Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on September 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Last week, we showed Barack Obama claiming to have worked closely with a Republican Congressman, only to get his name wrong. Of course, Obama has to remember 535 names to get everyone’s name straight in Congress. How many names does he have to memorize to remember his daughters’ names on national TV? Two?
I think, you’re looking at kids, and so, Maya and Sasha would fall into that category.
President Obama’s daughters are Sasha and Malia, not Maya. The President has a half-sister named Maya. Now, people mix up family names frequently — but not usually on national TV.
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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it’s the pressure.(and he’s not a diamond in the rough.)
SHARPTOOTH on September 21, 2009 at 8:08 AM
I can’t fault the guy.
My mom calls me by my dad’s name, my cousin’s name, and once in a blue moon, my dog’s name.
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 8:08 AM
He confused his daughter for Maya Angelou?
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Now I call my youngest daughter, the oldest daughter’s name….but I dont call them another random name all together.
becki51758 on September 21, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Well at least he didn’t call her Mafia!
chickasaw42 on September 21, 2009 at 8:09 AM
D’OH – it’s Bush’s fault, I’m sure!
rockbend on September 21, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Stephanopolous dropped the ball on that one. He should have corrected him immediately. Remember the “my Muslim faith” interview? He was “Johnny-on-the-spot” to cover that gaffe.
Jarhead68 on September 21, 2009 at 8:11 AM
But he’s so smart and poised and well-spoken and….
reaganaut on September 21, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Now, people mix up family names frequently — but not usually on national TV.
How many people end up talking about their family on national TV in the first place?
highhopes on September 21, 2009 at 8:14 AM
That’s just weird. How do you not know your kid’s name?
CookeyD on September 21, 2009 at 8:14 AM
With only two kids, this is certainly a little embarrassing. Perhaps he had too many “acorns” dancing in his brain.
Rovin on September 21, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Seems like that last ‘mistake’ she is making may not necessarily be one. What did you do?
Freddy on September 21, 2009 at 8:16 AM
When he starts calling Michelle, Hillary, then we know we are in trouble. Sister’s name is no big deal.
yoda on September 21, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Maybe if he was on TV less than a thousand times a week he could get his story straight.
JammieWearingFool on September 21, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Maybe he calls her Maya as a nickname?
BigD on September 21, 2009 at 8:18 AM
I am a dog, this is true. So, perhaps it is less of a mistake and more of a message!
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 8:18 AM
I’m sure Mr. Narcissist will never forget the dog’s name, after all he named the poor beast BO (after himself; his initials).
elduende on September 21, 2009 at 8:20 AM
It’s easy to see which posters here have kids and/or come from families with at least two children. Mixing up names is very common. I’m sure there will be better Obamateurisms as the week goes on.
zeebeach on September 21, 2009 at 8:20 AM
I confess that I forget Obama’s name at times. Barry, Larry, Moe, Curly, Shemp. It gets difficult to keep track of who’s who.
Loxodonta on September 21, 2009 at 8:20 AM
He meant to say “my…. a….. daughter, whose name is…. um….. er….. Malia…… yeh – Malia! Uh huh.”
Shy Guy on September 21, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Maybe Malia recited a poem the night before.
Bridge for sale.
TimBuk3 on September 21, 2009 at 8:21 AM
FIFY
Shy Guy on September 21, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Maybe if he was on TV less than a thousand times a week he could get his story straight.
JammieWearingFool on September 21, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Maybe if he was on TV less than a thousand times a week he’d be able to spend a little time with his kids- “the short one” and the “skinny one.”
highhopes on September 21, 2009 at 8:21 AM
I’ll give him a pass.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Obama is cracking like a nut. Maybe even an ACORN.
:)
wildcat84 on September 21, 2009 at 8:22 AM
I really don’t care whether Barry is gay. However, I do want him on TV as much as possible. He alienates a few more voters with each appearance.
Loxodonta on September 21, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Always makes me think of the character in the old “Dick Tracy” comic strip.
oldleprechaun on September 21, 2009 at 8:24 AM
His partners at Dewey Cheatem and Howe always had a hard time with his name
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Are you sure he’s not saying ‘malia’? how does he usually pronounce it?
Phoenician on September 21, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Maybe it wasn’t Maya. Maybe he meant to say “my other daughter.”
SagebrushPuppet on September 21, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Malia. Maya. Close enough for government work
TXUS on September 21, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Yup. My mom was on the phone last night, talking about my sister “aunt Patty” who is only aunt to some of my nieces. And my dad has mixed up the names of my nephew & dog. But still, just imagine if W. did this. (Or Sarah Palin).
Exit question, are we sure that Dear Leader has given up smoking marijuana?
rbj on September 21, 2009 at 8:25 AM
IF only he hadn’t been punished with those children…
trubble on September 21, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Follow-up thought:
What exactly is Mee-Shell growing in that organic garden of hers?
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Wrong again, yoda. His sister’s name is Maya, not No Big Deal. It’s Barry whose real name is No Big Deal. Please make a note of this. Thanks.
Loxodonta on September 21, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Guys, be nice. He has given 125+ speaches.
It wasn’t on the teleprompter.
Rahm didn’t tell him the correct answer.
barnone on September 21, 2009 at 8:30 AM
My oldest brother often calls my oldest neice by my name. Once he did it four times during a eulogy for our grandmother.
Since I find fault with my brother for doing this I have no problem casting aspersions at Obama for doing it as well.
myrenovations on September 21, 2009 at 8:31 AM
At least he didn’t call her Zatooty (sp.?), after his illegal alien Aunt.
TXUS on September 21, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Oh come on.
Maybe he calls her maya. Maybe when his other daughter was very small, she couldn’t pronounce it and called her Maya.
(i don’t know the order of their ages, just guessing a thought here)
This is silly.
bridgetown on September 21, 2009 at 8:34 AM
It’s hard to remember the names of your own kids when you aren’t paying attention to the ACORN fiasco.
Bishop on September 21, 2009 at 8:34 AM
With regret, I must admit that I take Obama’s side on this one. When I was growing up, my mother would often go through all 4 children’s names, and sometimes the dog, before she got the right one. We used to kid her unmercifully about that, but to my embarrassment I only have 2 children and I call them the wrong names often. Worse, one is a boy and one a girl, so there really is no excuse to mix them up, but I do. Perhaps the most saintly parents never make this mistake, but I’ll bet most do.
jwolf on September 21, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Barry’s dog was referred to as ‘the poor beast” upthread. Surely this is a bannable offense in our new and improved environment of fish-inspired PC.
hillbillyjim on September 21, 2009 at 8:35 AM
He’s tired. Our Dear Leader has worked harder for the American people than any other president or even any other person in our entire history. Maybe even more than every American ever, all combined. Leave Barry alone!
And besides, everybody knows that CNN is part of the vast right-wing conspiracy that’s been out to get Barry from the very beginning. This was another one of their hit pieces. Shame on you CNN!
Loxodonta on September 21, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Everybody missed that loose cord that was hanging down LOTUS’s back. When the TOTUS is backstage, behind a curtain, Barry is now plugged in via a USB connection. He was dipping and dodging around the questions so much he unplugged himself.
Barry, on his own, in his own words. What can go wrong, will go wrong.
Yoop on September 21, 2009 at 8:37 AM
He’s still a terrible President…but I’ll give him a pass on this one.
Caper29 on September 21, 2009 at 8:38 AM
If he has then maybe he should seriously consider taking it back up again…
doriangrey on September 21, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Never fear after Cass Sunstein is finished with his “reforms” Bo the dog will have a lawyer sue us for intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation.
elduende on September 21, 2009 at 8:40 AM
My mom calls me by her brother’s name all the time. Only rarely does she call me by my dad’s name.
Then he should remember the name of his Secretary of the Interior: Not Sure.
James on September 21, 2009 at 8:41 AM
I think that just exposes a crack in his self control. He must be walking a very thin line right now. He won’t go on Fox because he is so tightly wound that one wrong look, question, suggestion from opposition and he will explode.
ctmom on September 21, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Embarrassing, yes. But I have called my kids each others names, and the dogs too. Normally it is when the kids and dog are running wild in the house and I am flustered, not while having a conversation with a friend.
c.u.shoeless on September 21, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Phew. You’re right; I was prematurely distressed. Boy, I can’t wait ’til those spotted owls and snail-darters get their own team of taxpayer-funded mouthpieces! Good times will be had by all.
hillbillyjim on September 21, 2009 at 8:44 AM
If he had said “my daughter, Mary Jane”, I would have given it a serious thought.
Shy Guy on September 21, 2009 at 8:45 AM
This whole administration is an Obamateurism
NoFanofLibs on September 21, 2009 at 8:46 AM
Anyone else thinking we elected Zaphod Beeblebrox???
doriangrey on September 21, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Teh One is ALWAYS good for some great fodder for the OOTD. Is he hiding in a cave somewhere? I only ask because this is a pretty weak one and if it’s the best we can do, he must be not doing anything. Still, I don’t remember a president who was considered half-way competent EVER forgetting the name of his children. (Especially on national TV when he’s trying to salvage his reputation) So It’s clear that Obama is striving to remain a president who is less than half-way competent.
Someone in another thread made the comment that to a liberal, his children serve only two purposes. A potential abortion and political props. He was using them as props in this case and the vacuous Marxist can’t even do that correctly.
csdeven on September 21, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Not the Maya he thought he knew.
LibTired on September 21, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Gotta go with you on this one. I have a whole family of name dysfunctionals.
katy the mean old lady on September 21, 2009 at 8:48 AM
I can plead quilty to calling my two boys by each other’s names but at least it is really their names.
In the petty witch comment of the day the award goes to me for giving you this link of the first lady’s chosen Metal of Honor presentation outfit. I apologize in advance but I am an older Southern lady and I am a touch shocked. H/T Gatewaypundit
http://www.punditandpundette.com/2009/09/what-not-to-wear-to-medal-of-honor.html
Cindy Munford on September 21, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Hah. If you think critters on the endangered species list having lawyers is bad just wait until animals get civil rights. PAYDAY for lawyers!
elduende on September 21, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Yes. The only difference is that Obama hides his second head up his ass.
csdeven on September 21, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Considering your “nick” could it be in the genes? Or the jeans? ;-)
Yoop on September 21, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Aren’t these interviews taped? Or are they live? Wouldn’t they ask him to redo his answer if it’s taped with his daughter’s actual name? Or are they so in love that he could call his kid “Pebbles Flintstone” and they wouldn’t notice?
mjk on September 21, 2009 at 8:53 AM
And he’s got a lot of hard work yet to do.
Destroy the most successful economy the world has ever known. Destroy an entire culture and way of life. Bring down a military and intelligence complex that’s the envy of the world.
To name just a few.
TXUS on September 21, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Vell, look, Barry’s just zis guy you know?
wildcat84 on September 21, 2009 at 8:53 AM
By the by, my mother calls me by my sister-in-law’s name, my cousin’s name, my aunt’s name, and my niece’s name before she finally settles on mine. So it’s definitely an issue with a lot of people.
mjk on September 21, 2009 at 8:54 AM
I agree. Completely inappropiate, given the tone of the ceremony. I have a feeling these two are given advice on decorum but it is probably followed up with icy glares. After all, they won.
sherry on September 21, 2009 at 8:58 AM
We don’t even know Barry’s name for sure.
If we had the birth certificate, we could keep it all straight and remind the poor man.
IlikedAUH2O on September 21, 2009 at 8:59 AM
They say crack can be whack on cognizant thinking…..
Jerome Horwitz on September 21, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Anyone else thinking we elected Zaphod Beeblebrox???
doriangrey on September 21, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Letterman would probably run with that if President Bush had made such a mistake.
IlikedAUH2O on September 21, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Definitely the genes!
katy the mean old lady on September 21, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Probably her nickname. He seems like a good dad. Bad president, but a good dad. I hope I don’t get banned but I have to say that Malia is not a very good name in my opinion. The Latin root of mal means bad. Maya sounds nicer.
Ted Torgerson on September 21, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Calling family members by the wrong name is common,however, isn’t the Won the most brilliant guy on the planet? Wait til he calls Michelle Oprah.
Kissmygrits on September 21, 2009 at 9:12 AM
He knows her real name. The clue is in that transporter belt she forgets to take off after they are beamed down each morning.
Yoop on September 21, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Conspiracy theorist Andrew Sullivan might theorize that his half-sister, Maya, is really his daughter, thus the confusion.
Buy Danish on September 21, 2009 at 9:19 AM
He goofs up their names, he doesn’t know what illnesses they had… are these really his kids?
(kidding)
sarainitaly on September 21, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Actually he said “My, uh, and Sasha” getting in two of his favorite words in one sentence.
GnuBreed on September 21, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Smart power.
CP on September 21, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Obama hasn’t been working “closely” with 535 members of congress. By not remembering the congressman’s name, Barry is showing that he lied when he claimed to have been working closely with him.
MarkTheGreat on September 21, 2009 at 9:44 AM
I used to slip up from time to time, and call by new wife by my ex’s name.
Thank God I married an understanding woman. Of course I did usually have to take her to a expensive restaurant each time.
MarkTheGreat on September 21, 2009 at 9:46 AM
They named her Malia? How bizarre, given that “mal” is a root word meaning “sickness”. I didn’t even know that because I don’t bring kids into this sort of thing, but choosing that name speaks to the judgment of her parents.
I did meet a young girl named Latrina once. I’m reminded of that now…
commenter on September 21, 2009 at 9:48 AM
The issue isn’t that he made this mistake. Everyone does this at times – calling someone by the wrong name (I once called my wife by my sister’s name).
The issue is that had Bush done this, the media would be on full court press publicizing it and implying that he was the dumbest man alive.
Like every other gaffe O! makes – which appear to be far more frequent and worse than Bush’s – the media ignores it. The contrast is damning to the media’s claims of being objective.
Monkeytoe on September 21, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I’m sorry Obama – I got your name confused with the dog in the movie, “The Jerk.”
Daggett on September 21, 2009 at 9:57 AM
My son got called the dog’s name, too, as well as two different cat names…
…I’m surprised he doesn’t have a self image problem.
ladyingray on September 21, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Is it possible he calls Malia “Mia” for short?
radjah shelduck on September 21, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I can’t wait til he really loses it and they become
‘HeyYou, and OlWhatsHerName’
ZeeMI on September 21, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Apparently my niece is so like me when I was younger that my parents mistakenly call her by my name all the time. I feel for her–being an adolescent is tough enough without having people get your name wrong.
Is it possible the Obamas use “Maya” as a nickname for their daughter? Of course, it seems a little strange to shorten a name from three syllables to two, but stranger things have been done (like nicknaming “Henry” “Harry,” something that is lost on me).
DrMagnolias on September 21, 2009 at 10:10 AM
BO is just not that impressive off-script and without the teleprompter. Sunday’s over exposure did not do well for him.
jbh45 on September 21, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Obama daughter, 2008: “Where are you, Daddy?”
Obama daughter, 2009: “Who am I, Daddy?”
Steve Z on September 21, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I mix up my kids’ names all the time, so the humanity is telling for me.
Given his office, and the media bias we all know and love, though, I’ve gotta go with the WIDDI rules.
“nucular,” “Maya,” …
Tough luck there, BO.
cs89 on September 21, 2009 at 10:45 AM
My wife occasionally calls me names that would get me booted off here.
Jeff from WI on September 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
And they called Dan Quayle stupid.
jaime on September 21, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I’m sure neither of his daughters are million dollar campaign donors or slush fund fillers, so why bother remembering THEIR names? Unimportant.
Spiritk9 on September 21, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I’d almost give him a pass, because the whole time I was growing up I answered to both my brothers’ names as well as my own. Dad was always calling one when he wanted the other.
But he never mixed our names up with non-existent children’s names.
That is, he may have called for me by either brother’s name from time to time, but he never called for “Tim.”
tom on September 21, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Look, I have no use for Obama and truly want him to fail miserably as President so we can be done experimenting with radical liberalism in the White House for another generation or two, but this is pretty weak as an Obamateurism. I call my daughter by my little sister’s name all the time.
Picking on this goober for silly slips of the tongue or the brainfarts that most of us get is petty when he’s giving us real, dangerous amateur goofs multiple times a day.
Dukeboy01 on September 21, 2009 at 12:58 PM
At least he didn’t call her Cominsky.
Mallard T. Drake on September 21, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Add me to the list of people who answered to other family members’ names when his father called.
I do feel sympathy for Malia, though, she’s probably going to be teased a lot at school for a few days by people calling her “Maya”.
malclave on September 21, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Maybe Malia’s name has a silent “l”. Or maybe it’s a new, exotic pronunciation that was recommended by Axelrod.
hawksruleva on September 21, 2009 at 3:44 PM
All of that changing the hair color to appeal to specific groups of mindless Demobots seems to be bringing on early dementia.
outnumberedinparadise on September 21, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I don’t know all the facts, but my president acted stupidly.
Tom_OC on September 21, 2009 at 5:57 PM
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