Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 1:35 pm on July 1, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
With the ongoing fiscal meltdown in the Golden State, the only example for which anyone should use California should be only as a warning to others. The Washington Examiner can hardly believe that Barack Obama thinks that California has been a success story in energy conservation, let alone hold it up as an example for the rest of the nation to follow:
While promoting his new cap-and-trade energy tax bill, which passed the U.S. House last week, President Obama revealed in a White House address on Monday his model for the nation’s economy – California. “In the late 1970s, the state of California enacted tougher energy-efficiency policies,” Obama said, noting that the state and its residents use less energy today per capita than the national average. “Think about that,” he said, “California producing jobs, their economy keeping pace with the rest of the country and yet they’ve been able to maintain their energy usage in a much lower level than the rest of the country.”
Er, California producing jobs? Even before the financial collapse, California had a higher unemployment rate than the national average. It’s been in double digits this entire year, it’s over 11% now, and will probably get close to 13% before leveling off. And what kind of jobs has California lost? The Examiner continues:
Between 2000 and 2007, before the current recession, the state shed nearly 21 percent of its manufacturing jobs, driving down its industrial electrical consumption by 21 percent. California’s industrial users pay electric rates twice as high as their Midwestern counterparts – which helps explain why so much heavy industry has fled the state. In addition to alienating its industry, California has also curbed energy use through exorbitant residential electric rates (50 percent higher than the national average) and massive net out-migration. Between 2005 and 2007, 2.14 million Californians moved to other states, while only 1.44 million people from elsewhere moved to the Golden State, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Don’t be surprised when the 2010 Census finds even more people leaving to escape California’s 11.5 percent unemployment. And, as jobs and residents fled California, its tax revenues have declined, while its politicians went on a spending binge, creating a severe budget crisis.
The California economy has gone belly-up, and was declining even before the crisis, which is why revenues had fallen short of expectations for the last couple of years. If Obama thinks the rest of the nation should have California’s economy and employment levels … that explains a lot about his economic policies, actually. (via The Corner)
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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Losing revenue with each tax increase and new regulation, California is hoping to make it up in volume.
And so is Obama.
Greg Toombs on July 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
**FacePalm**
upinak on July 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Is this guy for real?
These people are so unbelivably oblivious in their arrogance.
I have yet to see anyone make a convincing, non-partisan claim that this jackass has an ounce of sense.
Obama’s dumber than a box of rocks and just as worthless.
NoDonkey on July 1, 2009 at 1:40 PM
We will force you to install radio controlled thermostats in your home and make you recycle your pee into drinking water… Or else!!
Obama, the only choice for 2016.
James on July 1, 2009 at 1:40 PM
You think that’s a joke?
Daggett on July 1, 2009 at 1:41 PM
At least we know what Obama’s end result is expected to be. So, that’s nice.
lorien1973 on July 1, 2009 at 1:41 PM
They actually are an example of what to expect with the inmates/Dems in control of the asylum.
n0doz on July 1, 2009 at 1:41 PM
If Obama says that it is true, it is true.
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Can we all agree now that either he’e either delusional or a complete idiot?
TrickyDick on July 1, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Did he say “I’m an idiot and will resign immediately!”
Because that I would buy.
NoDonkey on July 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
While we here at HotAir, 0.000001% of the Nation, listen everyone else is picking out the dog’s name. Barry knows the MSM won’t call him on it. The people will be allowed to moo and munch grass.
Limerick on July 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Sometimes Obama slips up and is honest. His goal is to copy the Kalifornia experiment to a National scale.
Indian Reservations for everyone!
cntrlfrk on July 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
This guy is the living, breathing, textbook example of stuck on stupid.
pcpower1 on July 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Obama has had a complete break with reality. No amount of MSM cover can help him if he keeps this up.
forest on July 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Just settin’ the stage for a bailout. Have to get the rubes warmed up first. How better to reward such stellar administrative performance?
a capella on July 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM
California has engaged in “holier than thou” politics” for years, not allowing additional oil drilling, or refineries, electric or nuclear power plants to be built in the state in the name of “environmentalism”. In turn, they’d buy their electricity and refined oil from surrounding states, keeping THEIR hands “clean”. Of course, they paid more, but, hey, they’re helping the environment. Thtttttttttt
One good thing to come out of California going broke might be the end of free handouts to illegals, forcing them back to Mexico. We can only hope. Otherwise, having lived in California from 1982-92, I have no sympathy.
bradley11 on July 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
California is the Obama Paradise. Unions get whatever they want. And the unions take care of the politicians. It not even worth noting that there is high unemployment and a tanking economy. The important thing is that unions and politicians do for each other as God intended.
snaggletoothie on July 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Two words… rolling brown-outs. I guess energy “conservation” has the same nuance as creating or “saving” jobs…
Neo-con Artist on July 1, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Seriously? This guy is a total dumb F–k.
milwife88 on July 1, 2009 at 1:47 PM
what’s that? as california goes the country goes…i hope not…
SHARPTOOTH on July 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I, for one,
for rolling blackouts! Imagine what fun you can have in the dark – trying to watch a baseball game and WHAMMO! No power! Trying to cook some dinner on your electric stove and PRESTO! Instant time-to-make-a-campfire-time! In the middle of trying to pay your bills on-line, and ABRA-KEDABRA! Away from that computer with you, knave! Your hard drive is a shambles now anyway!
Bring it on!
/sarc
crazy_legs on July 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM
And along with the lawyers, none of them produce a damn thing that anyone in their right mind wants to pay the going price for.
Which is clearly unsustainable, but that escapes the brilliance of our Harvard Educated president.
NoDonkey on July 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Straight out of Goebbels/Alinsky.
the_nile on July 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I wonder how horse and buggies are going to work on the Freeway? Jobs!!! Picking up horsesh*t on the Freeway. Oh, wait, there’s that “methane” thingy. Never mind.
NJ Red on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
How am I going to power my electric car on the grid Obama built?
James on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Different state. Same issue.
Well, I just got off the phone with Snowe and Collins’ offices (AGAIN, for the umpteenth-millionth time). I let them know if these senators vote for this legislation, not only will I never vote for them again, I will actively campaign AGAINST THEM and vote FOR anyone who opposes them… even if it’s a dem.
If anyone on this blog wants to call their offices, PLEASE DO. Just lie and say you are from Portland (zip: 04101), and say you choose not to leave an address. We need to clog their phone lines! These two are the worst of the worse.
Snowe: (202) 224-5344
Collins: (202) 224-2523
Call them! Please! I’ve called so many times they’re starting to know me by voice.
ErinF on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Oops. Should’ve been italics. That kind of takes away from the joke.
crazy_legs on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
The stink of it is regardless of if the MSM calls him on it or not, the sheeple will applaud and believe it.
At my wits end here.
HoustonRight on July 1, 2009 at 1:50 PM
is it oboobi or his staff, you know (the best administration evahhh) that think this sh*t up…
SHARPTOOTH on July 1, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Um… Last time I lived out there was when they were having rolling blackouts because demand was exceeding capacity. That certainly is one way to lower energy usage- turn off the grid! It also hearkens to America’s role as the world’s most powerful third-world dictatorship. We are months away from such a distinction.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 1:51 PM
He’s not delusional, and he’s no idiot. He is a very smart marxist who knows exactly what he’s doing. He is “in” with the enemy. Just look at his track record so far: every move he’s made has strengthened our enemies and weakened US. His plans are going perfectly according to his desires.
ErinF on July 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Good – if we can’t touch them, at least we can make the people who work for them miserable enough to someday quit.
NoDonkey on July 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM
We’ve always been at war with Eastasia.
peski on July 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Even Joe Biden’s like, “Wow man, that’s dumb”.
LibTired on July 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Interesting post. If our energy consumption is regulated and you exceed the mandate usage and pay hugh penalties then what happens to the huggers with electric cars?
HoustonRight on July 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Does anybody think that your utility bill is falling into the same category as your driver’s license or social security number?
Proof of identification and proof of your energy usage.
sherry on July 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Memo to the GOP:
Be sure to track down and save video clips of each Obamateurism. They might come in handy in 2012 if a credible candidate emerges from the party.
EconomicNeocon on July 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
In Barryland facts are irrelevant.
Stuff doesn’t have to be true, you just say it.
After all, it’s not like anyone’s going to get to question him on it.
Certainly not our trusty stenographers of the press.
PaddyJ on July 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Is it just me or have others noted a real anger building among friends and neighbors over this wholesale destruction of America? I’m not talking about HA and internet friends but among the population in general.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
This is minor compared with the rest of his idiocy, but San Diego is 72 degrees just about every day and San Francisco’s temperature doesn’t change a whole lot either. Think the climate might have an effect on energy use? Most cities in the US have climates that are cold in the winter and hot in the summer requiring heating and AC use.
forest on July 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
And don’t forget the DEMOCRATIC push to “deregulate” electricity several years ago that was going to ‘save’ money. Result: Electrical rates 50% higher than before deregulation.
GarandFan on July 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Oh..oh yeah, Ed? Well. well… George Bush talked funny! No blood for oil! No blood for oil!
/clueless hippie
Nethicus on July 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM
We know somebody is living in LaLa Land…….
Mallard T. Drake on July 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I don’t get it, why doesn’t Kalifornia just create a bunch of green jobs?
cntrlfrk on July 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM
So whose face is on all those IOU’s that are being issued by California?
I can’t wait to follow California’s thriving, energy conserving economy.
VibrioCocci on July 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Didn’t President Sh*t for Brains hear anything about the rolling brown outs and black outs in Cali a few years ago? The CA power grid is also a collasal failure. It cost Grey Davis, another brain donor, his job. Lucky him.
DrW on July 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I didn’t even have AC in the places I lived along the coast. Didn’t need it. Perhaps the filthy liar in the White House could start the ball rolling by turing off the AC to the White House. In July/August. In DC. That would shut the bastard up for a few minutes at least.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM
20 years from now, when IC engines are outlawed and a wimpy 30MPH solar car with an 8 mile range is the only thing available to the consumer, there will be areas of the country where IC cars are meticulously maintained and fuel is stored in reservoirs. Prohibition on GASAHOL is near. Cuba is stuck in the 50s car wise, we’ll be stuck in the 2000s. Segways will be made by GM and Chrysler and given away by lottery to citizens most worthy.
FORD, how dare they not take gov’t money, they think they can go around Obama Motor Group? They will be driven out of business thanks to gov’t policies that will favor the gov’t owned car companies.
Obama, the only choice in 2016.
James on July 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM
About 50/50 Those who keep up with things are extremely angry. I still get too many blank stares when I bring up dollar devaluation, Cap and Trade, Etc.
HoustonRight on July 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM
They might also be used to help with the indictments for treason that will be coming if America ever wakes up and sees that we are quickly installing a dictator and an unelected government.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Their cars and energy usage will be subsidized by anyone who isn’t a tree huggin’, electric car drivin’ Obamabot.
VibrioCocci on July 1, 2009 at 1:58 PM
He conveniently ignores facts when it doesn’t suit him.
OT: he is holding a town hall right now on his government takeover of healthcare. I may have to turn it off as I just ate lunch and would like to keep it down.
Miss Molly on July 1, 2009 at 1:59 PM
It’s not just you. On my cruise over in Europe the past two weeks, everyone, and I mean everyone on board my ship (145 people) are scared to death at what Barry’s doing, including the folks who were from California. It was the hot topic of every conversation.
I was shocked.
Knucklehead on July 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM
ummmm Hey Barry Hussein, KOWEEFORNEEA IS BANKRUPT you horse’s A$$…..
SDarchitect on July 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM
When the only job still available is fruit picker, hostile homeless bum or worthless politician, how much energy will they really consume?
NoDonkey on July 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
That’s not minor, that’s right on.
LibTired on July 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
You’d think we could go just one day without having to hear or see this guy. I know, I know, pie in the sky hopes.
HoustonRight on July 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Actually it explains better than any other of his ‘pronouncements’ what his administration is based on.
Contrary to popular opinion he is not motivated by liberalism but rather by liberal dogma. If he was a true liberal then he would be able to modify his approaches based on new information. To ofter this statement shows that he can only repeat, and act on, themes and talking points that he has been subject to during sermonizing by his heroes. It tells me that his thought process is shallow, that it only looks at situations in comparison to slogans and/or talking points
oldernwiser on July 1, 2009 at 2:04 PM
What is beyond belief is that people actually believe what BO says is true…and the media never challenges his statements as illogical as they tend to be.
I live in LA. This state is in the sh..er. We have about 40 days left before Ahnold is forced to start closing their OVER subsisdized state gov’t handouts. The greenies have taken this once great land of opportunity and flushed it down the crapper. Green jobs can not replace what has been lost over the last two decades.
Them thar gold up in them thar hills? Not anymore, its just dried up scrub waiting for the next match to be lit.
jbh45 on July 1, 2009 at 2:04 PM
My loathing for this man ruining my country increases hourly.
ladyingray on July 1, 2009 at 2:04 PM
AC is now obsolete in Chicago. It’s 62 degree’s here again today and I’m wearing my sweats yet again.
Could someone call Al Gore?
Knucklehead on July 1, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Could anyone possibly be THIS stupid?
HornetSting on July 1, 2009 at 2:06 PM
It was real peachy when it was 106deg the other day and at 5PM the power shut off because they won’t build more power plants in my state, nuke and coal. I wasn’t angry at AustinEnergy… well I was because they are part of the problem, I was angry at every hippy and everyone of that stripe, including Obama and Pelosi. I have a newborn, a freezer full of milk, and a power outage that is directly attributable to the crap policies of environmentalists. Shouldn’t nuke plant managers, gas companies, oil companies, and the like be more instructive in our future grid buildout, or a bunch of marijuana induced lowlifes at the Sierra Club dictating how we live our lives…
Obama and his ilk have decided that smart professionals in the energy industry are evil and that enviromarxists are good.
Welcome to Obama’s America, where up is down and down is up and logical thinking is replaced with emotional thinking.
James on July 1, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Can you pay your Mortgage with a CA IOU? Seriously, is it a Negotiable Instrument?
PappaMac on July 1, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Ogabe is having another town hall meeting? Oh thank GAIA! I didn’t think I could go 48 hours without having Odumbshat preaching to me from behind his teleprompter.
Bishop on July 1, 2009 at 2:09 PM
O/T: Take some time out to play a fun game!</a>
VibrioCocci on July 1, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Oh man, I just heard on Rush as Helen Thomas was ripping Gibbs about the set-up questions at Ogabe’s press conferences.
Helen Effin Thomas…man, this is comedy.
Bishop on July 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Hey Boss, I can’t make it into work today because the sun is blocked by something called clouds. I can’t call you either to tell you I can’t make it in because my cell phone relies on towers powered by a grid that has no power in it right now because Al Gore is busy playing Wall Street with energy again.
Who’s kidding who, I have no boss cause I have no job because all the green jobs were given to politically connected folks who drank the koolaid.
Don’t even get me started on how my doctor treated me yesterday. He treated me like some kind of cow in a pasture. He looked at me in such disgust, especially after he scanned my biochip which identified my reading list and exercise regimen. If I have to get on that damn powerwheel again for the good of society…
James on July 1, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Just when you think Barry’s stupid, he does something deviously evil. And then when you think Barack’s a devious devil, he does something completely stupid. My only hope is that Barry wins.
Loxodonta on July 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
For an idea of how well California manages taxpayer money, check out the web page for the San Francisco fire department. Rookie firemen make
$70,486-$98,670 per year, TO START.
Cops in San Fran make nearly $70K to start too.
bradley11 on July 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
At least if he keeps talking he reveals himself more and more to the real heart of who he is and what he wants to do. It might be key to his eventual fall from grace.
Miss Molly on July 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I have never bought in to the “Obama is consciously, actively trying to destroy America” school of thought, but with every passing day he’s making it more and more difficult to not believe exactly that.
29Victor on July 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Yes. Let’s hope Barack fails and Barry resigns.
HornetSting on July 1, 2009 at 2:18 PM
The first time I lived in California, somebody told me that you need to move away to appreciate the state and when I did leave, I’d miss it. Three years later I did leave and had no regrets.
Then about 10 years later I reluctantly did move back (the heel marks from being dragged back are probably visible from space) because my employer at the time didn’t give me a choice. It was awful. I was paying big money to live two doors away from a 1000 sqft condo housing about 15 illegals who would be in the backyard smoking and drinking till early in the morning. Complaints to the property manager were a combination of “what do you expect me to do” and accusations that I was somehow a racist for not wanting to live next that environment. Throw in the fact that my Congresswoman was a nutjob who wanted federal dollars for gang tattoo removal and it just wasn’t my kind of place.
I changed employers and got the hell out of California and have never looked back with regret. I did make some very good friends there but as for the state government….. Let it go down in the flames of its own making. The Democrats have mismanaged the state for decades and the chickens are coming home to roost.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 2:18 PM
If Obama said 2+2=5, half of the country would buy it.
Star20 on July 1, 2009 at 2:18 PM
How much more proof do you need? Marshal Law Declared?
HornetSting on July 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Those figures aren’t too unrealistic in a city where rents are absolutely unrealistic. If you are paying 2,000/month for a rat trap apartment in SF and making $70/year before taxes that comes out to a significant percentage of your income for housing (p.s. for you math geeks out there I didn’t get specific because cops/firefighters get overtime and other ways that “making” 70K/year may be much more or not).
I’d like to know what happens when the state employees stop getting paid.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 2:23 PM
And call you a racist for suggesting otherwise.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Obama bails out CA. What else can happen? The Feds will appoint some “financial oversight board” which will be made up of lunatics and drunks of the leftist persuasion who will dole out YOUR money to CA’s dependent classes and political masters. Seriously, what else could happen????
JiangxiDad on July 1, 2009 at 2:26 PM
So even Texans take it, huh?
JiangxiDad on July 1, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Obama appoints a California Financial Oversight Czar: Cynthia McKinney.
Loxodonta on July 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Let’s all hope and pray for the wonderful people of California and for our hard working President.
Jeff from WI on July 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM
more like **handjob**
CynicalOptimist on July 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM
This is a gross insult to rocks…which always have managed to hold up their end.
landlines on July 1, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Great idea, perfect choice. Look for the announcement of the bailout and app’t just before the start of the long july 4 weekend. The SRM will be ordered to simply shut up about it.
btw, I heard on CNBC that Barney Frank has already publicly stated that he would like to use TARP $ to bail out CA.
JiangxiDad on July 1, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Then Michigan and Ohio gets in line as the other states demand to know what about them. I think it likely that California will get a bailout because the filthy liar in the White House has yet to say, sorry we can’t afford that to any of his special interests and California is filled with the bastards who put this Chicago street thug into office. Not to mention the whore running the House of Representatives lives in the middle of Sodom-by-the-bay.
This is a time for tough love but I don’t think this administration is willing to be the tough parent. What I am hoping for is that there will be a taxpayer revolt when people figure out that they are the ones paying for state-mandated condoms programs for first graders.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Oh Lord,please help the wonderful people of California, both citizens and non-citizens, as well as our wonderful President.
Jeff from WI on July 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Here’s a better idea. Just offer the state up for sale on E-bay.
highhopes on July 1, 2009 at 2:39 PM
The one has spoken!
So let it be written.
Please!!!,..let it not be done!!!
christene on July 1, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Nah, they’d demand it for “free”.
ProfessorMiao on July 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Easy frontrunner for Obamateurism of the Week.
tom on July 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
But that would be a half-truth. He’s not about to resign.
tom on July 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Californians use less per capita energy but this is the state of the rolling brown-outs. So sure, you’ll use less energy too if you flip the switch and there’s none there.
Come cap-and-trade and we will all be where’s-the-juice Californians.
curved space on July 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Well yeah, that’s what we’re all praying for. And it’s the only thing that will work. When do we start? First the 7/4 tea parties (there’s one scheduled in NYC for tonight at 6:30), then coordinated sick-outs and general strikes. The taxpayers can close down America whenever they choose to by simply staying home at the same time.
JiangxiDad on July 1, 2009 at 3:10 PM
The GOP could and should have done this last year.
the_souse on July 1, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Don’t forget the big march on Washington planned for 9/12. Join the Resistance. Defeat the Obama gov’t.
JiangxiDad on July 1, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Obama’s shooting for a broken clock argument here: just because California sucks at everything else doesn’t mean that they’re wrong about their energy policy. As much as I love the thought of saving the environment (when it doesn’t involve this global warming/climate change nonsense), I can’t get behind Obama’s reasoning in light of the stats Ed has provided.
TouchingTophet on July 1, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Couldn’t that also be partially attributed to all the industrial users that have left the state.
And,how about all the furnaces that don’t have to run in all those homes during winter months? At least as much as they do elsewhere.
oldernwiser on July 1, 2009 at 3:15 PM
OBAMA THE USURPER.
This quote was from Feb.
JiangxiDad on July 1, 2009 at 3:16 PM
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