Obama: The system didn’t work; Update: Obama slammed by … AP?
posted at 5:20 pm on December 29, 2009 by Allahpundit
And so we finally reach Step 5 of The One’s damage-control protocol. There’s nothing interesting about this except the politics of it: He had to undo Napolitano’s moronic gaffe from Sunday and the perception that he wasn’t taking this as seriously as everyone who isn’t lounging on Waikiki this week, so here’s the obligatory two-birds-with-one-stone CYA. The choice of the words “systemic failure” is, needless to say, no accident.
Note the bit near the end about how even a system firing on all cylinders isn’t foolproof. Politico anticipated that this morning as security option number five.
Update: Good lord, Barry. If you’ve lost Jennifer Loven…
The Obama administration claim that “the system worked” after a failed aircraft bombing wasn’t quite as jolting as President George W. Bush’s “Brownie, you’re doing a heckuva job” when New Orleans was sinking under deadly Hurricane Katrina. But both raised disturbing questions about presidential response in a time of crisis…
Amid those questions, administration officials’ repeated statements Sunday that “the system worked” were jarring. They made it sound like the administration doesn’t get it, like it is paying too much attention to political fallout and too little to public fears…
For Obama, still short of one year in office, his narrative, critical or otherwise, isn’t set yet.
Nonetheless, rumblings keep resurfacing about emotional distance, even coldness. Whether it’s Wall Street bonuses or terrorist near-disaster, people wonder whether he feels as they do or ever acts out of passion.
Blowback
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To that end, is he saying people will still die under Obamacare? I’m stunned.
SouthernGent on December 29, 2009 at 5:23 PM
No Kidding.
Juno77 on December 29, 2009 at 5:23 PM
only took 4 days of polling to figure that out? good grief
gatorboy on December 29, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Nothing good will come of this.
JellyToast on December 29, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Janet Napolitano, come on down!
You’re the next contestant on the Wheels on the Bus go thud thud thud!
Ted Torgerson on December 29, 2009 at 5:24 PM
“And as I always say, it lead all the way to the top.. oh wait”
the_nile on December 29, 2009 at 5:25 PM
totally agree…
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Uh, he said the system failed, and then he said the system worked after it failed.
Plus, since when does the Presidency get a ‘do-over’? As, this is what this was… a do-over from his horrible statement yesterday.
Enoxo on December 29, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Oh there’s massive failure alright and it isn’t just ‘the system’ Mr. PrezBO.
Monica on December 29, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Obama is tired.
Hillary is mia.
Janet is Incompetano.
We are scroomed.
Schadenfreude on December 29, 2009 at 5:25 PM
He also blamed Bush for the “system failure.”
Enoxo on December 29, 2009 at 5:26 PM
While they’re dancing, Michelle must lead. Barack The Magnificent sure is practiced at walking backwards.
kingsjester on December 29, 2009 at 5:26 PM
I wonder why just an audio statement?
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Obama is not greater than Jesus. He is an underdeveloped narcissistic teenager, in over his head, big time.
His court is full of incompetent yes-sayers and ars kissers, with a Moaist agenda.
Schadenfreude on December 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
God Bless the USA!
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I wonder why just an audio statement?
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Because he hasn’t shaved and they forgot to pack the Just For Men.
kingsjester on December 29, 2009 at 5:28 PM
What an abysmal failure. We KNOW what went wrong Skippy.
YOU! And the Leftist agenda that put you in charge of America’s destruction.
The Leftist agenda is killing this country. We are being hit on all sides. From the Leftist Porkulus that will enslave our children for generations to the socialized Obamacare that will deny care based on a bureaucratic panels deciding your life or death, we have been under siege.
Terrorists are proud members of Obama’s circle of friends. Remember Bill Ayers? Where do you think O’bummers allegiances lie?
Guardian on December 29, 2009 at 5:29 PM
He was in his board-shorts, and his pecs weren’t rubbed down with oil yet.
Enoxo on December 29, 2009 at 5:29 PM
lol
makes sense
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Gosh! Now I know why libs think Barfy is so smart.
/not
Cody1991 on December 29, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Well, someone has to.
BacaDog on December 29, 2009 at 5:31 PM
It can’t be good for Obama that even allies like Politico are predicting his responses based on his history of inept proxies and dishonest tactics. The guy has tipped into joke territory. Which is really contemptible when 300 people just came thisclose to losing their lives to a terrorist attack.
RushBaby on December 29, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Toothpaste can’t be put back in the tube, horses can’t go back into barn, trains can’t return to the station, and the genie won’t get back in to the bottle.
You only have one chance to make a first impression, and unfortunately for America and the demonstrators in Iran, he has blown it. Over and over agin.
singlemalt_18 on December 29, 2009 at 5:31 PM
LMAO
GnuBreed on December 29, 2009 at 5:32 PM
He also blamed Bush for the “system failure.”
Enoxo on December 29, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Funny how the system worked for 7 years. I wonder what changed?
sarc/off
derft on December 29, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Is this going to be a crisis to be used to his advantage?
Cindy Munford on December 29, 2009 at 5:33 PM
:-)
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Were you channeling Noonan, Parker and MoDo? Gack!!!!!
/;))
Cody1991 on December 29, 2009 at 5:34 PM
The unprecedented decisiveness of President Pong: did work (look left)… didn’t work (look right)… did work (look left)… didn’t work (look right)…
ya2daup on December 29, 2009 at 5:34 PM
He just HAD to get that needle toward Bush. What a pantyman.
Key West Reader on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
My guess is that he made this announcement not to stop the bleeding in terms of public opinion but also because they’ve got more evidence that this was a bigger plot than earlier believed.
As they say, more to follow.
SteveMG on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Lowering the bar for Teh One in the event of a successful terrorist attack.
Bush was perfect after 9/11. Obama? He’s shooting 0 for 5. That’s one thing they WON’T be able to blame on Bush (although they’ll try and find a way).
conservative pilgrim on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Good one!
ya2daup on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Correct that: not just to stop the bleeding.
SteveMG on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
thieves. liars. idiots.
j_galt on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Notice how Obama covered for Nepolitano, implying that some of the information about the “suspect” has just come to light within the last 24 hours.
I don’t think he plans to throw her under the bus.
RushBaby on December 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
All three. I’m feeling a bit menopausal.
Enoxo on December 29, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Our only hope is to call out the security dogs.
Given Obama’s own precedence, we know what it means: transparency to enable more terrorists.
From the audio link, catch Obama claiming WE ACHIEVED MUCH TO PROTECT AMERICANS SINCE 9/11– blame/credit Bush’s achievements with our debt of lasting gratitude.
Obama insists on accountability every step of the way from our intelligence community. They already took the hit for Pelosi’s claim that the CIA lie to Congress all the time; and the hit for his administration’s illicit emailed go ahead to come crash the First State Dinner since no one would mind.
Just be quiet and get out of the way.
The wheels of his bus go ’round and around.
maverick muse on December 29, 2009 at 5:37 PM
I know why he made this statement… It was because he was informed of the Washington Times peice and needed to get out in front of that issue before he made a fool out of himself for the third time in three days..
Key West Reader on December 29, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Prolly. The Crypt Keeper, Pelosi, will start nattering about a VAT.
They won’t let anything get in the way of screwing taxpayers for more money while they’re facing flaming death in the air – or anywhere else, for that matter. These folks never lose focus!
Cody1991 on December 29, 2009 at 5:38 PM
His teleprompter woke him up last night and told him this could be a good opportunity.
Yeah, the system didn’t work. We need to change the system. We need to change it all! Everything. From gun control to the internet to free speech to private property!
Remember, you never want to waste a good crisis. And sometimes, you got to use the only crises you got.
If you want to feel comforted, remember how well congress responded to the crises of defective products and toys from China awhile back. They passed a law banning toys from being sold at yard sales unless you could produce evidence the toy had been tested free of lead. What were the fines? Like a million dollars or so??
Your government at work!
JellyToast on December 29, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Clearly Obama now knows what we need to do in order for the system to work properly…
Plant a Dutchman on every airplane.
Enoxo on December 29, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Or, to put it in the “Old Toungue”…
The Buck STARTS Here!
Romeo13 on December 29, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Couldn’t have happened to a more incompetent person, unless of course Obama runs over himself.
maverick muse on December 29, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Maybe B+rry can get Jamie Goerelick to help at DHS
phreshone on December 29, 2009 at 5:39 PM
I wonder why just an audio statement?
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
BetseyRoss on December 29, 2009 at 5:40 PM
He’s rushing the delivery.
Did he run out?
Surf’s Up?
aquaviva on December 29, 2009 at 5:41 PM
The “systematic failure” lies in the fact that screeners routinely seem to scrutinize people who they deem least likely to put up a fuss about it, rather than the people who most often resemble those who regularly attempt to commit a terrorist act.
JetBoy on December 29, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Seriously, someone in the media has to have the stones to stand up and either ask him directly, or Gibbs directly, when they’re going to get past the ‘blame it on Bush’ syndrome.
There’s no other position out there where you can enter as ‘the new guy’ and get away with blaming ‘the old guy’ for very long. This is ridiculous.
Midas on December 29, 2009 at 5:41 PM
He’s on vay-cay and didn’t want to put clothes on ?
macncheez on December 29, 2009 at 5:41 PM
only when it concerns his welfare….our welfare, heh not so much
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM
I thought they want someone who won’t make hasty decisions but will think about it…..months if he has to.
deidre on December 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM
How many terrorist attacks have occurred on Bozo’s watch? He and clown posse crew are the systemic failure.
Do you all still think NYC will be safe during the terrorist trials?
How many terrorists are ALREADY HERE and how many more amble across our borders at will?
dogsoldier on December 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM
now, back to the golf course
jp on December 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Obama is passionate for Star War’s characters.
Maxpower on December 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM
The swooning public and MSM wouldn’t be able to withstand a shirtless Obama on the beach holding a presser. They did it with us in mind – the little people.
gatorboy on December 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Ruh-roh. If Loven is questioning Obama, then all is NOT well.
conservative pilgrim on December 29, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Can’t I just finish my pineapple and coconut waffles?
WashJeff on December 29, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Maybe TOTUS wouldn’t lie anymore.
farright on December 29, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Rudy Giuliani to Chair DHS
Good NY Attorney General who tackled Organized Crime as NYC Mayor, and since learned from his painful 9/11 experience.
maverick muse on December 29, 2009 at 5:44 PM
you would think he wouldn’t want to pass up another photo op with totus
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Er.
Actually, people wonder if he ever uses responsibility, integrity, a work ethic, or common sense rather than a passionate devotion to left-wing pro-Marxist anti-Americanism.
But, other than that, it’s a great thesis.
cthulhu on December 29, 2009 at 5:45 PM
TOTUS wouldn’t leave the bar so he had to read the speechwriter’s speech himself on little index cards. In his board shorts.
Why doesn’t he leave Mee0Chelle and the kids down there to enjoy themselves, and return to the office. Any CEO would do the same without hesitation. Oh. Wait.
Key West Reader on December 29, 2009 at 5:45 PM
As I understand it the only reason the “system failed” is cause Obama and his cohorts didn’t use the system that Bush gave to him.
Sharr on December 29, 2009 at 5:45 PM
THE FACT 0BAMA WAS ELECTED IS A TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE!
moonbatkiller on December 29, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Someone should do a show on narcissism. Obama is the typical narcissist. No empathy for others. Can never see himself as wrong about anything.
Daggett on December 29, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Wow. The article linked in the update is actually quite balanced.
RushBaby on December 29, 2009 at 5:46 PM
I wonder why just an audio statement?
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Obama was dressed informally; bad move to ignore the serious nature because he’s on vacation.
maverick muse on December 29, 2009 at 5:46 PM
I think he’s already tapped her to head up the new cap-free Fannie Mae.
notropis on December 29, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Some Presidents are better at this than others …
HondaV65 on December 29, 2009 at 5:47 PM
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Well d’uh! Better start strip searching some more grannies.
Unless and until you guys pull your heads out of your collective asses and start playing to win instead of pussing out every chance you can get, you might as well lube up and bend over. Turning what is supposed to be the most free society in the world into a police state while refusing to admit that it is the members of a specific sect of a specific religion that wish you harm is simply madness.
G-man on December 29, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Antipathy marks Obama’s passion.
maverick muse on December 29, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Watch for the passion when Big Sis is dismissed.
WashJeff on December 29, 2009 at 5:49 PM
I’m sure Michelle packed him one nice suit
/s
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:49 PM
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:45 PM
BetseyRoss on December 29, 2009 at 5:50 PM
this reaction comes as no surprise. What you have to realize is, is that lefties and liberals know they can easily be killed by a terrorists bomb just like john and jane Q Public. Unlike hiding their money so they can keep it,Having corrupt friends in high places will not spare their lives. The terrorists can and will strike at any time and any place. Liberals and the media are stupid and bias but their blood flows red just like the rest of us.
They know there is no place they can hide to keep themselves safe because there is no safe place. If there was, they wouldn’t be fearing for their own lives and actually printing the truth
Niteowl45 on December 29, 2009 at 5:50 PM
this is bad, but it’s not like it’s Bush riding around in a golf cart or something. perspective people! /libtard off
gatorboy on December 29, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Ya know, it sounds just like he’s reading straight from a script – not even using a teleprompter.
Can he ever speak extemporaneously?!?!?!
tru2tx on December 29, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Another thread strangely troll free. Clay feet and all, I suppose.
GnuBreed on December 29, 2009 at 5:52 PM
thanks, didn’t know about TOTUS…the lack of leadership truly stands out in this situation
cmsinaz on December 29, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Hah, a colder than ice greater than Jesus. Teh heh!
Land, o great land of ours, what have you brung us?
Schadenfreude on December 29, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Oh, I think it is indeed set. They just can’t let go of the hope.
singlemalt_18 on December 29, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Matt Yglesias will not be pleased. He tried to defend the One’s lack of reaction by calling this “Not so scary terror,” but now his idol has gone and condescended to make two dumb speeches about it in two days.
Nichevo on December 29, 2009 at 5:55 PM
he ain’t gettin any Loven anymo
blatantblue on December 29, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Look for a major DISTRACTION in 4 – 3 – 2 – 1.
The fraud is in so far over his head he needs yet ANOTHER Axeldick created, political distraction before his numbers are spelled out…as in “one”.
GoldenEagle4444 on December 29, 2009 at 5:56 PM
The Obama method:
Step 1: Ignore.
Step 2: Play down incident via Press Secretary or other White House “unknown” source.
Step 3: Spin incident the way Obama wants problem to be perceived (i.e. there is no problem), even if spin is wrong.
Step 4. If fall out, get someone in administration to say spin taken out of context.
Step 5. If that does not stop the complaints, have Obama give a bland, lifeless reading of a standard press release – there incident is under control/no big thing.
Step 6. Repeat again, but acknowledge there could have been something to the incident. (If possible, have someone from White House blame Bush.)
Promise strong action.
Step 7. Wait for new problem or situation to occur, ignore the current one, go to step 1 on new problem.
albill on December 29, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Well, the last terror attack he did and did all of the “shout outs”. Look what happened then. Same deal now. When the next terror attack happens he will be just as vacant and cold. Who knows? By the end of 2010 he just might get better at speaking to the American people.
You know there will be more attacks.
BetseyRoss on December 29, 2009 at 5:57 PM
MO: What are you doin?
BHO : Putting a shirt on . Gotta go read a speech. But don’t worry, I’ll put on no pants. The shot will be from waistup only
MO : Who told you to put your clothes on? Did I tell you to put your clothes on ? Don’t you know we are on a vacation?
BHO : But..but..I have to readout a speech, the idiots er er people are waiting in front of their TVs
MO : No, it’ll be just an audio OK?
Now read into this mike. Chrissy ..Chrissy where are you?
BHO : He’s on pee break, his legs are acting up
MO : Read into this mike when he comes back. Is there anything you can do by yourself?
BHO : As you say
macncheez on December 29, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Allah might be being a bit too forgiving of the AP’s Jenny Love.
The first few ‘graphs of her story are standard Bush-bash, just to set the table for her mess-sigh-ah.
BTW Jen Gal, where were all those corpses in the Supa’ Dome anyhow?
Bruno Strozek on December 29, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Emphasis was mine. Note: they are still covering for teh one.
WitchDoctor on December 29, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Notice how Obama covered for Nepolitano, implying that some of the information about the “suspect” has just come to
96 hours later and he hasn’t said anything I didn’t know on Saturday.
Oh in case you forgot it’s Bushes fault.
The “systemic failure” in government goes back 4 years when Bush was……………………
Oh wait, didn’t Obama become a US Senator 4 years ago?
Is this Obama’s way of taking blame?
DSchoen on December 29, 2009 at 5:58 PM
First Place Winner!
You give “quick on your feet” new meaning.
singlemalt_18 on December 29, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Get a new Secretary of Homeland Security who knows the f*cking job!!!!
ladyingray on December 29, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Of course not. She was the first lesbian governor to dump Hillary and to help bring him.
He miscalculates, though. By saving her fat ars he will lose the confidence of the country even more, and that of the world. Incompetence has no excuses, not when it comes to security. She’s about as competent as a sack of potatoes.
By keeping her, he proves to be the same.
Schadenfreude on December 29, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I wonder if The Won is so eat up with himself that he thought there would not be any attacks while he is in office?
Cindy Munford on December 29, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Now now. The system Obama claimed worked, but then said it didn’t work exactly, was one that’s been in place for years. Obama inherited it. From Bush. See, if he could have built it from scratch, on Christmas, while golfing, it would have worked fine.
A good solid B+
starboardhelm on December 29, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I remember early this year AZ commentators glad to see her gone…now it is clear why.
WashJeff on December 29, 2009 at 6:00 PM
He’s lost that Loven feeeeeling! Whoa-oh that Loven feeling . . .
starboardhelm on December 29, 2009 at 6:01 PM
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