Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on January 26, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
When Earvin “Magic” Johnson played basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers, he was undoubtedly one of the most popular public figures in Southern California — arguably the most popular. His skill, his charm, and his success on and off the basketball court made him a superstar, and his work in the community made him a hero. In an era where most athletes become heroes with feet of clay, Magic was almost literally in a league of his own. When he had to suddenly retire because of a diagnoses of an HIV infection, there may not have been a dry eye in Southern California, and mine were no exception — and I’m not that big of a basketball fan. Magic transcended his sport in LA, and maybe throughout the nation.
The Lakers paid a visit to the White House yesterday, and Barack Obama singled out Magic for some praise. But considering Magic’s very public involvement with HIV research and treatment, including his own open fight against the disease, perhaps Obama could have found another way of praising Magic (emphasis mine):
We are obviously honored to have one of the all-time greats in NBA history, Magic Johnson. (Applause.) Magic did pretty well during his time with the Lakers. He wasn’t bad. (Laughter.) And now a new generation is continuing his legacy. But obviously part of what makes Magic special wasn’t just how he played on the court, but also just the infectious enthusiasm about life and what he’s now doing with businesses and minority communities. He’s just been an outstanding leader in our country for a long time.
This caused Major Garrett of Fox News to put out this message on Twitter:
Ahem. Obama salutes Magic Johnson & his “infectious enthusiasm” during East Room event hailing World Champs.
Ahem indeed.
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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THAT was certainly unexpected. Everything Odamna does these days seems unprecedented.
Crusader Rabbit on January 26, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Good Lord, that sounds like something Biden would say.
4shoes on January 26, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Poor choice of words for sure, but I think we are scraping the bottom of the barrel on this Obamateurism.
BierManVA on January 26, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Quite frankly, that statement to me doesn’t sound much better than “infectious enthusiasm.”
DaydreamBeliever on January 26, 2010 at 8:11 AM
Are the president’s speech writers goofing on him?
myrenovations on January 26, 2010 at 8:12 AM
All you have to do is imagine the MSM coverage if any republican had said this.
Mini-14 on January 26, 2010 at 8:13 AM
Was the TOTUS involved?
Disturb the Universe on January 26, 2010 at 8:14 AM
That whole basketball meet and greet was obnoxious. “Obama fawns over the Kardashian skank”. Again- Why is he the President?
anniekc on January 26, 2010 at 8:15 AM
Is Bidenism, er, infectious? This part of Dear Liar’s speech certainly will be memorable.
rbj on January 26, 2010 at 8:17 AM
Did anyone watch “House” last night? The story was about a woman who had no feelings, or emotions, and lied about everything for her own personal gain. She was a true sociopath. Does that storyline remind anyone of oh…I don’t know…..Obama?
milwife88 on January 26, 2010 at 8:17 AM
no doubt…
cmsinaz on January 26, 2010 at 8:18 AM
0 has already lost the huff po crowd over his freeze.
OmahaConservative on January 26, 2010 at 8:19 AM
So why does Obama hate Magic Johnson? I’ve read some think Obama is an expert in the way of the insult, so clearly there must be some reason that the only master of three dimensional chess like Obama would say that.
Seems like the very defintion of an Obamateurism (of the non-consequential variety).
jarodea on January 26, 2010 at 8:21 AM
totus must have been on break…
cmsinaz on January 26, 2010 at 8:21 AM
It was a public speech, what do you think?
highhopes on January 26, 2010 at 8:22 AM
When he was announcing his pick for VP, Obama said it would be someone who would challenge his thinking. I guess Biden is having an effect on him after all.
Kafir on January 26, 2010 at 8:23 AM
BS! We are not looking at the bottom of the barrel. We are peering down into the deep hole the most intelligent POTUS ever has dug for himself, and continues to deepen. This greatest orator ever is a pathetic joke, and proves it with every speech or public appearance.
Yoop on January 26, 2010 at 8:23 AM
Barry is one of the Fun People.
TimBuk3 on January 26, 2010 at 8:25 AM
took a look see over there…you’re not kidding
cmsinaz on January 26, 2010 at 8:25 AM
I’m wondering, why are more reality-show people in the White House? Does this President ever stop the partying? I think that’s why he wanted the presidency, so he could travel and have lots of parties and be on tv. Seriously.
4shoes on January 26, 2010 at 8:26 AM
Not to worry,
State of the Union at the circus tomorrow. ” The greatest show on earth ”
The biggest gathering of clowns under one tent in the world and starring Bozo.
bluegrass on January 26, 2010 at 8:27 AM
OT: Has anyone wandered over to dkos this morning? Three of the diaries on the rec list are from those who say they are leaving the site over the bitter infighting going on. It\’s glorious.
schmitty on January 26, 2010 at 8:27 AM
LOL!!! Biden is a challenge, if nothing else!!
4shoes on January 26, 2010 at 8:28 AM
Smartest President, EVAH!!!
Caper29 on January 26, 2010 at 8:28 AM
Thank God Obama’s grasp of the language is amateurish, too, or he’d have said Johnson’s enthusiasm is transmittable, not infectious.
Dusty on January 26, 2010 at 8:28 AM
Bad choice of words, but I’d give the guy a pass on that one.
Doughboy on January 26, 2010 at 8:29 AM
Meltdown at huffpo, too.
OmahaConservative on January 26, 2010 at 8:30 AM
This is what you get when an administration appoints 24 year olds to write speeches. They don’t know or understand history.
jbh45 on January 26, 2010 at 8:31 AM
Puff the Magic Dragon has lost his abracadabra.
yoda on January 26, 2010 at 8:32 AM
Gee. And all Hillary got from him was a “You’re likeable enough.”
backwoods conservative on January 26, 2010 at 8:33 AM
I refuse to wade over into that slime.
…It’s infectious…
rightside on January 26, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Obviously, Obama was speaking without his teleprompter. He’s a much better speaker using visual AIDS.
halfastro on January 26, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Saw it and yes..I thought of out POS president. heh
becki51758 on January 26, 2010 at 8:37 AM
What a Bringdown: Did the MSM Get Too High on Hopeium?
OmahaConservative on January 26, 2010 at 8:39 AM
That’s exactly what got us where we are. Too many people and organizations bending over backwards to give Obama a pass.
Well, the day-pass is over.
Yoop on January 26, 2010 at 8:39 AM
Truth. Fortunately, or unfortunately, part of my job is dealing with people like that, so I’ve become more or less immune.
schmitty on January 26, 2010 at 8:40 AM
Freudian slip?
ted c on January 26, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Freaking hilarious!
4shoes on January 26, 2010 at 8:44 AM
More power to you, you provide a safe view inside the fetid swamp.
rightside on January 26, 2010 at 8:45 AM
You need to improve your reading comprehension abilities.
uknowmorethanme on January 26, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Ditto.
DrStock on January 26, 2010 at 8:46 AM
WoW!!!
yoda on January 26, 2010 at 8:47 AM
“I have only got one three letter word to say about Obama’s “infectious” comment and it’s.. “A-i-d-s”…….
……”stand up magic!!!!!”…..”stand up!!!!!”……
Baxter Greene on January 26, 2010 at 8:48 AM
This kind of backhanded compliment, directed at Magic Johnson, is embarrassing but doesn’t really hurt anything. But imagine what will happen when Obama makes a similar blunder with some international figure (and you know he will). Say, the PM of China, for example.
jwolf on January 26, 2010 at 8:49 AM
President Barack Hussein Obama has a gift.
Bishop on January 26, 2010 at 8:49 AM
BHO to Tiger…”You have cheated all the odds…”
DJ from MA on January 26, 2010 at 8:49 AM
From the huff po:
OmahaConservative on January 26, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Gee, thanks, I’ll keep that in mind just because you said so.
DaydreamBeliever on January 26, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Magic Johnson never met a woman he didn’t size up right away and discard or hit on. He had a dedicated room at The Forum for such affairs.
Magic’s contribution to minorities and the community are low paying part-time jobs in a movie theater. Yipee! “Stay in school kids, to 3rd grade, so you too can run a cash register and not get benefits. P.S. We don’t use E-Verify.”
His AIDS efforts are down the line progressive or Democrat infested for local power status payouts only. It’s not about helping people but getting publicity that you are concerned with helping people. So L.A. and it has served him well enough to get back on the Laker bench.
He is the phoniest professional athlete I ever dealt with.
FeFe on January 26, 2010 at 8:51 AM
Whoever loaded that phrase on the teleprompter should be fired.
R Square on January 26, 2010 at 8:51 AM
Sounds like my ex-wife. No wonder I’ve never liked Obama.
TXUS on January 26, 2010 at 8:52 AM
What does an Obama speechwriter need to know about history? All relevant history dawned on 11/4/08 and was in full bloom on 1/20/09. The dark times before the age of hope and change is simply referred to as “the previous eight years.”
highhopes on January 26, 2010 at 8:53 AM
I realize that it is not in my nature to give this jerk the benefit of the doubt but that line sounds intentional to me.
He is the smartest guy in the room and every other godlike thing he can think of. It was meant to elevate hisself over Magic.
Pretty simple for a simple guy with one agenda, himself.
ORconservative on January 26, 2010 at 8:54 AM
Better yet, whoever loaded the teleprompter with the odious phrase should be threatened with firing then given a Presidential reprieve, thereby joining the growing tally of jobs saves.
R Square on January 26, 2010 at 8:54 AM
highhopes on January 26, 2010 at 8:53 AM
How true.
Pre Obama=The Dark Ages
Reign of the Sun King=Enlightenment
R Square on January 26, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Yeah, but we got a shipment of some really good changeium coming in November.
TXUS on January 26, 2010 at 9:02 AM
I’m feeling for the One’s little girls. I get the feeling that one day, they’re going to get “The Talk” while their dad stands at a podium with both TOTUSes and the entire speechwriting team in the room.
Laura in Maryland on January 26, 2010 at 9:03 AM
I don’t care what he has done in the community. The fact of the matter is professional athletes, particularly basketball players, are not good role models. They have convinced every inner-city black kid that he can be the next Michael Jordon or Magic Johnson. That they will be the next Lebron James. In reality the vast majority of players are nothing but high paid street thugs. Ron Artest or the whole Arenas/Crittedon gun battle in Washington this year.
Instead of honoring the Lakers, Obama (particularly as a nominally black man) should be doing with stuff like encouraging black males to buck the statistical facts and be a part of their childrens’ lives. To stem the tide of teenaged pregnancies and welfare dependence. All of this is a better platform than hanging out with a bunch of overpaid, under-educated street thugs who happen to have the ability to put a ball through a hoop with consistency.
highhopes on January 26, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Can’t resist:
Imagine if Bush had said this…
bridgetown on January 26, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Definitions
Loose cannon: Obama speaking extemporaneously.
Basilsbest on January 26, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Nice backhanded compliment, Michelle was prolly one of Magic’s **ahem** special fans back in the day, and Barry found out.
Alden Pyle on January 26, 2010 at 9:08 AM
…and immediately put on Leno’s writing staff
Alden Pyle on January 26, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Someone switched Bidden’s teleprompter….
tinkerthinker on January 26, 2010 at 9:17 AM
R Square on January 26, 2010 at 9:20 AM
Obama’s aids could not be reached for comment.
Shy Guy on January 26, 2010 at 9:21 AM
ROFL!
leilani on January 26, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Is this man not an idiot or what?:)and the tele. in the classroom???! He is getting even more rediculous than even I thought he could get.
ohiobabe on January 26, 2010 at 9:22 AM
On or off prompter? I can be (slightly) more forgiving if this is off the cuff.
But if someone wrote this, loaded into TOTUS, and the Excellent Orator let this fly without catching himself…
Maybe stupidity is contagious?
cs89 on January 26, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Oh yeah, you nailed it.
Jerome Horwitz on January 26, 2010 at 9:24 AM
I was wondering how you could possible ignore the
“The big difference here and in ‘94 was you’ve got me”
as the Obamateurism of the Day.
I wonder no more.
Dumbest President in history.
MNHawk on January 26, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Obama is such a dingus!
mizflame98 on January 26, 2010 at 9:34 AM
+1000
TXUS on January 26, 2010 at 9:35 AM
More confirmation that cool people say just as many stupid things. They just get a pass because of their appearance.
Mojave Mark on January 26, 2010 at 9:36 AM
“Hopeium”–great article! Problem is–it’s available over-the-counter…
lovingmyUSA on January 26, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Your wife was a fool…
lovingmyUSA on January 26, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Incompetence or infiltration?
SKYFOX on January 26, 2010 at 10:01 AM
I am here to read assinine statements from the teleprompter , but first I want to give a shout out to the the medal of honor winner Muggsy Bogues .
borntoraisehogs on January 26, 2010 at 10:06 AM
He’s president because we have shows like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” on TV.
CurtZHP on January 26, 2010 at 10:24 AM
I didn’t, nor do I now, believe this clown has aids. He was at the end of his career. I think he made more money “getting aids” and leaving the game than he would have had he stayed. Pat Riley quit after ervin left. I think because of the deal ervin made with the devil. I respected Laker fans until they made ervin a “hero” because he “got aids”. If ervin got aids, he certainly shouldn’t be considered a hero because of it. Oh yeah, let’s make a guy who gets a disease from screwing lots of women (and cheating on his wife in the process)a hero. That’s our hero.
I claim bulls***.
SuperManGreenLantern on January 26, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Nobody out ‘superstar’ BHO.
Other superstar in the presence of the One needs a needle jab to deflate the ego problem.
Sir Napsalot on January 26, 2010 at 10:35 AM
This guy only wanted to be President so he could meet famous athletes and movie stars. For a smart guy he’s dumber than a fencepost.
thomasaur on January 26, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Well, FINALLY .. a flub I can actully ROFLOL over.
Instead of hanging, shaking my head in utter embarrassment.
Sorry.. just tickled the funnybone over this one.
Go figure.
NOW hanging, shaking head in utter embarrasment.
Sigh.
pambi on January 26, 2010 at 11:06 AM
What next? Praise for Steven Hawkings?
Obama: I’m pleased to announce that Steven will be running in a marathon….eeerrrr what? Oh…he’ll be sponsoring a marathon.
Obama, maybe it’s time to go back to your tinker toys, and let the adults handle things?
capejasmine on January 26, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Classic.
RachDubya on January 26, 2010 at 12:41 PM
I know, I know, you and others (myself included) are very fair-minded people. But the point that the brilliant Major Garrett (he and Jake Tappert are the only real reporters on the WH press corps) the point that Garrett is making is that Bush, when he was president, was NEVER given a pass.
Of course, even I – a Bush supporter who voted for him twice and miss him now more than ever (no he wasn’t perfect) even I remember fondly how Bush sincerely talked about OB Gyn’s being unfairly burdened by high malpractice insurance premiums, which diminish their ability to “Show their love” to their patients. I have to admit to chuckling a bit over that one. All presidents make fumbles – none have gotten more kid glove treatment than Obama.
It’s worse than kid-glove treatment. The MSM is Obama’s wet nurse.
kscheuller on January 26, 2010 at 4:23 PM
“It is not enough that I succeed, all other must fail.” In his mind it is as subtle as a middle finger scratching his nose.
AnotherOpinion on January 26, 2010 at 4:33 PM