Poll: What was the Obamateurism of the Week?
posted at 9:40 am on November 1, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
It’s time to pick another Obamateurism of the Week, and I’m posting this early enough so that your golf outings won’t interfere with your focus on this critical decision. We have a competitive spread of choices today, so I doubt anyone will feel marginalized. Take your time and choose carefully — after all, you can’t just wing it on this decision. Feel free to campaign for your favorite in the comments section — after all, we always have a full house there, and people generally say what they mean. (Do they ever!)
Previous “winners”:
- WH retreats on Fox News war when other broadcasters object
- Obama declares war — on liberal bloggers and Fox News
- US was on “path to recovery” before durable goods orders fell, mass layoffs rose
- Obama goes to Copenhagen (and comes home empty)
- Taxes, definitions, auto insurance, and Merriam-Webster dictionaries
- Throwing Poland under the bus on missile defense on 70th anniversary of Soviet invasion
- Obama warns of “partisan scare tactics,” warns “people will die” if ObamaCare stalls
- Obama doesn’t check to see if schools in session for his national speech
- Getting all wee-wee’d up
- The “public option” is just like the Post Office!
- We’re going to listen to other people’s ideas, except that people who disagree should shut up
- Snitch Central for ObamaCare dissenters
- Rushing legislation bad in 2004, essential in 2009
- Obama opines on Gates arrest without “having all the facts”
- Obama salutes the Ghana flag
- Obama jokes about Alaska sale with Russians
- Obama uses union and DNC plants at health-care town hall
- Obama plants a question on Iran with HuffPo
- Change in Iran coming because “Obviously, after the speech I made in Cairo…”
- Flashing his soles to the camera while talking to Netanyahu
- “If you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.”
- “We can no longer afford to spend as if deficits do not matter and waste is not our problem.”
- Siccing Tim Geithner and Charlie Rangel on tax cheats
- Phony Churchill quote on torture throws Grandpa under the bus
- Torture probe flip-flop
- Obama covers up IHS while quoting Jesus
- Austrian is a language?
- Obama bows to the Saudi king
- 1908 Model T got better gas mileage than today’s SUVs
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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This guy really is terrible.
p0s3r on November 1, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Whatever our Tool-in-Chief says, figure he’ll do the opposite. Maybe THAT is what he meant by “the most transparent administration ever”.
bradley11 on November 1, 2009 at 9:44 AM
I had to go with the last one. The only thing McVain did right in the last election was choose Palin. The guy who chose Biden says that was a dumb move????? Kay
conservnut on November 1, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Had to go with the unslick Deeds, who himself personifies an Obamateurism.
TXUS on November 1, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Are we allowed more than one vote? It’s getting harder and harder to pick just ONE.
Hog Wild on November 1, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I went with the “We don’t need people who are slick, who say one thing and do another.” You’re right, BO, we don’t. Kindly exit, stage left.
backwoods conservative on November 1, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Ed, is your webmaster aware of the time change?
TXUS on November 1, 2009 at 9:49 AM
I went with the Global Warming deniers. I have to stick with my people. I think I will buy a used Expedition.
Cindy Munford on November 1, 2009 at 9:51 AM
The fact that the standing President cannot fill a room on a campaign swing for a liberal-heavy northeastern state says it all. This man is a failure and he is taking our country down before our eyes.
jbh45 on November 1, 2009 at 9:51 AM
The Af-pak focus.
I make my picks based on the amount I think the screw up will hurt Obama in the polls. Picking a retard as VP? That’s just helping the handicapped.
The specific thing about Cheney and golf isn’t the crux of it. It’s criticizing Bush for “not caring enough” about Afghanistan, and then spending 20 minutes out of his first 8 months meeting with the theater commander.
Causing crises isn’t great; but a Socialist leader with a good propaganda effort can always overcome that. The problem is that Obama is, despite the media’s best efforts to bail him out, taking personal OWNERSHIP of his screw ups.
There is no way that even The Messiah can recover from that.
logis on November 1, 2009 at 9:52 AM
This Marxist cares more about his golf handicap than he does the fact that he is handicapping our troops deliberately.
kingsjester on November 1, 2009 at 9:53 AM
+100
becki51758 on November 1, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Ed, please, make ‘all of the above’ as an option. This is another week where I’d like to choose all of the above as the Obamateurism of the Week.
mz.josephine on November 1, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Spaced out over weeks, all of these would win.
uknowmorethanme on November 1, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Hypocrite!
yoda on November 1, 2009 at 10:14 AM
All of the Above!
geckomon on November 1, 2009 at 10:18 AM
“…says Patrick may not get re-elected.” in MA?
In this case I hope the First Golfer is right!
Really Right on November 1, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I read these and it makes me wonder – Does he have any idea how absolutely ridiculous and hypocritical he sounds? If not, there is seriously something wrong with him.
sherry on November 1, 2009 at 10:19 AM
If Obama was any more arrogant…..Ehh, who the hell am I kidding? He couldn’t possibly be any more arrogant than he already is.
csdeven on November 1, 2009 at 10:23 AM
My vote: Continuing to leave hanging the tens of thousands of serving troops, officers, commanders and support staff in Afghanistan.
To: The President Of The United States:
Sir, it’s now over three months since your authorization was requested for reinforcements in order to combat pure evil where it resides.
The fact you did not, within a maximum of 24 hours, decide positively or negatively on this request, makes you simply unfit to command anyone who has placed their life on the line for America’s Flag, America’s Constitution, America’s Rights and America’s Freedom.
You have abdicated your sworn oath of responsibilities to The Constitution of The United States of America and her people, many of who voted for you to apparently do just that, as all they saw and cared about was physicality and a perceived presence.
You, Sir, are not a King and certainly not God.
I somewhat respectfully implore you to amend your actions and words…. or are you deliberately attempting to incite an uprising on multiple levels so your controllers, you and your underlings can clamp down on our nation and individual Rights, liberties and freedoms ?
Kenny Solomon
DC Works For Us
http://www.DCWorksForUs.com
http://www.meetup.com/dcworksforus
E T Cartman on November 1, 2009 at 10:26 AM
All of that idiocy in one week? WTF!
Howcome on November 1, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Have to go with the Afghan war, though it really is a sad spectacle that Ogabe is twirling on his thumb while our soldiers are left hanging.
Bishop on November 1, 2009 at 10:27 AM
For his next round of golf, may Obama shoot one stroke per US soldier death in Afghanistan this year. That would be 281 strokes; maybe then he will get discouraged about golfing & get down to the business of conducting a war.
GnuBreed on November 1, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Had to go with golf. He insists that he needs more time to get his work done, and then spends that time campaigning, golfing and appearing on David Letterman. It’s nothing short of dereliction of duty. Anybody else would get fired for this kind of behavior.
Dee2008 on November 1, 2009 at 10:29 AM
My source for the 281 deaths is here. Very informative site.
GnuBreed on November 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Obama and his people actually planned to say and do whatever it took to get elected. They never had any intention of following through on any of it. Obama and his crew are without integrity, basic honesty and honor. They will follow these very same tactics should they run again in 2012. Just watch and see. Never trust folks who do not back their promises unless there is a really good reason why not. These kinds of people are either people who never meant to in the first place or lack the character and guts to put themselves and their hollow promises on the line when the need arises.
jeanie on November 1, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I picked Af-Pak, even though I kind of wanted to pick “all of the above.”
While he’s dithering around, the troops in the coalition are losing their lives. It’s a disgrace.
It’s like he’s never been able to make a big decision in his life. Oh wait, that is true….
mjk on November 1, 2009 at 10:37 AM
I once called Obama the used car salesman of the campaign. Say whatever you have to do get what you want with no intention of follow up. A friend of mine told me I was dead wrong. She’s very quiet lately….
mjk on November 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Had to go with dithering while golfing. Paraphrasing a HA contributor:
Obama stalls
Soldiers fall
BitterClinger on November 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I hope the Fool in Chief does pull out of Afghanistan; Because the Taliban/Al Qaeda will go for Washington D.C. and take that place without much of a battle; And when they try to conquer the outlying cities and towns, they’ll get their asses kicked by the real citizens whom make up this country, and who will rebuild Washington D.C.
Maybe the dis-information of the main stream media will serve the U.S. in a covert manner, since our enemies are eating it up daily.
Cybergeezer on November 1, 2009 at 10:40 AM
For me it was the Slick comment. Was he speaking about himself?
antisocial on November 1, 2009 at 10:43 AM
After a few hundred more troop die, he’ll pull out. Then there will be another terrorist attack in America and he’ll have no one to blame but himself.
Oh who am I kidding? He’ll blame Boooosh and possibly the JOOOOS.
mjk on November 1, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Seconded. Obama fits right in with the joke about how you can tell when a salesman is lieing—-”when he opens his mouth”.
Maybe the reason Obama likes golf so much is that the game actually allows you to have a handicap. Too bad he doesn’t know the difference when he walks off the course.
Rovin on November 1, 2009 at 10:47 AM
He’s an overachiever! We ought not have expected anything less from The Smartest Precedent evah! — who communicates with the unwashed masses through The Smartest Press Secretary evah! who is just one of many exceptionally brilliant members of The Most Transparent Administration evah! — and is working diligently to bring us hopenchange with The Most Ethical Congress evah!
ya2daup on November 1, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Obama? Shameless.
TheAlamos on November 1, 2009 at 10:48 AM
AfPak dithering, hands down.
ya2daup on November 1, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Going forward, please endeavor to spell the words correctly and always place in full context…….
Teh Eeeeevil Jooooooooooos and Teh Eeeeevil Booooooooooosh.
Eleven “o’s”…… because “ours go to eleven.”
Five “e’s”, I have no idea why, but it’s the long-standing tradition.
….. and I’m all about tradition.
;-)
Cheers !
Kenny
http://www.DCWorksForUs.com
E T Cartman on November 1, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Seriously. And to quote my old Grandpa:
“Child! Are you young, or just damn ignorant”?
anniekc on November 1, 2009 at 10:53 AM
O/T: More terrorists sent to Palau…
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aZ94ENxI0j7k
Joe Caps on November 1, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Tough choice this week. BTW since the White House staff comes up with some real “dumbisms’ of their own, maybe you could have a poll of some of those as well each week.
They should have have Dunn and Jarrett in front of the cameras every day. When VJ made that truth to power comment, I thought she was stuck in the 60′s or something. Then I realized, these inner circle people are the worst from the 60′s.
b3026 on November 1, 2009 at 10:56 AM
My opinion? Just show him swinging a golf club like a sissy.
LtE126 on November 1, 2009 at 10:58 AM
The Narcissist-in-Chief needs to learn that you can’t turn pontificated nonsense into truth.
BottomLine5 on November 1, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Although Afghanistan is more important, I went with the above because I believe even political neophytes did a double take on that one. Obummer is the epitome of slick. Ironically, I believe he was trying to tap into the nearly universal voter outrage that has been so well expressed by the tea party movement.
Lightswitch on November 1, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Golfer in Chief, I like that one!
JimK on November 1, 2009 at 11:08 AM
If this is what having the smarterest president is, let’s go back to dumb ones.
jukin on November 1, 2009 at 11:11 AM
My rapidly increasing dislike of Obama, not just his policies anymore, but the man himself seems to grow hourly. I keep coming to the unwelcome conclusion that there is no way to separate the inner man from his policies. They are each other. I grow weary of hearing that one can like him personally but dislike his policies. I can’t. As I see it they are one in the same, especially since he is in a position to alter or abandon some of these and does not. Perhaps if he, now and then, came sincerely before the American people and explained why or why not he has to back away from his promises—in down to earth, non-emotive ways. At least then, I could hear his side and weigh things for my self. Not only do I continue to see him as more and more destructive, I see a man who lacks humility to such a degree that he feels he does not owe us an explanation or reason. Even Gibbs,Rahm and Axelrod exude this same ‘We’re right, take it or leave it’ attitude.
jeanie on November 1, 2009 at 11:12 AM
No, they would not at the rate this boob is committing mistakes. It is sincerely hoped that these can be compiled into a book. I’m thinking something multi-volume like the Encyclopedia Brittannica.
By the way, can anyone provide links on the “can’t fill a room in Massachusetts” choice?
VoyskaPVO on November 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM
All of the Above!
jgapinoy on November 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Had to go w/the Af-Pak thing. Criticizing his predecessor for lack of focus on this most serious matter, and then going out to raise money and PLAY GOLF – pot, meet kettle.
(Was that racist, BTW?)/sarc
Just another week in the life of our dilettante president.
I keep asking myself, “What did we do to deserve this bozo?” and then I remember there are way too many answers to that question.
Lurking Vet on November 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM
From the reader not a leader Obamao … Say one thing and do anything you want.
tarpon on November 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM
It’s getting harder and harder to choose the Obamateurism of the week…
disa on November 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM
How does a man who is clearly ill on every major front in the psychoanalysis world, make it to the the top of the food chain?
What does that say about the rest of the food chain…
“sigh”
katy on November 1, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Talk about a loaded stated kingsjester.
chemman on November 1, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I wish for once he would own the presidency. He came up with his miracle strategy for Afghanistan back in March. Now that it’s time to implement the so called brilliant strategy he plays golf, throws weekly lawn parties, speechifies us daily (ug) and can’t get out of campaign mode. He should just step down. Biden would do less damage.
Key West Reader on November 1, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I chose: Accusing Cheney not focusing on Af-Pak just before heading out to 3 fundraisers and a golf outing.
As we head into 2010, I suspect Obama will have to devote the majority of his time fundraising for his fellow Dems who vote/support the healthcare fiasco. In 2011, Obama will hit the re-election campaign trails. Either his golf games will suffer, or the duties/responsibilities of the office he holds. The media will promise you he can multi-task; but then again, the media never seems to report that Obama has failed to staff the Treasury..
TN Mom on November 1, 2009 at 11:33 AM
O’Beta sure presents a target rich environment.
fargo_pete on November 1, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I really like the “context clip” that you sometimes provide Ed. I vote for the context video clip.
Mojave Mark on November 1, 2009 at 11:35 AM
This should be the quote of the day. Since we have no way of knowing the heart of a person the only tool we have to evaluate them is what they do. If what they do is evil then they are evil.
chemman on November 1, 2009 at 11:36 AM
FIFY
MarkBoabaca on November 1, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I went with “We don’t need people who are slick, who say one thing and do another”.
Apparently, so did Chris Muir.
Rusty Bill on November 1, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Michael Moore this morning on the radio called Obama the equivalent of a semi-pro basketball player trying to right the overwhelming mistakes of the past eight years.
Even the whacky leftists know they have their hopes pinned on a rank amateur.
FireBlogger on November 1, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I picked Obama chiding Cheney about right before going out for fundraisers and a round of golf. But really, it’s a 5-way tie this week.
Barack Hussein Obama: Putting the ‘Mess’ in Messiah since 1/20/09.
Left Coast Right Mind on November 1, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I was out on Friday night at a tavern, and stepped outside for a smoke. I was talking to a few people (who I had never met before), and inevitably the topic of Politics eventually came up. A couple of the guys were former service men (more conservative) and one woman was an ardent Obama supporter who insisted that he was doing a great job.
I expressed shock (in a nice way) that anyone, after his first 9 months in office, would STILL think he was dong anything but a miserable job. She of course had no knowledge of any of the issues that he’s been facing (the failure of Porkulus and C4C, appointing Marxists as Czars, etc etc).
Finally, we found some common ground that we disagreed on runaway spending. When she referred to herself as a fiscal conservative (I’m not kidding), I finally realized that there was no point in trying to have a rational discussion with her.
UltimateBob on November 1, 2009 at 11:44 AM
“Present”
Slogan of the year.
2ipa on November 1, 2009 at 11:45 AM
It’s linked in the text above the poll – click on “full house” in the last sentence.
Rusty Bill on November 1, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Um…. looks like the Hot Air server needs to be adjusted for the end of Daylight Savings time.
UltimateBob on November 1, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Liberals, by definition and demonstration, are not rational.
Rusty Bill on November 1, 2009 at 11:49 AM
good choices Ed….
hope I chose…wisely :-)
–
picked #3 classic obama…
cmsinaz on November 1, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Our economy is engulfed in flames and the liberals think it’s ok that Team Obama try to figure out where the fire hose is, how to hook it up to the hydrant, how to crank the ladder truck…
Ready to lead on day 365???!!!
TN Mom on November 1, 2009 at 11:58 AM
In the spirit of “Do as I say and not as I Do,” I had to go with the “accusing Cheney of not focusing on Af-Pak choice” since Obama is taking such a looooooong time to make his easy-as-pie strategic decision AND is burdened with socializing and campaigning to besides.
.
I cannot tell you that I am surprised that the MSM legacy propagandists are providing a soft and easy place to fall for America’s first Affirmative Action President. Thank God we have the conservative blogosphere, including HotAir, to exchange ideas and provide support for conservative action.
.
Congratulations to Bob McDonnell! (McDonnell has the courage to release his graduate work for all to review; Obama the empty suit, not so much).
ExpressoBold on November 1, 2009 at 11:59 AM
So many great choices, and only one vote… Sometimes I wish I were a lib democrat, so I could vote multiple times. Then I come to my senses.
rmgraha on November 1, 2009 at 12:08 PM
That was a tough vote. I think we needed an “All of the Above” option this week.
Buford Gooch on November 1, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Having Biden at #2 and Pelosi at #3 increases the safety margin for Obama.
Star20 on November 1, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Obama is forcing Afghanistan to re-re-elect Kharzi who is unopposed in the “run-off”. At least former Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah’s withdrawal from next weekend’s election proves he has more regard for the Afghan people than the others do, since elections take the lives of those who attempt to vote in Afghanistan. Kharzi and Obama seem to have much in common, corrupt administrations run by organized criminal thugs with big promises that only deplete each region’s stability and the liberty of citizenry.
maverick muse on November 1, 2009 at 12:18 PM
The Cheney bash. The Whine has been briefed on AfPak since before the election. Be serious and don’t play politics with our troops.
rbj on November 1, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Can’t wait for the 2010 elections, followed by Impeachment and passage of the Omnibus Repeal of Foolish Legislation Act.
landlines on November 1, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Man, tough choices this week – they’re all such pathetic displays.
I went with the golfing one – what an a-hole this guy is.
RedNewEnglander on November 1, 2009 at 1:20 PM
I’m going to sound redundant, but I sure wished, especially on this weeks categories, there was an “all of the above”. It’s sure hard to choose, but ultimately, I had to go with Obama going golfing, and fundraising, after condemning Cheney for not being focused.
Can we all say HYPOCRITE!!!
capejasmine on November 1, 2009 at 1:29 PM
ALL OF THE ABOVE!
txag92 on November 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Obviously there IS something seriously wrong with our Golfer in Chief. However, I find it truly amazing that not one of many advisors seems to care enough to point out to Barry that he looks and sounds like an ignorant moron when he constantly makes these asinine and hypocritical statements. How can one man be so unaware and so wrong on so many different things? Those big floppy ears serve no purpose as long as he refuses to hear anything.
Barb Dwyer on November 1, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Damn Obambi. This guy’s so full of it that he can’t give us a ‘clear’ choice each week. By the time Teh Won is done in 2012, the Book of Obamteurism will exceed ‘War & Peace in page count — better yet, exceed the # of dead trees felled to print out all the Donk legislative proposals, i.e. ObamaCare, Cap ‘n Tax, Stimucrap, et cetera, et cetera and et cetera.
But, I’ll have to go with the Cheney riposte, only because it’s a ‘clear’ contrast between adults and whining brats that never earned an honest dime in their lives.
AH_C on November 1, 2009 at 2:53 PM
+1000
NoFanofLibs on November 1, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Palau? PALAU?
Only one of the most pristine areas of the planet;
I’m sure I can come up with a lame terrorist threat! What a retirement!
Cybergeezer on November 1, 2009 at 4:37 PM
What does Obama do when he’s not playing golf? Plays pocket pool!
Cybergeezer on November 1, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I really wanted to vote for all of the choices as they are all such blatant evidence of amateurism, but went with option number two
Willie on November 1, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Obamateurism 101… always accuse your critic of what you yourself are guilty of. Deflection.
Griz on November 1, 2009 at 6:40 PM
May I suggest adding an option for an All of the Above choice?
redwhiteblue on November 1, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Gotta be in the minority and go with Deeds.
What’s next? Accusing others of relying too much on the teleprompter?
MNHawk on November 2, 2009 at 8:10 AM
I understand why Ed doesn’t allow for “all of the above” in these votes. It would be too easy to choose that option. His way, we have to consider the various levels of stupidity in Obama’s actions/words and decide for ourselves which was most egregious. Forces us to think about it at least for a bit. I don’t mind being in the minority with my pick. I’m used to it by now.
SKYFOX on November 2, 2009 at 8:35 AM