one, or indeed, any of the lousy gifts. There is precedent. Clinton donated a round of golf, donate a damn dinner, how tough is it?
I guess we little people will never understand narcissism.
ORconservative on April 27, 2009 at 10:16 PM
I’m actually surprised that it was magazines and not a used, signed kleenex tissue. Class cannot be bought.
HornetSting on April 27, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Let’s face it, with Barry and Michelle, it’s all about “me”.
Let’s get used to it. Being self-absorbed, they are shitty gift givers.
GarandFan on April 27, 2009 at 10:31 PM
A signed copy of his birth certificate would have fetched at least ten million….
The video of him toasting Khalidi would have the school rolling in money….
His college transcripts? Priceless….
TN Mom on April 27, 2009 at 11:10 PM
It’s too easy to say they are a cheap couple. I think it is a bit deeper. In the minds of Barry and Michelle they feel their public service is enough. THEY are are gift, everyone’s gift.
I really think they believe this.
FireBlogger on April 27, 2009 at 11:28 PM
When you are giving away trillions of dollars of other people’s money, giving a small gift is below your pay grade.
Dhuka on April 27, 2009 at 11:46 PM
I pointed this out in the headlines… But the Obamas didn’t have to give any money, just a teeny bit of their time like the Clintons did. A game of golf with Billy Jeff was probably pretty fun (and not that expensive), because it would be amusing to see how often he cheats. Barack Obama couldn’t do something like that?? Michelle Obama couldn’t auction off a lunch with her, especially considering she is known to drop thousands at exclusive restaurants in Chicago? I’d think that both would be really bad company as both are very self-involved, but I’m sure that the Georgetown set would pay boffo bucks just for the bragging rights.
Illinidiva on April 27, 2009 at 11:49 PM
The Obamas got their idea from Queen Elizabeth II! But instead of a signed and framed photo of themselves they opted to sign a couple magazines instead. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a box or two of these magazines set aside for important visitors.
eigafan on April 28, 2009 at 1:02 AM
He could have auctioned off a rooftop level ride on Air Force One.
BDavis on April 28, 2009 at 2:00 AM
FontanaConservative on April 28, 2009 at 2:15 AM
I don’t know why anyone is surprised – Obama went to Punahou School from 5th thru 12th grade on scholarships and he has never given one red cent to Punahou to help others like he was helped. Without Punahou, he’d be not be where he is today. The man is selfish. Beware the man with no charity in his heart.
Flag Gazer on April 28, 2009 at 3:03 AM
See, this is the wierd thing about Ears. For all of the “spread the wealth” and “help the less fortunate”, how can he reconcile not helping his aunt living in a project or his brother living in a 9 foot hut, OR pulling those poor black girls out of his daughters’ private school. Someone splain.
marklmail on April 28, 2009 at 8:16 AM
It’s not charity if it’s voluntary, for cryin’ out loud. Maybe President Obama can have Congress pass a law mandating that the First Family offer more assistance to the school? Then we’ll know it’s from the heart.
cackcon on April 28, 2009 at 9:12 AM
They are just awful and they and all the news media just can’t hide it.
perries on April 28, 2009 at 11:42 AM
NARCISSIST
Badger40 on April 28, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2