Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on September 22, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Everyone has words that trip them up when said aloud. For me, it’s “politicization,” as TEMS viewers know. For Barack Obama, that word appears to be “intrepidity,” which he included in his otherwise outstanding remarks on awarding a posthumous Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jared Monti. Obama pauses right before he says “intrepidy,” which seems to indicate that he knew he’d have a problem with it:
Of all the privileges serving as President, there’s no greater honor than serving as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military that the world has ever known. And of all the military decorations that a President and a nation can bestow, there is none higher than the Medal of Honor.
It has been nearly 150 years since our nation first presented this medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
That word will appear in every MOH ceremony that Obama will have. He’d better practice it. If it wasn’t for the eight years that the Left spent ridiculing every mispronunciation by George W Bush, it wouldn’t even really be remarkable.
By the way, if you missed Obama’s speech for SFC Monti, be sure to watch it. It’s one of his best, other than the fumble at the beginning.
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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TOTUS don’t fail me now!
cmsinaz on September 22, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Is it 2012 yet?
rbj on September 22, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Perhaps “gallantry and fearlessness” would have been a better choice.
It is simply bad speechwriting to put in difficult-to-pronounce words.
BigD on September 22, 2009 at 8:11 AM
You’re on the right track, ED.
Posting the text for those of us who can’t stand to listen to the voice of the subject in question.
Now, if only Allah would do that in regards to Katie Couric, Joyless Behar, et al.
Lanceman on September 22, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Tough word. I’ll give him a pass. Hell, I fumbled my own wedding vow 3 times.
ted c on September 22, 2009 at 8:12 AM
me thought oboobi was the great and mighty orator, what happened? totus break again.
SHARPTOOTH on September 22, 2009 at 8:13 AM
I think that the saddest part about Barak Obama’s presidency is how far out of his league he is. He’s a gifted speaker, but terribly naive. Had he remained a Senator, rather than rushing headstrong into a Presidency that he and his advisors are ill-equipped to run, there is no telling what good he might have accomplished.
But he has wasted his gift or oratory, damaged the nation through his rush-to-change, and seems like a captain trying to steer a rudderless ship of state.
If it wasn’t for the danger that such a situation places ALL of us into, it would be only a bittersweet story. As it stands, the outcome of his journey seems more of fight as to whether it will end in tragedy or disaster.
A political Titanic, if you will.
AW1 Tim on September 22, 2009 at 8:14 AM
It is an awkward word, but I think it was in there because he was actually quoting the formal description of what a Medal of Honor recipient should be.
forest on September 22, 2009 at 8:14 AM
thats just ridic-u-la-lous
blatantblue on September 22, 2009 at 8:14 AM
practice makes perfect
:-)
cmsinaz on September 22, 2009 at 8:15 AM
imo, it’s tough to give him a pass when they trashed W on any little gaffe he made…
cmsinaz on September 22, 2009 at 8:17 AM
I thought was the best reader ever. That’s all he does, use TOTUS and make a fool of himself in interviews.
cubachi on September 22, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Obambi, freedictionary.com is your friend.
ctmom on September 22, 2009 at 8:18 AM
yep
frankly i dont care about things like this
but it almost feels obligatory to ridicule him for it, after what the left did to Prez Bush for all that time
blatantblue on September 22, 2009 at 8:19 AM
blatantblue on September 22, 2009 at 8:19 AM
I didn’t find his remarks from that ceremony to be “outstanding” at all. I thought he was flat, like he just didn’t get it and wasn’t going to put a whole lot of effort into getting it.
myrenovations on September 22, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Not so much bad speech writing…
These are the words in the citation. To change them would be like changing the first words of the Pledge to, “I affirm my unending support to the national banner…” It just ain’t the same. Odamna just needs to learn how to speak which should not be a problem since he’s the smartest Prez evah! (sarc!)
Crusader Rabbit on September 22, 2009 at 8:21 AM
The word was part of the citation but if he had trouble with it he should have rehearsed it and got it right instead of resorting to amateurish stuttering. We’re moving closer and closer to “Idiocracy”.
rplat on September 22, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Everybody goofs up now and then but we were told this man was amazingly intelligent, had a bigger brain than most, and was a model of perfection. That’s what makes these little things stick out like a sore thumb.
sherry on September 22, 2009 at 8:25 AM
As much as I abhor that man, … .
davidk on September 22, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Intrepidy is the word in the Army Regs. It’s probably a stumbling block for the filthy liar in the White House because it looks pretty close to integrity and we all know that the rat bastard traitor has none of that.
highhopes on September 22, 2009 at 8:25 AM
I much prefer to read these things, too.
ladyingray on September 22, 2009 at 8:27 AM
It’s the arrogance not the intelligence (or lack thereof). A highly intelligent person who knows how to poke fun at himself would be able to get away with the occasional blunder. But, the filthy liar in the White House can’t seem to get beyond the arrogance of the “I won” attitude and that makes him that much less a human being.
highhopes on September 22, 2009 at 8:27 AM
I think Dodge made the Intrepidity
Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Whoever gave the opening prayer did a very good job.
God bless the soul of Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti and comfort all those who loved him.
To risk one’s life three times under enemy fire trying to rescue a wounded man. And to give one’s life on the third attempt. One’s own life is the greatest sacrifice that an American can make in service to America. Let’s never forget that their sacrifices and for what they gave their lives.
Loxodonta on September 22, 2009 at 8:31 AM
I have to respectfully disagree with this nearly universal description of Obama. In my opinion he is not a gifted speaker. I spent a number of years in Toastmasters International. I experienced gifted speakers. I experienced not-so-gifted speakers.
Members of the above organization were required to pick subjects on strips of paper, at random, and speak on that surprise subject for 5 minutes, after a brief pause. Speak coherently and smoothly. That was the training.
Barack Obama is not a gifted speaker. The evidence is his total lack of coherence and smooth delivery and a total disaster in the use of uhmms and ah-h-hs as punctuations, when off the teleprompter.
Barack Obama is not a gifted speaker. That is a meme.
Barack Obama is an accomplished reader, with a good voice.
Yoop on September 22, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Yeah, I got that when I did my second take.
BigD on September 22, 2009 at 8:34 AM
My hard word is redistribution. Been saying that a lot lately.
doctormom on September 22, 2009 at 8:34 AM
I don’t care to hear anything this pile of garbage has to say. Sorry. He’s breathing air that could be better used elsewhere.
I don’t dislike him a great deal because he’s Black. I dislike him a great deal because he’s not qualified to do the job.
And did you see how his wife Worf disrespected the ceremony with that clown suit she had on?
SuperManGreenLantern on September 22, 2009 at 8:37 AM
I’d agree but also think he often uses the uhmms and ah-h-hs as a rhetorical device. They are intentional to make it seem as if the man is so damned brilliant he has a hard time dumbing it down for the common folk.
Personally, I think a box of rocks has more intelligence.
highhopes on September 22, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Thank goodness he didn’t name his daughter “Intrepidity”!
Shy Guy on September 22, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Wait… was that Jeff Dunham with his hand up Obama’s ass? Coulda sworn I saw him.
princetrumpet on September 22, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Actually, if you can say “stupidity” then “intrepidity” shouldn’t be that tough.
BigD on September 22, 2009 at 8:46 AM
I think you’re wrong on that.
The uhhhmms and aaaaaands and pauses are him being a liar on the fly.
I believe it was Mark Twain who said, “If you don’t lie, you have nothing to remember.”
Lanceman on September 22, 2009 at 8:46 AM
He should have said “intrepidnessness”.
Bishop on September 22, 2009 at 8:47 AM
I’d give anyone a pass for “intrepidity”. Good grief it feels awkward in the mouth and sounds forced no matter how smoothly you say it.
It’s a crap word all around.
ace tomato on September 22, 2009 at 8:50 AM
I’m a Southerner. I do a lot of public speaking. I refuse to poke fun at anyone caught stumbling over a word. I’ll grant you that he better learn that word and practice saying it, considering the ceremony in which he will have to use “intrepidity.” It’s a tough word but with practice it can be pronounced.
I continue to have trouble with the word “brewery.” It’s hard for a Southerner to say.
I sometimes think that Obama does not prepare for anything. He comes across as a perpetually lazy college student who has crammed for an oral examination or a thesis defense. I know. I was that guy.
Ampleforth on September 22, 2009 at 8:52 AM
To Barry, MOH recipients are delaying his vision for Amerika
phreshone on September 22, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Amen.
ProfessorMiao on September 22, 2009 at 8:53 AM
As much as I dislike Obama, I think this was a poor choice for the Obamateurism. This ceremony should be a reminder of the sacrifices of Sgt Monti and others like him, not the mispronunciation of a word.
exhelodrvr on September 22, 2009 at 8:53 AM
It’s quite clear and understandable that the president was not familiar with the word intrepidity, (a word that describes courage and resoluteness). Nothing in his current plight to re-make this nation and its people into subservient dependents to a government hierarchy is related to the word.
Rovin on September 22, 2009 at 8:59 AM
It didn’t take away from the somber event. He gets a pass from me – but he still drives me nuts.
God bless SFC Monti and his family.
JeffinOrlando on September 22, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Sorry, this doesn’t bother me as much as the First Lady wearing a sleevless dress with GIANT red flowers all over it. Yes, yes I am a petty witch but that’s how it is.
Cindy Munford on September 22, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Maybe so, and I respect your opinion. But as Mr. Morrissey points out, this would really be nothing if it weren’t for the fact Liberals slammed President Bush for eight years every time he minspronounced a word. Any word.
And again, this post isn’t about the ceremony, but about obama’s (D) gaffe.
SuperManGreenLantern on September 22, 2009 at 9:03 AM
At least you’re not a mean old lady like a certain ‘Katy’:P
Lanceman on September 22, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Okay I’ll take a stab at it. Is it in-tre-PID-ity?
Ted Torgerson on September 22, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Perfect! — +1
Rovin on September 22, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Does totus have no phonetic spelling mode? maybe he should consider an upgrade.
Joe Caps on September 22, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Valid points both, but from a glass half full perspective, I believe many additional special intentions were made by the HA readers this morning for the family of SFC Monti.
Goody2Shoes on September 22, 2009 at 9:21 AM
But, but, Mrs O made it a special event by going sleeveless. And the sergeant’s family must have been honored that she debuted a new frock for the ceremony and spent so much time making sure the accessories were just right.
Drained Brain on September 22, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Yes. You are the scariest person I know at Hot Air.
Loxodonta on September 22, 2009 at 9:29 AM
It just took me a couple of tries before I got it right
jgapinoy on September 22, 2009 at 9:33 AM
LOL!!!
Cindy Munford on September 22, 2009 at 9:34 AM
But, petty can be offset by pretty. A properly accessorized boom can help also.
Yoop on September 22, 2009 at 9:51 AM
boom >>> broom
more coffe-e-e-e-e!
Yoop on September 22, 2009 at 10:01 AM
The broom is definitely due for a make-over.
Cindy Munford on September 22, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I can help him out. :-)
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?intrep02=intrepidity
JeffinSac on September 22, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Intrepidity wasn’t part of the Yale affirmative action cirriculum nor is it found in the community action manifesto.
wepeople on September 22, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Did he have TOTUS for that speech? In that clip, he was relying heavily on his notes at the podium. It seemed like every other word he was reading.
Conservative in NOVA on September 22, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Ed:
The word you really seem to have the most trouble with is “balls.”
A sophomoric euphemism like “testicular fortitude” is not more polite, it’s just silly — and ironic, of course, that you don’t have the balls to say balls when you’re slamming someone for not having any balls.
JM Hanes on September 22, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Yoop on September 22, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Been saying some variation of this occasionally for a while now. Decent voice, horrible speaker off-the-cuff, passable Teleprompter reader.
cs89 on September 22, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Additionally, as a second option for OOTD, I did catch him on Letterman last night out of curiousity. He blew the defense secretary’s name- again- but caught himself this time.
“My defense secretary, Bill Gates…er, Bob Gates” or something to that effect.
cs89 on September 22, 2009 at 11:57 AM
One has to be intrepid to know, understand and know how to pronounce intrepidity. Alas, this, from the “smartest person, evah, in the whole world”. Risible.
Where are those higher education records of his, btw?
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM
The thing that kills me about this Obamateurism is that here he is, offering the nation’s highest military honor to the parents of a volunteer Soldier that gave his life for his fellows and TOTUS didn’t take the time to rehearse.
He truly has no respect for the military or for the office that he holds.
Hogman on September 22, 2009 at 2:06 PM
This proves that he isn’t even that.
Schadenfreude on September 22, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Must have misremembered how to pronounce “intrepidity.”
TexAz on September 22, 2009 at 4:20 PM
He’ll blame it on Bush!
Cybergeezer on September 22, 2009 at 4:45 PM
I think that the saddest part about Barak Obama’s presidency is how far out of his league he is. He’s a gifted speaker, but terribly naive. Had he remained a Senator, rather than rushing headstrong into a Presidency that he and his advisors are ill-equipped to run, there is no telling what good he might have accomplished.
But he has wasted his gift or oratory, damaged the nation through his rush-to-change, and seems like a
captainensign 180 days after receiving his commission trying to steer a rudderless ship of state.If it wasn’t for the danger that such a situation places ALL of us into, it would be only a bittersweet story. As it stands, the outcome of his journey seems more of fight as to whether it will end in tragedy or disaster.
A political Titanic, if you will.
AW1 Tim on September 22, 2009 at 8:14 AM
FIFY
rwenger43 on September 22, 2009 at 5:42 PM
If this is the worst that The One screws uptoday , it was a pretty good day. It won’t even register on O of the week.
Lummox on September 22, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I attended my uncle’s posthumous Medal of Honor ceremony in 2002 – thank God it was President Bush doing the honors.
He had no trouble reading his speech, and it was clear he meant every word.
Common Sense on September 23, 2009 at 2:08 AM