Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on September 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
How do you build a little bipartisan cred when you’re a President that has a radical agenda, and people have begun noticing it? The first option is to get on TV and start talking about all of the many people in the other party with whom you’re working, to impress the media and the voters with your commitment to reaching across the aisle. But there is a catch — you have to actually know their names:
We’ve worked closely with leaders in the Senate and the House, including not only Barney [Frank], but also Senators Chris Dodd and Richard Shelby and Barney is already working with his counterpart, Sheldon Bachus.
Sheldon Bachus? President Obama apparently hasn’t worked closely enough with leaders in the Senate and House to know that Rep. Bachus (R-AL) isn’t named Sheldon but Spencer.
Maybe the next time Obama works “closely” with Republicans, he’ll get close enough to learn their names.
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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Classic!
truetexan on September 17, 2009 at 8:07 AM
It’s racist to point out Obama’s faults instead of demanding that Bachus change his name to fit the new reality.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Obama is far to important to remember people’s names. Sheesh.
BTW: The whole video of ACORN in San Diego is up at big govt.
milwife88 on September 17, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Hey, he knows his name, he is just tired. This being president stuff is exhausting, don’t you know?
ctmom on September 17, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Shelly where are you?!!
becki51758 on September 17, 2009 at 8:09 AM
I thought his name was Max.
BigD on September 17, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Everything that comes out of his mouth is bull. He has been faking it since the beginning.
TXMomof3 on September 17, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Baucas is just a typical white man. Why should Obama remember his name? /s
kingsjester on September 17, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Hey Rahm…think we need to make that font a little bigger on the ole teleprompter.
texabama on September 17, 2009 at 8:10 AM
lol i love this
blatantblue on September 17, 2009 at 8:10 AM
i’ll trump you on that, change your name to sheldon.
SHARPTOOTH on September 17, 2009 at 8:11 AM
My bad. I misread Bachus for Baucus.
BigD on September 17, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Whoops. Wrong name. Same application.
kingsjester on September 17, 2009 at 8:11 AM
It’s worse when you consider they were in the Senate together.
myrenovations on September 17, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Obama thinks he lives in TV land, and in TV Land (West Wing), the president does not remember names.
Phoenician on September 17, 2009 at 8:12 AM
I don’t know what all the hubbub is about. He won, there is no need to get anything right anymore!
boomer on September 17, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Are these words, just words?
rbj on September 17, 2009 at 8:13 AM
It’s worse when you consider they were in the Senate together.
myrenovations on September 17, 2009 at 8:11 AM
that’s true, but the only thing oboobi did in the senate was vote present and campaign.
SHARPTOOTH on September 17, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Hey, all white people look alike to racists like Obama.
And yes, it has to be said with the Democrats calling all dissent racism, the filthy liar in the White House is a blatant racist who despises whites.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Thank God we don’t have an idiot in the White House anymore!
revolutionismyname on September 17, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Nonsense, President Bartlett would never forget a Congressman’s name. But then again, Bartlett had a smart professional staff.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 8:15 AM
What a coincidence–I was just watching an old Sheldon Tracy flick.
jgapinoy on September 17, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Ed, please leave Joe Obiden alone!
Loxodonta on September 17, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Me thinks,Obama’s brain had a trainwreck!!
canopfor on September 17, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Obama needs an ice cream cone and a vacation. It’s been two weeks already since his last one.
Fletch54 on September 17, 2009 at 8:17 AM
A couple of points.
Obama knows Frank’s first name but not Bachus’? Hmmm :D
He isn’t working with Backus,(“Barney” is)
99% of the viewers won’t know that Obama screwed up “Sheldon”
oldernwiser on September 17, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Obama did not have his teleprompter.
At least he didn’t say, uh, uh, Sheldon, uh, uh, Sheldon Bachus
texasconserv on September 17, 2009 at 8:18 AM
I strongly support the vision of the principle author of our Consitution, George Jefferson.
Loxodonta on September 17, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Well,look on the bright side,math wasn’t used this
time!!(Sarc).
canopfor on September 17, 2009 at 8:21 AM
I thought he called him “Shirley”.
It looked like one of those deals where he knew he might have it wrong so sorta slurred it hoping nobody would notice.
forest on September 17, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Maybe Barry needs a Name Tag Czar.
Bipartisanship? Reaching across the aisle? How can you even begin to work “closely” with the opposition when you lock them out of the room?
Barb Dwyer on September 17, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Poor Obama. I’ll bet he wishes he were back at the old ACORN office a nameless, faceless organizer who thought he was king of the world “changing” stuff. The real world is not taking too kindly to this guy. He just isn’t up to the job he has now.
BetseyRoss on September 17, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Why learn the names of the opposition? To quote O, “I won.”
Beaglemom on September 17, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Kneel before Zod!
csdeven on September 17, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Yes, indeed. But it must be done under the supervision of the Crayon Czar.
Loxodonta on September 17, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Everything about this guy is fake.
The Moderate speak / Radical actions
The voice.
The various accents.
The overly-done vocabulary.
The Reagan swagger walk and head bob.
The “nose up” position while reading totus.
The put-on smile.
The gray hair for gravitas / black hair for youth
Etc etc.
marklmail on September 17, 2009 at 8:28 AM
This reminds me of Obama forgetting the soldiers name,
when he wore a bracelet,and couldn’t remember at one
of his rallys!!
canopfor on September 17, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Kinda seems like he was drawing a blank on Barney FRANK, too.
Red Cloud on September 17, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Shirley!
Shirley, Shirley bo Birley Bonana fanna fo Firley
Fee fy mo Mirley, Shirley!
Bachus!
Bachus, Bachus bo Bachus Bonana fanna fo Bachus
Fee fy mo Machus, Sheldon!
— Barry and the O’s
Loxodonta on September 17, 2009 at 8:31 AM
“Names. Just names.”
TXUS on September 17, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Heres DiverstyLane cartoon from IOwnTheWorld!
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/diversitylane_headquarters_for_blog.jpg
canopfor on September 17, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Alinsky all the way.Talk to them with language they are familiar with ,using words they understand,to convince them you are on their side. Although I can’t imagine anyone but that 12% that say they are racist,will be watching:)
So keep going on the tube o,just like a commercial we are tired of seeing.
ohiobabe on September 17, 2009 at 8:40 AM
And Sheldon is working closely with the president, Borat O’Maddrass or whatever his name is.
NoDonkey on September 17, 2009 at 8:41 AM
To his credit, he pronounced the last name correctly (Back-us).
Max Baucus is a Senator. Spencer Bachus is the top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee. He never served with the One.
SD on September 17, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Well,I`m curious,how many icebregs will Team Hopey Titanic
slam into today!!
canopfor on September 17, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Meh. The hits keep coming with this idiot.
I am in a constant state of wonder that this poseur got all the way to the WH.
keebs on September 17, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Any mention of the name Sheldon reminds me of this exchange between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally:
Go to it, Sheldon Baucus!
BuckeyeSam on September 17, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Ogabe has been watching too much Sponge Bob.
Still, names are for the little people; just come running like a good, little lick-spittle when Ogabe crooks his finger in your direction.
Bishop on September 17, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Lets see,he remembers Franks name,I wonder if Hopey has seen
Barneys basement!!ahem.
canopfor on September 17, 2009 at 8:46 AM
You know, the more I think about this the angrier I get. The filthy liar in the White House is attempting to put on a veneer of bipartisanship- he and his people are working so closely with the GOP that they are all on a first name basis. The reality is, as you say, the Democrats have shut the GOP out of the debate and the filthy liar hasn’t talked to a single Republican about healthcare since April. It’s insulting more than it is a gaffe.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Every time he says “Barney” in the video, I get this mental image of a big purple dinosaur lumbering around the room singing:
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
If you’re happy and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Barb Dwyer on September 17, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Eh. Can’t get too worked up about this one. He probably had Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) Rhode Island on his mind.
Buy Danish on September 17, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Don’t blame the President, blame TOTUS for this error because he probably blurred the name on purpose. :-)
JeffinSac on September 17, 2009 at 8:57 AM
A liberal Democrat Congressman from Mass. working with a Democrat Senator from RI isn’t bipartisanship.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Funny thing. Everyone I know in Alabama calls him BAW CUSS, rather than BACK US. Wait until I tell them they were saying his first name wrong, too.
di butler on September 17, 2009 at 9:04 AM
“President Obama ordered large name tags today for all on Capitol Hill. Each name tag will include an Obama smiley face in the corner.” “This is Charlie Gibson reporting.”
Jeff from WI on September 17, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Yes. And it would be lovely if Obama actually did some Presidenting, wouldn’t it?
mjk on September 17, 2009 at 9:05 AM
As I’ve said all along (to borrow a hackneyed, burnt-out cliche from the world’s best orator), the BO08 is a lightweight, a flake and a fraud. The coming Sunday Morning Circle-Jerk is going to be train wreck, and next week will be filled with a grim hilarity pouring over the smoldering debris of this historic (histrionic?) presidency.
mr.blacksheep on September 17, 2009 at 9:07 AM
when you’re a President that has a radical agenda
Isn’t that racist?
Next you will try telling us that Obama’s Rev is a racist.
tarpon on September 17, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Being the leader of those 57 states can make a man tired, you know.
TimBuk3 on September 17, 2009 at 9:11 AM
What’s the big deal? Teh One can’t be bothered with things like names of the little people…
ladyingray on September 17, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Que theme music from Cheers
franksalterego on September 17, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Meh! I’m tired of the whole freakin’ bunch…do everybody a favor and resign BHO. We the People will be back with more than 1.7 million next time, and the torches and pitchforks will be coming along too.
indypat on September 17, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Ed, you are going to have trouble keeping up with all of the Obamateurisms next week with him on all the channels Sunday (except Fox, of course).
HellCat on September 17, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Are the “what czars? They’re pointpersons” on deck for tomorrow?
cs89 on September 17, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Who is this Sheldon BAW CUSS and what has he done with Spencer Bachus?
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Hey Fred, we’ve worked closely over the years together so I want to congratulate you on a great article.
Mojave Mark on September 17, 2009 at 9:26 AM
oopsie
cmsinaz on September 17, 2009 at 9:26 AM
It’s not a mistake. When he believes the Rep. party doesn’t even matter, why would he even bothered to learn their names?
ZeeMI on September 17, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Ahh… I stand corrected.
myrenovations on September 17, 2009 at 9:31 AM
ZeeMI on September 17, 2009 at 9:30 AM
oops..’bother’….dang spellcheck
ZeeMI on September 17, 2009 at 9:32 AM
I was ready to vote preemptively for yesterday’s Obamateurism but today’s is just so, so, so amateurish.
Decisions, decisions!
ExpressoBold on September 17, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Getting caught in a lie is becoming a daily occurrence for the Bamster lately.
petefrt on September 17, 2009 at 9:41 AM
BuckeyeSam on September 17, 2009 at 8:44 AM
LOL and thanks for the morning joke on Shel-don.
As if Baucus Bacchus wasn’t enough of a pun. Placing the responsibility of health legislative reform with Dionysus befits the Democrats’ image.
maverick muse on September 17, 2009 at 9:42 AM
No teleprompter, no brain.
jbh45 on September 17, 2009 at 10:03 AM
It’s not Spencer anymore. Now that the One has ordained it his name hence forth IS SPENCER.
jukin on September 17, 2009 at 10:07 AM
SPENCER should be SHELDON.
ooppppssss. Not enough coffee
jukin on September 17, 2009 at 10:08 AM
You people are racists.
justltl on September 17, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Maybe Obama was thinking about this guy.
Kafir on September 17, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Or is it Nazis?
justltl on September 17, 2009 at 10:28 AM
From now on, when I do something glaringly stupid (more often than I want to admit) I will say, “Sorry, I Obama’d”.
SKYFOX on September 17, 2009 at 10:29 AM
No. Wait! I remember-
You’re hate mongering terrorists.
Yeah, that’s it.
Sorry, it’s getting confusing out here.
Carry on.
justltl on September 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Ed,
Did you check if “Sheldon” is Rep. Bachus’ (R-AL) middle name? Or Obama’s personal ‘pet name’ for Rep. Bachus (R-AL)?
To emphasize The One’s REALLY worked closely with him?
/s
Sir Napsalot on September 17, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Let’s not forget he’s got Bill Gates as Secretary of Defense…oh, he’s so smart and dreamy, what a gifted orator…nothing like that “jackass” Bush, who was all “wee-wee’ed up”, with his “coarsening” rhetoric.
NickelAndDime on September 17, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Well golly gee, evil Bush didn’t know the important things like that county’s leader’s name; see he did it first. Sarcasm/off.
I remember that not to long ago Mr. Obama miscalibrated the first name of his Secrecary of Defense too. Obviously he is not in close contact with the DoD either.
amr on September 17, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Hahahahaha. I was listening to Obama’s speech as I was driving, and I caught that right away.
Spencer Bachus is a great guy, BTW. He has done a fantastic job on the Financial Services Committee and is highly respected. Everyone in the banking world knows who he is. By right, he should have been present for the speech along with Barney Frank, because Financial Services has been one of the most bipartisan Committees in Congress for a long time.
This really is an Obamateurism. Imagine George W. Bush not knowing Barney Frank’s name.
rockmom on September 17, 2009 at 11:42 AM
FIFY.
We have to nip that wild-eyed conservative racism in the bud, I tell ya. Nip it.
GrannyDee on September 17, 2009 at 11:47 AM
I think he lost his train of thought because of some sort of visualization he was going through after Barney entered his conscious thought. Makes one wonder if Obama and the guys are joking around at Barney’s expense behind close doors.
chickasaw42 on September 17, 2009 at 12:00 PM
But, but, but… If he gets that close, he might catch
cootiesconservatism!Blacksmith on September 17, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Teens in their puberty phase are busy with self-absorbtion.
Our teenager in chief has other things on his mind. Plus, you’re all racists.
Schadenfreude on September 17, 2009 at 1:18 PM