Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on July 8, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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How do I know it will be a good week for Obamateurisms? Whenever the President travels abroad, they come fast and furious. Yesterday found Barack Obama in fine form while meeting with an audience comprised mainly of Russian business leaders, clumsily reminding them of a transaction that still rankles the Russians to this day, as Reuters explains:
Referring to the long history of Russia-U.S. trade stretching back more than two centuries, Obama told an audience of business people in Moscow:
“Along the way, you gave us a pretty good deal on Alaska. Thank you.”
Czar Alexander II’s sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million in gold, around 1.9 cents per acre, was regarded by Russians as a national disgrace — particularly once it became clear that the province was rich in oil.
Reuters calls this a “pointed quip,” but unless Obama wanted to deliberately insult Russians, the only point is that Obama has still not figured out what diplomacy means. At its most basic, it means refraining from insulting people. (via Clyde Middleton)
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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did everybody chuckle?
Phoenician on July 8, 2009 at 8:07 AM
He’s got Alaska on mind. I wonder why. /sarc
promachus on July 8, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Not too long ago, the Dems probably wanted to give it back.
fluffy on July 8, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Incompetence.
pearson on July 8, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Doh!
Where in the world is Hillary?
cmsinaz on July 8, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Thanks, suckers!
Pablo on July 8, 2009 at 8:09 AM
I only wish Ogabe had meant to rankle the Russians, but it’s been obvious since day one that he is simply clueless and completely out of his element, like a 12 year old trying to carry on a geopolitical conversation at the adult table.
Now Reagan, he would have said such a thing with a twinkle in his eye and you would just KNOW that meant to stick a little dagger in the Russian kidney.
Bishop on July 8, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Stay classy there Obama…
cmsinaz on July 8, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Obama vainly tries to show familiarity with his subject, but never seems to understand what the issue means to the other side. He’s a clod, to put it mildly.
Suppose Queen Elizabeth was visiting Kenya, and quipped something similar. “Hey Kenyans, we made a bundle off of you over the years, thanks.”
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:10 AM
It is his pathology – his need to be liked – that stokes his ignorance on these matters. The problem for our community-organizer-in-chief is that he cannot understand that he is no longer talking to a bunch of locals gathered in a church basement or school auditorium.
singlemalt_18 on July 8, 2009 at 8:11 AM
I guess he voted present the day the concept of diplomacy came up in the college course that is his only foreign policy experience.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Smart power!
hillbillyjim on July 8, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Oh boy, can’t wait until he does the same thing
in Mexico…or Paris…or London. Real smooth
cozmo on July 8, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Why isn’t the Department of Law vetting these things before he says them??
e-pirate on July 8, 2009 at 8:14 AM
*sigh*
Yeah…those were the good old days…
ladyingray on July 8, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Proves once again that his knowledge is superficial and that his primary motive is always to try and make people think he’s cool.
oldernwiser on July 8, 2009 at 8:14 AM
But he won. Nobody elses opinion matters in Obama’s world. He is a child among adults and, as a result, America is an international joke.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Telling Venezuelan TV that Iran should be hit with stricter sanctions.
Phoenician on July 8, 2009 at 8:15 AM
I blame it on the teleprompter.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Why did the Russians sell Alaska? Was it because they had spent more money than they had and needed some cash?
Keep yukking it up BO, soon we’ll be selling half out country to help pay for your waste.
forest on July 8, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Once again, the 20-something speechwriters, with their complete ignorance of anything but the here & now, give Big Guy a dud of a one-liner. Like Ron Burgandy, he makes it worse by reading anything that’s put in front of him.
KS Rex on July 8, 2009 at 8:16 AM
As if President Windmill will allow us to have that oil.
pearson on July 8, 2009 at 8:17 AM
still do
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:18 AM
His chief speechwriter is, I believe, very young with little knowledge of history. This isn’t the first time that Obama has misquoted or mischaracterized someone or something. Apparently, the president’s knowledge isn’t any better. Dangerous incompetence.
4Freedom on July 8, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Cute.
KS Rex on July 8, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Yup *wipes away a tear*, Reagan could say “We start bombing in five minutes” as a joke and yet it had just the perfect amount of menacing resolve behind it that everyone implicitly understood.
Ogabe is a doof, a socially clumsy oaf, who will always manage to say the wrong thing no matter where he goes.
Bishop on July 8, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Good point. For some reason, I can see Obama in 2015 offering to sell it back for the money to support his ninth stimulus package.
pearson on July 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM
That’s because he’s played the aggrieved minority game his whole life (not to mention the race card to win the election.) To be honest, in the America in which he lives, nobody else’s opinion but minorities do matter. But white guilt doesn’t travel beyond the US and W. Europe.
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM
But he WON!!!
ladyingray on July 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM
someone else’s wrong doesn’t make the POTUS’s right
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Ah..um..ya..how should I ah..ah..um..say this..
um..ah..boy..um..did we screw you over,ah.um ..
but no..ah..seriously..um its cold here..um..ah..
in..ah..um..shoot I um..don’t ah..know..um..what
country..ah..um..in,”MICHELLE baby,ah..um..are we
in..ah Moscow..ah.um..or ah..Denmark..ah..um..(Snark).
canopfor on July 8, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Bearding the lion….
….or screwing the pooch?
hillbillyjim on July 8, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Obama needs a speech Czar.
pearson on July 8, 2009 at 8:23 AM
You mean he didn’t apologize for our purchase of Alaska?
Tonus on July 8, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Remarkable, isn’t it?
ladyingray on July 8, 2009 at 8:23 AM
And a Russian shot back:
“That great deal is gonna smoke your ass in 2012.”
Sapwolf on July 8, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Using Seward’s Folly has only highlighted Obama’s folly.
ICBM on July 8, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Perhaps, he’s offer it back to them???
doriangrey on July 8, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Did you check out her picture on Drudge? She dWarfs even her hubby.
genso on July 8, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Just wondering, but does ANYONE think this is slightly unusual??
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=103306
allahallahoxenfree on July 8, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Just because the speechwriters are morons doesn’t give the filthy liar a pass for saying this kind of crap and insulting audiences. Presumably the bastard has knowledge of more than the here and now but I have my doubts. Obama has drifted through life as the poster child for all that is wrong with affirmative action. He is a Harvard Educated but culturally illiterate and impared by his utter ignorance of anything but himself.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:26 AM
The simple fact that we have this ignoramus in the white house makes me embarrassed to be an American. This bungling maladroit is destroying our country at an alarming rate, while no one stands up to him. Are we so far gone as a country that we elected the person without any executive experience and really nothing to show for his brief time in the senate? Of course all of us who did not vote for him did so because we saw this coming to a degree.I am afraid that our president is merely a reflection of the culture as a whole. Indolent,ignorant, and self-centered.
jonas131 on July 8, 2009 at 8:27 AM
I had the same thought. I guess all that racist hatred is good for growth.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:27 AM
What a putz. He thinks he’s clever, which is just a Harvard Law form of stupidity.
Jaibones on July 8, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Maybe,somebody should tell the Ruskies,to get over selling
Alaska to the United States Of America,and should worry more
about,the disputed,and on-going bickering,as to who owns the
Kuril Islands,Russia,or Japan!!
Piff,Alaska is non-negotioable!!!
canopfor on July 8, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Just a simple rewrite of history. Pay no attention to it.
genso on July 8, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Obama trying to blame it on Palin?
As for that bargain basement sale? In the US it almost brought down both a President and a Secretary of State….”Seward’s Folly?” That $7mil was a huge chunk of the US national budget…almost broke it.
As for the Russians…the Tsar had accumulated a huge personal debt…and Alaska as a way to pay off most of it, the Russian people got nothing from it, just the Romanov’s and the oligarchs around them. [Putin and the oligarchs ("tsiliviki") are doing the same today.] What t he Russians lost by giving away Alaska, they never recovered, in terms of resources, in terms of being a major player pitted against Britain. [That Russian colony in Alaska stretched down into California…Fort Ross. Ring a bell? They could have controlled the entire west coast as a counterpoise to Spain…and had a huge amount of gold and oil and other resources at their disposal…and no ocean to ocean continental United States, either.
Excesses such the Tsar’s debt were a fundamental reason underpinning the Russian Revolution of 1917…
Let’s see, out of control leader, a leader amassing of a huge and growing debt, the people getting pretty much nothing, rule by dictat and multiple layers of lesser Tsars making decisions, no peoples representation, a leader seemingly out of touch with the rest of the nation…by George, those Russians are on to something.
Where the hell is my Revolution for Dummies?
coldwarrior on July 8, 2009 at 8:32 AM
The great int’l doofus is in Italy now at the G8. He’ll be backslapping and soft-shoeing in the talent competition.
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:32 AM
I’m sorry.
That’s worse than puking on the President of Japan.
Only a d/b ala Ron Burgundy would say something that culturally offensive.
bluelightbrigade on July 8, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Oops,ker-botched the spelling,should be negotiable!ugh.
canopfor on July 8, 2009 at 8:33 AM
This foot-in-mouth moment pales in comparison to screwing up about how/when he met his WIFE.
Russia couldn’t possibly give him the bitch-slap she can.
tru2tx on July 8, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Before countries were allowed to print unlimited amts. of money, without regard to gold, they had to sell land when financial problems hit. (Alaska, Louisiana Purch come immed. to mind). If we were on the gold standard today, Obama would be looking for buyers for Alaska, not making lame jokes. But, he was elected to destroy the US, and primarily he’s doing a pretty good job. That’s a sad but honest truth.
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:36 AM
we’re so thankful for alaska
we’re going to drop all missile defense in Eastern Europe
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:36 AM
OT: Did you see this, canopfor?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529667,00.html
Bishop on July 8, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Just a simple rewrite of history. Pay no attention to it.
genso on July 8, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Carry on . Nothing to see here.
allahallahoxenfree on July 8, 2009 at 8:37 AM
we’re so thankful for alaska
we’re going to institute SALT again
but the Russians won’t have to participate
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:37 AM
This foot-in-mouth moment pales in comparison to the comment about how he met his WIFE.
Russians couldn’t possibly compete with the tongue lashing he must have received by Michele.
tru2tx on July 8, 2009 at 8:38 AM
I would argue that the filthy liar in the White House is closer to Napoleon who sold the US Louisiana Purchase to pay his debts than to the Russian czars.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Ital. Pres.& wife kind of look like politicians. Obama looks like a used car dealer and his wife the line backer, like she’s on her way to the grocery store for some grits.
Jeff from WI on July 8, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Hehehehe…dWarfs…dWorfs…hehehehe
Bishop on July 8, 2009 at 8:39 AM
I’ve always felt that it would take another country to intervene to stop our destruction….especially given that we aren’t going to take to the streets and do it ourselves. There are still countries out there that don’t see their interests being served by our turning socialist.
genso on July 8, 2009 at 8:39 AM
And trying to talk Stephen Harper out of championing a call for greater sanctions against Iran.
ProfessorMiao on July 8, 2009 at 8:40 AM
But, he was elected to destroy the US, and primarily he’s doing a pretty good job. That’s a sad but honest truth.
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:36 AM
I hope youre wrong. I fear youre right.
allahallahoxenfree on July 8, 2009 at 8:40 AM
I don’t have a lot of faith in Med’s intelligence– he may not have figured out that this was an insult until we told him.
jeanie on July 8, 2009 at 8:40 AM
I’ll prob. get hell for this, but I think she looks great in that picture. I just wish she wasn’t so ugly inside. I do kinda find her attractive. Is there something wrong with me?
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:40 AM
i don’t think he will be successful, in the end
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Thanks. You know Ed and AP don’t like the direct references.
genso on July 8, 2009 at 8:41 AM
no
i’ve found myself finding her attractive from time to time
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Were the camera’s rolling when he said, “Hey, I loved Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto. Thanks a bunch.”
fogw on July 8, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Obama channels his inner Don Rickles.
What a hockeypuck!
jgapinoy on July 8, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Heh – good thing they have that “Reset Button” handy…
How many times do they get to push it?
Logic on July 8, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Nothing wrong with you at all, that is if you enjoy the thought of wrestling a bear.
That grim visage the Lieutenant always wears is a huge turn-off, like she is perpetually angry at something, anything. I like women who wear a natural smile, hers is forced.
Bishop on July 8, 2009 at 8:45 AM
that’s a valid point too
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:46 AM
Did you check out….
genso on July 8,2009 at 8:26AM.
genso:
E-gads,bright yellow daisy surprise! Well,the First Lady
Michelle OMama OBama didn’t waste this trip,she com’n
home,er the White House with new Russian drapes to redecorate the Oval Office!!:)ahem!(Sarc).
Oh,I almost forgot genso,your right,the First Lady is tall!:)
canopfor on July 8, 2009 at 8:48 AM
I do kinda find her attractive. Is there something wrong with me?
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:40 AM
No I’ve been there. But then i re-enact the shower scene from the Crying Game
allahallahoxenfree on July 8, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Well, it’s nice to see him insulting our enemies for once.
LibTired on July 8, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Hey, everyone has different tastes. I’m sure their are other guys, not just you, that like that Big Amazon Woman, braided hear under her armpits, she can wrestle full grown bears look. LOL..it;s just not my cup of tea.
Jeff from WI on July 8, 2009 at 8:50 AM
You would think that knowing her husband is giving whitey the biggest screwing in history would put a permanent smile on her face and uncontainable joy in her blackened evil heart.
doriangrey on July 8, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Did you check out….
genso on July 8,2009 at 8:26AM.
genso:
Dress from Tar “J” french pronunciation for target,$36.00 on sale for $12.95
Jeff from WI on July 8, 2009 at 8:52 AM
mm
blatantblue on July 8, 2009 at 8:53 AM
I don’t know. Dresses that have that much material are rarely made on spec. I think it’s a custom job.
genso on July 8, 2009 at 8:54 AM
Agreed. Where, or where are you, Hillary?
Upstater85 on July 8, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Are you kidding?!?!?! Obama can see Russia from his hotel room!
Shy Guy on July 8, 2009 at 8:55 AM
She looks like Big Bird
pearson on July 8, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Oooops or = oh…
Upstater85 on July 8, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Dress from Tar “J” french pronunciation for target,$36.00 on sale for $12.95
Jeff from WI on July 8, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Yeah but she didn’t need the fake women’s shoulder pads installed
allahallahoxenfree on July 8, 2009 at 8:56 AM
You definitely need to get your eyes checked out! Yes, they’ve softened Michelle Obama up by having her dress well but the angry black racist look is never gone from her face.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Agreed. This is a hard point to drive home, though…
Upstater85 on July 8, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Ding Ding Ding! Obama’s creating enough Czars to sell America proving a community organizer knows his history.
Rovin on July 8, 2009 at 8:58 AM
That’s the principality of Moscow where they speak Moscovian… It took him 1 day to find that country on the map. He exclaimed, “Wow, that’s bigger than I thought it was.”
Upstater85 on July 8, 2009 at 8:58 AM
blame it on Palin….
coldwarrior on July 8,2009 at 8:32AM.
coldwarrior: I see a demented sci-fi thriller movie here,
because I’m willing to suspend disbelief,and
believe that the State Runned Marxist Media
is capable of backing up a hundred and fifty
years to blame Sarah Palin!!:)
canopfor on July 8, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Smarterest president evah!!!!!!!!!111111111!!!!!
jukin on July 8, 2009 at 8:59 AM
*Obama in Beijing (wholeheartedly anticipating this one…)*
Chinese: “You know, we bought America’s debt… now we own her!”
Upstater85 on July 8, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Is there something wrong with me?
JiangxiDad on July 8, 2009 at 8:40 AM
You definitely need to get your eyes checked out! Yes, they’ve softened Michelle Obama up by having her dress well but the angry black racist look is never gone from her face.
highhopes on July 8, 2009 at 8:56 AM
And get the gag reflex examined while youre at it. Somethings not right there
allahallahoxenfree on July 8, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Arncha glad we finally got us one of them smart presidents?
I can’t wait until the USN names an aircraft carrier after him. Picture the USS Obama with faulty navigation, no intelligence capability, and operated by an agry ballerina. It’ll just float around the world on a never ending apology mission.
Laura in Maryland on July 8, 2009 at 9:00 AM
In Ogabe’s mind, he honors his hosts by setting foot on their soil. The content of his words don’t matter. It’s enough that he speaks to them at all. Don’t they understand that? Simple-minded Russians!
SKYFOX on July 8, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Shoulder pads from Riddell,linemans, XL $109.95
Jeff from WI on July 8, 2009 at 9:01 AM
After which, Obama will profusely apologize and give back all of the Chinatowns.
Shy Guy on July 8, 2009 at 9:01 AM
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