Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on September 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
When Chris Matthews described Barack Obama as the last Kennedy brother, we assumed that even the White House would have a laugh over the ridiculous jock-sniffing of Matthews for both Obama and the Kennedys. Apparently not. Just a week after the death of Ted Kennedy, Obama decided to evoke Camelot for the cameras, using one of his daughters to pay an homage to JFK, according to the Times of London:
It is a clear homage to perhaps the most iconic White House photograph.
Almost 46 years after the world first saw two-year-old John F. Kennedy Jr playing under the Oval Office desk as his father worked, the White House has released a picture of Sasha Obama, 8, hiding behind a sofa as President Obama reads briefing papers at the same desk.
According to the White House, Sasha is sneaking up on her father as he nears the end of a working day behind the Resolute desk, which was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1879.
The original photograph, taken in October 1963, a month before President Kennedy was assassinated, shows John Jr peering out from under the desk as his father, like Mr Obama, reviews briefing papers. It was a photograph that helped to promote the image of Kennedy’s Camelot — the youthful President running the country with a young family playing at his side in the White House.
Didn’t this same President once warn people about politicizing his family? Candid photos around the White House are to be expected, but staging photos with his daughter so he can act like John Kennedy is not just hypocritical, it’s more than a little pathetic. And as the Times points out, it’s the second time he’s done it.
Here are the two photos put together:
The President has a lovely family and deserves respect for raising two intelligent daughters, but he shouldn’t be using them to attempt to make himself a faux Kennedy.
Update: A warning: remarks about the younger Obamas will get deleted and users banned. Leave the kids out of the line of fire, please.
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.
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Nah..he’s under the desk with Rahm
HoustonRight on September 9, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Hey link her to me too!
HoustonRight on September 9, 2009 at 8:49 AM
It would have been something to see a picture of Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky under the desk.
BigD on September 9, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Got a link?
Does Blatantblue have your info?
katy on September 9, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Under normal circumstances, I’d agree, but with the Narcissist in Chief, I wouldn’t be surprised if they video him all day long so that during evening, the family can watch what Obama did all day ….
” … yeah, that was the best work out this month. And four all-nets from the 3 pt line in a row; I still can’t believe it. Skip past the locker room, Michelle. We’ll watch that later. Now I’m in the oval office working just as hard as I’ll tell the kids I am in my Tuesday speech … oh, Sasha, you little scamp, I didn’t know you were behind the couch …”
Dusty on September 9, 2009 at 8:51 AM
First, I would like to say that was the most measured response you have ever posted. Bravo!
Second, do you know what vamped means? I would not use that in association with a child. Hammed would be more appropriate. Also, it was a staged as staged could be.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 8:52 AM
The fault in your logic is that just because they get captured on film doesn’t mean the press office needs to release the image. In this case clearly staged.
As for Palin, I’m not a fan but you people really need to get over your irrational hatred. Palin, with a special needs child and as governor of a state has a far better view of the healthcare system than, say, Barney Frank whose only interest is increased HIV funding for the obvious reason.
highhopes on September 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM
the speech for tonight which is 10 handwritten pages.
myrenovations on September 9, 2009 at 8:45 AM
myrenovations:Well then,that means its going to be at least
an eight hour speech,with Nancy jumping up and
down at least 60 times per minute!!hehe:)
canopfor on September 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Yes. We know.
Loxodonta on September 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM
If his poll numbers keep going down (especially after the speech) he will next stage a fake assassination so that one of his daughters can salute. Then three days later he will “rise from the dead” to bring healing (and health care) to our land.
tims472 on September 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM
A messy desk is a sign of a messy mind. And an empty desk is a sign of…
ProfessorMiao on September 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Hilarious. Watch for it, though, if his poll numbers drop any farther.
labwriter on September 9, 2009 at 8:54 AM
If that’s the same carpeting that was there when Clinton was President, I wouldn’t let my kid crawl around on the floor.
I think I see a stain by her left hand.
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Well that visual pretty much guarantees my watching Rockford Files reruns.
HoustonRight on September 9, 2009 at 8:56 AM
If not for Hot Air, I would not survive even ten minutes of an Obama speech.
myrenovations on September 9, 2009 at 8:56 AM
spacewife on September 9, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Yes, he does. Ask him to give you my work email address.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Chris Mathews can use that little door on the desk to visit “Shine”.
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Loxodonta on September 9, 2009 at 8:57 AM
It was just amazing to hear supportersoif this sham healthcare bill saying that the majority of people want this bill passed, that the majority of people support the president.
And the best line coming from Robert Gibbs….The president doesnt govern based on the polls.
becki51758 on September 9, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Will do. Thanks!
katy on September 9, 2009 at 8:59 AM
NO, a REAL boy would be behind the couch with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPhZsauluXM&feature=related
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Clearly I missed something.
Bleeds Blue on September 9, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Barry’s self absorbed immaturity never fails to astound me!
Does he really think we can’t see a staged photo for what it is? He “thinks things out” the same way my son did when he was eleven- “If I say it like, this, and I act like this, Mom will think, this.”
Didn’t work for him, isn’t working for Barry.
anniekc on September 9, 2009 at 9:02 AM
myrenovations:Well then,that means its going to be at least
an eight hour speech,with Nancy jumping up and
down at least 60 times per minute!!hehe:)
canopfor on September 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM
If not for Hot Air, I would not survive even ten minutes of an Obama speech.
myrenovations on September 9, 2009 at 8:56 AM
myrenovation: I agree,but I’ll watch it,just to see how well
the State Runned Media,claim it another histor
ical speech a ga ga!!:)
canopfor on September 9, 2009 at 9:02 AM
What exactly do you think you have missed?
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Well, first of all, I am not sure how Bristol being in People magazine to talk about about abstinence has anything to do advancing Sarah Palin’s goals or career, or that it had anything to do with Sarah herself. Bristol obviously wanted to do it and it was her article.
I didn’t see the death panel tweet, but Sarah Palin has said many times since her VP acceptance speech that, as the mother of a special needs child, she was going to work to advocate for special needs children. You don’t think special needs kids are going to be denied care under ObamaCare, especially as they get closer to the end of their shorter lives?
Featuring your children as an example is not the same as using them as a prop.
BigD on September 9, 2009 at 9:04 AM
I wonder how many ‘Takes’ it took to get this final picture.
TimBuk3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Clearly I missed something.
Bleeds Blue on September 9, 2009 at 9:01 AM
A lot of HotAir Posters are going to participate in the 9/12 Project’s March on Washington this Saturday. Why don’t you go up there and meet them? After the way you’ve spoken to people on this website, I’m sure they’d love to see you.
kingsjester on September 9, 2009 at 9:07 AM
0bama is meeting with Stuart Smalley for continued therapy this morning in an attempt to overcome his his self-esteem issues.
joe btfsplk on September 9, 2009 at 9:08 AM
No I get it, just like the National Parks Service won’t feel the need to give a headcount…even though the libs had tried to sue to get the NPS to “certify” the million man(divided by 10-20) march
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:01 AM
HA! Those were the days. I must have been a boy
and did not know it…wait…maybe it was because
I am a “country” girl.
spacewife on September 9, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Your info that I’m alleged to have. Or, is there a “Blatant” as well as a “bleeds?”
Or did I just miss a joke at my expense and compound it with this post?
I sincerely doubt that Bristol or any 18-year-old who’s had the challenge of a “premature blessing” and a dork boyfriend, and spent months under the media spotlight would voluntarily get back into it if it weren’t for pressure from a mom looking to score political points.
A prop, an example….same thing. As for the “special needs” thing, I think Steven Hawking remains an excellent example of the compassion that a more rational health care system shows.
Bleeds Blue on September 9, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Hey! Don’t sic him on me! I don’t want to be watching my back all weekend.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Blatantblue is another poster, sorry for the confusion.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Now that hurts. I thought I had your back. ;)
HoustonRight on September 9, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Kennedy had John Jr. under the desk. Clinton had Monica under the desk. Now Barry uses his daughter like a prop. I hope it’s at least a real picture.
Mojave Mark on September 9, 2009 at 9:16 AM
LOL…Excellent!
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:16 AM
[Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:01 AM]
LOL, I had one. It was kind of a bummer realize that, although invincible against all humans, a Yorkie could render me defenseless in about 5 minutes.
Dusty on September 9, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Well, good luck with that! If he were not a physics phenom, he might not have had it so good.
BigD on September 9, 2009 at 9:16 AM
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Don’t worry, Mom. He wouldn’t show up. He actually would have to come face to face with the people he’s been anonomously insulting.
kingsjester on September 9, 2009 at 9:17 AM
If you want the job, you’ve got it.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:17 AM
What’s next, the One donning a little sailor outfit and Michelle in a nurse uniform reenacting “The Kiss”?
Ed, I smell a Photoshop contest.
Minus the kids, of course.
pain train on September 9, 2009 at 9:18 AM
If that Air Force One flies out of that desk for a staged “photo shoot” we’re all in big trouble.
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:20 AM
LOLOL
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:20 AM
So, will there be a meet-up point for Hot Air readers? Not that I’m very good in crowds, or with meeting people, but I think it’d be pretty neat.
More on-topic – I don’t get the way Sasha is laying there. Very odd position, if she’s supposed to be sneaking up on her father. The whole thing looks unnatural.
Anna on September 9, 2009 at 9:21 AM
His daughter in a Shirley Temple dress and the both of them dancing up and down the White House steps?
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Those going to DC:
Does anybody know whether Ed or Allah are going to put up a separate thread for you guys so we who can’t go can get updates and reports, and communicate in general.
Several asked for it but I haven’t heard back.
TXUS on September 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Eh, Hawking was in his 30′s before the onset of his disabilithy and disease.
If there had been a way to diagnos him in the womb or at birth we are free to wonder how the NHS would have shown their compassion and rationality.
myrenovations on September 9, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I am going to start campaigning for one. That is a great idea. You could join us, you know?
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:27 AM
That would be nice!
Anna on September 9, 2009 at 9:29 AM
I was thinking Lady Ga Ga instead.
mizflame98 on September 9, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Update: A warning: remarks about the younger Obamas will get deleted and users banned. Leave the kids out of the line of fire, please.
I’m happy to leave his kids out of it. Wish he would.
SKYFOX on September 9, 2009 at 9:30 AM
I know I emailed Ed a couple weeks ago and never heard back. So I guess we need to get organizing. lol
HoustonRight on September 9, 2009 at 9:31 AM
As others have pointed out, his desk is remarkably free of evidence of the amount of activity you would expect of the leader of the free world..
It’s odd.
keebs on September 9, 2009 at 9:33 AM
My fault. I get so many variations on the name — most not nearly as polite as “Blatant” — that I was confused.
Bleeds Blue on September 9, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Only if the hat and gloves match whatever sleeveless dress she’s sure to be wearing.
AZCoyote on September 9, 2009 at 9:35 AM
TIme to Face Facts Ed.
Barack isn’t a Kennedy Brother He’s a Nephew and that’s why you haven’t seen his Birth Certificate.
You see, way back in 1960 Lil Rose Kennedy ( the Retard) was frolicking in the garden at Hyenas Port where she ran across the gardener little Leroy, who was tending the garden. Well one thing lead to another and they bumped uglies.
Leroy knowing he did wrong finished up told Lil Rose he was going “back’a ov’er my mama’s” and was never heard from again.
Well you can see what happened 9 months later. When little Rose pinched out the little black baby. All the Kennedy’s were aghast… and all little Rose could say was “back’a ov’er my mama’s”, “back’a ov’er my mama’s”.
Of course The Massachusetts ear heard Barack Obama and the Little Black Kennedy was so named.
I am sure Chris Matthews can tell you who the real Stanley Dunham was.
donabernathy on September 9, 2009 at 9:38 AM
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 9:39 AM
What a disgusting man. He uses his “friends”, his grandmother, his aunt, his family in Africa, then throws them under the bus. Are his daughters next?
Common Sense on September 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM
I’d love to, but won’t know until Friday for sure. If I can, I’ll have to fly in and out on Saturday. What time is everyone planning to assemble then?
I’m pretty flexible as to arrival and departure.
TXUS on September 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Nah Dear Leader needs them to be around until at least his fourth term…
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Excellent Policy. Will anyone be cleaning up the Green Room?
Mark30339 on September 9, 2009 at 9:42 AM
absolutely wonderful policy…..
I hear our stgrategy at the next Olympics is to start 100 yards behind the start line to make the 100 yard dash more fiar….
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 9:47 AM
I think we will gather at Freedom Plaza at 9 am and end at the Capitol steps at 1 pm. At that point there will be speakers. We are all gathering for drinks after the rally.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I think Obama’s kids are adorable girls. That being said, maybe he should try to establish himself as himself, not as the second coming of Christ or JFK or whatever.
Kids as political props has to be the most annoying political ploy ever.
mjk on September 9, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Don’t be throwing those ideas out there. Otherwise the next cabinet meeting will be posed like The Last Supper with Hillary Clinton odds on favorite to be in the position of Judas.
highhopes on September 9, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Eastern times, I assume?
TXUS on September 9, 2009 at 9:59 AM
DC’s in the east Tex…
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I know if I were President I’d help my image by trying to mimick William Henry Harrison
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Thanks for the geography lesson, Sport, but when two Texans are talking about meetin’ up in a foreign land, occasionally we’ll think in terms of our own time zone first. It’s just a Texas thang.
TXUS on September 9, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Whoa cowboy…
I still have my cellphone keeping Texas time despite my presence here on the US’ bad shoulder…
was just sayin’…the itinerary is likely in “DC Hellzone Time” given locale.
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:20 AM
JFK at least appeared like he’s working, our current president doesn’t seem to have lots of work that need his attentions and his executive decisions.
Sir Napsalot on September 9, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Thanks Ed, it’s nice to know there are still men of honor around…
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Pees Blue- you miss a lot of stuff. Maybe if you come out from under the desk you’ll catch a few things.
jbh45 on September 9, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Silence when confronted with recurring wrongs is not nobility nor honor.
The kids are off limits and since this is Ed, Allah and Ms. Malkin’s sandbox so is She-Wolf…..
if you expect either reciprocity for that restraint from the liberals or reward for it from the moderates the last 3 years says you need to rethink things….
American Idol nation is not the Greatest Generation.
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you.
Jeff from WI on September 9, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I’m thinking 250,000 minimum…
Ed, we need a post about the members who are going, so we can pray or wish for their safety. Also, are we going to live-cast it–or how do we get members tweets if that is how we will get info?
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I plan to recon the area…
if it seems safe I will bring my wife and son if it seems like the SEIU goon squad is up or the cops look frisky I’ll have them visit my foster brother.
We need to give serious thought to having self-defense seminars at every party if the moonbats crash it and start getting the notion we are chewy granola.
I pray for a happy, fun, safe, and understood gathering.
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:30 AM
The times I noted are in Eastern time. I hope you can make it.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 10:30 AM
so do I we need everyone we can get.
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Please play nice…
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I’m excited for you–will be thinking of you –boy am I envious!!! Next year….
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Sorry, shoulda sarc’d my reply. Glad to know you’ve infiltrated the enemy territory up there. You going to the rally?
If so, and if I can go, I’ll buy you a drink… or fight you for one. -_*
TXUS on September 9, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Methinks the release of this cute photo was timed to coincide with Obama’s speech to “schoochildren” yesterday, to give the impression that Obama cares about children.
Exit question: Why wasn’t Sasha in school? Or is she home-schooled?
Steve Z on September 9, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Nah it’s all good….
I’ll be there….I have been in love with Texas since I was first at Fort Hood…hell I love Texas so much even El Paso was liveable….
Texas is what Ohio should be.
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:38 AM
yes ma’am
sven10077 on September 9, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Good, and you can buy me a drink too.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Back at ya!
HoustonRight on September 9, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Maybe a little off-topic, but Stephen Hawking himself is not exactly a model of human compassion. He filed for divorce from his first wife, Jane Wilde Hawking, who had patiently provided for all his physical needs for years, and berated her for her Christian faith, and insisted that his new “lady love” accompany him while he gave his scientific lectures. The second “lady love” also filed for divorce in 2006.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books-stephen-hawking-the-man-who-mistook-his-wife-for-a-nurse-1112891.html
Stephen Hawking has been hailed as a brilliant scientific mind, but he seriously lacks gratitude toward others who have enabled him to become who he is. All those who idolize Stephen Hawking should read “the rest of the story” by Jane Hawking, from the link above.
Steve Z on September 9, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Damn, I KNEW I shouldn’t have paid the mortagage, or the electricity, and I should’ve called in sick for 3 days…
I signed into Allah’s fan club on FB–do you all have tweeter or something so I could follow along? (You could private message me at my facebook page.)
You guys realize that you are taking us along with you–we will be the whispers you hear…our spirit will surround you.
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I am new to twitter and pretty ignorant of how it works. I am tejasmomof3, though.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 11:08 AM
TXMomof3, I’m new to twitter also, only do it on my computer. Thanks, will try to get in touch. I work all weekend, but will be losing sleep, staying up and watching the boob tube for anything. You guys need a super large sign and need to let Glenn or Hannity know that a contingent from HA will be there. Maybe they will point you out, or *gasp*–have you on stage. If that happened, the neighbors would hear me whooping it up!
For you Texans–I have a nephew that lives in Plano. I loved Texas when I visited for his wedding. (Sidenote–I thought I drove fast–jeez–you guys are CRAZY FAST drivers!!!)
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 11:27 AM
FYI, we only drive fast in our trucks and cars. -_*
TXUS on September 9, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Uh, oh.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Be afraid, be very afraid–average cruising speed is 90mph…they have streets that run alongside the freeway where the cruising speed is 80….The cops don’t have you go to court when you get a speeding ticket–you just pay them right there on the spot…
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 11:43 AM
I don’t see a story here folks. Most people-if they saw the Obama photo by itself-would not recall the Kennedy photo. I really think we as conservatives need to stay focused on the larger issues rather than mettle with the one’s photo ops.
Alfresco on September 9, 2009 at 11:47 AM
tejasmomof3 is that your twitter name?
Could you private message me you FB page? IF you would feel free to do that…you can see my facebook by my name on the allah page…
lovingmyUSA on September 9, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I have to plead guilty. I average around 15 mpg in my truck. I cannot seem to help myself.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Yes, that is my twitter name. I cannot access FB here at work, $%#$%. I will log on around 5 pm tonight.
TXMomof3 on September 9, 2009 at 11:51 AM
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