Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on October 27, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Jim Geraghty notices a telling juxtaposition of wire stories, and frames them in a way that the media won’t:
The White House responded to former vice president Cheney’s accusation of “dithering” on war decisions by countering that Cheney had “not focused on Afghanistan” for seven years; the following day, President Obama left for a series of fundraisers in Connecticut and Massachusetts and a weekend golf outing.
I don’t think that this decision should get rushed, and hopefully Obama reaches the right decision. However, thus far he hasn’t much room to opine on focus.
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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Ed, Obama has passed the ‘rushing’ stage a long time ago. He had two years of campaigning and 10 months of being president. How ‘rushed’ can this decision be?
Phoenician on October 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Let me know when the Obama WH starts acting like the Pres. and we can actually talk about what he’s doing without talking about the last administration.
What is this? pre-school?
bridgetown on October 27, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Just disgraceful.
publiuspen on October 27, 2009 at 8:10 AM
All B Hussein 0 knows is the campaign mode. Actual governing scares the sh!t outta’ him.
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Barry tries to shift the responsibility off of his shoulders for every problem. And then he focuses on what he wants to focus: himself. He’s a narcissistic chicken. Unfortunately he’s come home to roost.
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 8:12 AM
We all misunderstood Teh Won – he said he wouldn’t be Russianed into a decision.
Seriously, I hope you’re feeling better, Ed.
steveegg on October 27, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Well in Obama’s defense on this issue, from all reports it does seem pretty obvious that his time on the golf course isnt spent focusing on GOLF… /rimshot…
doriangrey on October 27, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Rush? What are you talking about? The decision was made in March. Obama picked his commander, and now he won’t give him the men and resources he needs to complete his mission because the poll numbers have shifted against the war.
Ted Torgerson on October 27, 2009 at 8:15 AM
At least Cheney’s weapon of choice is the shotgun and not the golf clubs.
yoda on October 27, 2009 at 8:15 AM
It’s because, you know, he won’t send anyone into harms way with out proper deliberation. And fundraisers. And tee times. And date nights. And…
apostic on October 27, 2009 at 8:16 AM
…But we have to rush this Health Care bill through right now.
TimBuk3 on October 27, 2009 at 8:17 AM
It wasn’t all that long ago, this past summer, when Obama said a decision on Afghanistan would be forthcoming in a few weeks, after review, of course. Last month, Obama said a decision would be forthcoming in a couple weeks. Now, Obama says he has to take more time to give the matter careful consideration.
Carpe diem! Or from Obama’s perspective, carping every day.
Men and women are risking their lives out there, getting hurt, getting killed…while their CinC has to give things a bit more time.
How much time, Mr. Obama? Have you no decency?
Larger wars than Afghanistan have been lost in a far shorter period of time when politicians sat around discusing grand strategy whilst an enemy just went ahead with their own game plan. France, 1939 comes to mind.
Or is it that Obama cannot actually make a decision?
coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 8:17 AM
My son’s best friend was involved in that firefight a few weeks ago where those eight soldiers were killed. I think he needs to get off his chicken @$$ and make a decision.
ladyingray on October 27, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Number of people killed riding with Ted Kennedy=1
Number of people killed hunting with Dick Cheney=0
Would you rather go hunting with Dick Cheney or for a ride with Ted Kennedy…
doriangrey on October 27, 2009 at 8:19 AM
He is not being rushed. The report is in and has been in for weeks now. He campaigned on this promise over a year ago. He just doesn’t want to ‘make a decision’ that would anger his base before healthcare gets passed. He can keep claiming that it is a hard decision and he wants to take his time but that is a lie. He wants the announcement of the decision to become easier and it wont. He is putting our troops in danger so he can pass his domestic policy and it disgusts me.
sammypants on October 27, 2009 at 8:20 AM
And the stimulus bill, and Cap and Trade, and the Auto and Bank bailouts….
doriangrey on October 27, 2009 at 8:20 AM
A+
beachgirlusa on October 27, 2009 at 8:20 AM
0bama cannot actually make a decision.
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:21 AM
exactly!…spineless coward
God Bless our Troops!!!
cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Apparently Barry is easily distracted by bright, shiny things…campaign cash and golf clubs.
Barb Dwyer on October 27, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Well, judging from the the rest of his promises, like finding a church home in Washington, D.C., our best and brightest are in serious trouble.
kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:23 AM
How can this decision be rushed? The change of commanders and presumably strategy (more like what Patraeus did in Iraq) happened months ago. The request for troops was known in August but deliberately held up from being officially presented to the filthy lying coward to give him more time to dither (officially the DOD was assessing the assessment). Now the rat bastard traitor continues to dither way.
The decision when it comes will be many things and will be upsetting to one group or another but it most certainly will not be rushed. It’s not a lack of focus but a lack of finding a political solution to a military problem that is holding the filthy lying coward back. Americans are dying in Afghanistan every day this bastard is delaying making a decision. The troops deserve better and so does America.
highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 8:24 AM
1) Isn’t it sort of early in the morning to be using words like “opine?” Isn’t there a rule about that? Like only afternoon or something?
2) Barry opine? Don’t make me laugh.
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Had to fix that for ya, because from all reports Obama doesnt know which end of the golf club to hit the ball with…
doriangrey on October 27, 2009 at 8:25 AM
dear leader knows his priorities…
1. campaign
2. golf….
495.US troops
cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Too busy golfing and demonizing critical Americans here at home.
BadgerHawk on October 27, 2009 at 8:26 AM
You forgot flashbulbs and kleig lights.
highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 8:27 AM
this is not the time for consensus and voting present, that’s for sure…
cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Barry O’pine? Wasn’t that the name of an old Irish philosopher?
coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Barry O’pine? Wasn’t that the name of an old Irish philosopher?
coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Nope. Irish Lumberjack.
kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:28 AM
He doesn’t have a clue about Afghanistan but he has managed to shave 5 strokes off his handicap since becoming President. As I posted above, our troops deserve better than a part-time CINC.
highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 8:28 AM
So, he’s a lumberjack, and he’s OK…
coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 8:29 AM
It took him what, six months, to pick out a frickin’ dog, and he’s yet to have decided on a church to attend (not that the latter is that important to him.)
STFU.
TXUS on October 27, 2009 at 8:29 AM
I need to know something before I agree that the president is right to take this time for the decision. Are our guys over there overworked and under supported? Are they getting hurt or killed because of their work load and lack of rest? Mr. Obama is going to own this regardless of what he decides, pull them out or give them what they need to do their job.
Cindy Munford on October 27, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Being a Cheney fan like I am…I’d get up at 3:00 a.m. on a cold morning to hunt with him any time.
yoda on October 27, 2009 at 8:30 AM
So, he’s a lumberjack, and he’s OK…
coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Exactly. Just like his dear Papa.
kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Winner gets to dunk Allahpundit in a tank of water because Ed used big fancy words too early in the morning.
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 8:34 AM
+1
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Barry O’Whine.
ICBM on October 27, 2009 at 8:37 AM
It is painfully obvious by now that Obama’s heart simply is not in issues of the military and national security. Eventually he will do something — just the bare minimum of what he absolutely has to — but then he will return to economic and national political affairs, because that is the arena in which he wants to remake the country. Afghanistan and Pakistan really mean nothing to him, but when Fox News speaks out against him, then he really pays attention quickly.
jwolf on October 27, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Wrong! A barryopine is just a fancy sounding east coast term for a porkupine. Hopefully though, it’s only one term.
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Clearly, the war against Fox News is a much higher priority.
rbj on October 27, 2009 at 8:41 AM
I must opine in the affirmative to your opining in this regard.
TXUS on October 27, 2009 at 8:41 AM
As Instapundit points out, the only reason Obama “won’t rush” this decision is purely for political convenience.
JohnJ on October 27, 2009 at 8:41 AM
It’s so on like Donkey Kong……….. looking forward to the Allahpundit tsunami….. Time to slice it up like ten pounds of Salami… Like watching Chairman Obama get blinded by the shiny… Now we got Loxodonta on the mike making with the rhymies…
doriangrey on October 27, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Great! Two posting contests in one thread! What’s the winner get for this one? After the water tank, what else can we do to AP?
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 8:43 AM
The BO08 makes me sick to my stomach. We have real men and real women in a war, under-resourced against a ruthless enemy, and all he does is bop the baloney.
He’s an irresponsible, cowardly, lying, putz.
mr.blacksheep on October 27, 2009 at 8:43 AM
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:35 AM
OT
Couldn’t find the website but the group will be in front of Ben’s Omaha office at 11:30 today.
yoda on October 27, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Many here have pointed out things Barry can address quickly, especially things that pertain to Barry’s personal image. The war in Afghanistan, not so much.
donh525 on October 27, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Hell, Obama campaigned on fighting the good war in Afghanistan. The ONLY war he is willing to fight is with Fox News AND he is losing badly. I’m sure Iran, Russia and China are quaking in their collective shoes.
or CrockObama.
dthorny on October 27, 2009 at 8:52 AM
It reminds me of Monty Python:
“Obama bravely runs away, he bravely runs away, away.
When danger rears its ugly head, Obama turned his tail and fled…”
JohnJ on October 27, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Thanks. I am working today, but I’ll find ‘em.
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:53 AM
We must not meddle, unless it affects Obama’s carefully honed image…..as obtuse and obfuscated as it is.
dthorny on October 27, 2009 at 8:54 AM
But Barry looks simply faaaaaaaabulous on a golf cart!
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 8:55 AM
76th and Pacific.
yoda on October 27, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Perfect metaphor for this Obama presidency:
SPAMALOT
dthorny on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM
what, does Mr. Obama think he’s on a 4 year vacation? He needs to drop the rock star persona and do the job Americans voted him in to do. Then again, he’s done jack-didly-squat for his entire career, why change now?
Annietxgrl on October 27, 2009 at 8:59 AM
3/4 of a mile from work. Thanks.
OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 9:03 AM
There was a young man from Kenya,
Who became our President, you betcha.
He could look good all day,
But from war ran away.
Those hard decisions can kill ya!
donh525 on October 27, 2009 at 9:06 AM
The only decision I want Barack Obama making is to resign.
That one I would like immediately.
Because he sucks at being president.
NoDonkey on October 27, 2009 at 9:07 AM
How sad to think that the most courageous, self-sacrificing men and women our nation has to offer must serve under this Weakling in Chief. It’s a crying shame. God bless them and their families.
Gang-of-One on October 27, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Great line. The rest of your comment is right on.
I fear that is the problem.
davidk on October 27, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Barry went out on the lam
On the lam, on the lam,
Barry went out on the lam
His fleecings now we know
Everywhere that Barry went
Barry went, Barry went
Everywhere that Barry went
The press was sure to go
It made the viewers laugh and play,
Laugh and play, laugh and play,
It made the viewers laugh and play
To see the press so fooled
They let Fox follow him one day
Him one day, him one day
They let Fox follow him one day
Which was against his rules
“Why does the press love Barry so?
“Love Barry so? Love Barry so?
“Why does the lamb love Mary so?”
The eager viewers cry
“Why, Barry loves the press, you know.
“Loves the press, you know, loves the press, you know
“Why, Barry loves the press, you know.”
Dear leader did reply
Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 9:16 AM
you’re probably right…until he needs them to look good in front of the cameras again…
cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 9:18 AM
A rush decision on Afghanistan and Pakistan?
In a brave and gutsy move…he’ll vote “present.”
Barb Dwyer on October 27, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Barry should quit looking in the mirror, there’s a war going on.
donh525 on October 27, 2009 at 9:20 AM
He’s had that damn report for 2 months, and yet he just now “pledges” not to rush his decision?
I quit.
uknowmorethanme on October 27, 2009 at 9:23 AM
When my husband was in Iraq, Obama voted against troop funding after he had promised to “put the troops first”. (This was during the campaign.)
Now with my son in Afghanistan, and troops on the ground waiting for his word, he is waiting for the polls to see which way the wind will blow. How many more kids will get blown up while he makes up his mind?
Either get them out of there, or give them the ability to fight and the backing to win. There is no “present” on this one.
He is playing with my family for political gain.
I hate him.
Boudica on October 27, 2009 at 9:23 AM
I hate him.
Boudica on October 27, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Join the club’ standing room only.
donh525 on October 27, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Mr. Irony strikes again.
Jim is really great at this.
drjohn on October 27, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Being a liberal means never having to hold yourself to the same standards you set for others.
The press would be eating a Republican President up for being so weak,partisan,and showing a total lack of leadership like this White House is doing with so much at stake.
The Press and other pundits can continue to spin and cover for Obama but one thing they can’t hide, is failure,which is looking like the theme of this administration as each day goes by.
Baxter Greene on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Isn’t it amazing, how liberals assume that nobody can concentrate on more than one thing at a time.
MarkTheGreat on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Even the person who got shot has admitted that it was his fault for being out of position. Quail hunting is not like deer hunting, where you have time to line up your shot, and make sure that there is nobody behind your target.
There’s a reason quail hunters walk in a line, it’s so the other hunters know where you are without looking. When a quail takes flight, there is no time to check on where the other guys are. The guy who got shot had gotten ahead of the line.
MarkTheGreat on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 AM
When Soros and Daley decide what to do Obama will announce it.
jukin on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Honor the fallen.
While our best wait, honor those who have fallen. See link above to see faces and names.
publiuspen on October 27, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Rushed???We are losing soldiers while he dithers!
ohiobabe on October 27, 2009 at 10:03 AM
haha I love it! As for our chicken in chief, he’s dragging his a$$ and doesnt care about our soldiers. Makes me sick!
becki51758 on October 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM
The number of fundraisers attended by Clinton after his first 10 months
in office-5
The number of fundraisers attended by Bush (W) after his first 10 months in office-6
The number of fundraisers attended by Obama after his first 10 months
in office-27
Too busy stuffing the war chest to give a damn about anything
but self preservation. I hope they choke on it.
elderberry on October 27, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Hey Ed, how about a topic extolling the virtues of a real role model for Americans, especially black Americans? Bill Cosby was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He insisted that the event be free from vile humor. He had refused the honor in the past because he objected to the profane routines at the event.
csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I think he needs to get off his chicken @$$ and make a decision.
ladyingray on October 27, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Moms are good at condensing the situation and shaming petulant children into behaving properly. Too bad that particular petulant punk just isn’t listening.
SKYFOX on October 27, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Hey Ed, how about a topic extolling the virtues of a real role model for Americans, especially black Americans? Bill Cosby was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He insisted that the event be free from vile humor. He had refused the honor in the past because he objected to the profane routines at the event.
csdeven on October 27, 2009
The bluest thing I ever heard Bill Cosby say during a comedy routine was in referring to his questioning of a drug user as to why he used drugs. The doper said that drugs “amplify the personality”. Cosby’s retort was: “But what if you’re an asshole?”.
SKYFOX on October 27, 2009 at 10:58 AM
OT
I won’t be able to make it, but hope you are there and sign up for the e-mail.
yoda on October 27, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Exactly. Even an indecisive president has had plenty of time to decide something. He keeps saying it will be a few more weeks, because he keeps hoping he’ll get his healthcare nationalization through in a few more weeks.
Obama has his priorities, and Afghanistan isn’t one of them. It’s just something he can’t get rid of right now.
tom on October 27, 2009 at 11:46 AM
No joy on the Cosby story Ed?
csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I’ve been listening to Bill since the mid 60’s. Dad used to play “To Russel, my brother whom I slept with” on his 8 track player in the car as we traveled across country. He is a credit to American values and a worthy role model for any American.
csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Obama is a dirtball.
justltl on October 27, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Actually, make that a craven dirtball.
Yep.
Better.
justltl on October 27, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Hate to put too fine a point on it for you…but…Barry just doesn’t care.
scituate_tgr on October 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Stop insulting craven dirtballs.
Obama-nation has made his decision. He will stall until everybody has forgotten that he declared the war in Afghanistan necessary, and then offer the Taliban weapons of mass destruction if they stay quiet until the pullout is complete.
darktood on October 27, 2009 at 6:06 PM
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