Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on August 18, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
Barack Obama wants people around the world to buy American, he told a Rural Economic Forum as part of his Midwestern bus tour this week:
We’ve got folks in America driving Kias and Hyundais. I want to see folks in Korea driving Fords and Chryslers and Chevys. (Applause.) I want to sell goods all over the world that are stamped with three words: “Made in America.”
How did Obama model that behavior? By buying Canadian:
President Obama is barnstorming the heartland to boost US jobs in a taxpayer-financed luxury bus the government had custom built — in Canada, The Post has learned.
The $1.1 million vehicle, one of two that Quebec-based Prevost sold the government, has been tricked out by the Secret Service with state-of-the-art security features and creature comforts.
It’s a VIP H3-45 model, the company’s top of the line, and is used by major traveling rock bands.
“That’s the more luxurious model,” Christine Garant of Prevost told The Post.
Maybe more people around the world would buy American products if the American President bought them himself.
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!
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
do what i say not what i do….
cmsinaz on August 18, 2011 at 8:08 AM
I guess he’s thrown America under the bus, too.
eforhan on August 18, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Good one, Ed.
“Buy as I say, not as I buy.”
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 18, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Ed, he is simply spreading OUR wealth around. What is wrong with that? /s
herm2416 on August 18, 2011 at 8:10 AM
“Let’s get Canada working again!” Er, was something lost in translation? I prefer Perry’s version.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 18, 2011 at 8:11 AM
I thought we had established that the rules that apply to the rest of us don’t apply to Obama.
radjah shelduck on August 18, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Another superb example of “optics” by our current Administration…
Khun Joe on August 18, 2011 at 8:12 AM
O must be thinking that Canada is one of the 57 states.
Beaglemom on August 18, 2011 at 8:14 AM
All of Obama’s self-inflicted wounds on this bus thing stem from his decision to have the taxpayers pay for the thing, rather than dipping into his precious $1Billion campaign fund.
The government is going to go with the lowest responsive bid, which means Prevost, which means Canada. The Buy America Act is not going to apply to Canada.
Obama knows that he would catch hell if he plastered his campaign logo or any kind of a campaign theme on a bus, so it would up painted plain black.
Since it is a government purchase, the Secret Service gets to call the shots on things like blacked-out windows and security, so it winds up looking like an armored hearse.
Obama could have saved himself all this trouble if he was just able to part with a couple of bucks to rent his own campaign bus. But he would rather spend $2Million of the taxpayer’s money than $50,000 of his own campaign cash for the rental, so we wind up with the Giant Black Suppository.
Haiku Guy on August 18, 2011 at 8:14 AM
drive around in a Canuck bus and profess to others that they should buy American?
really?
I blame the messaging
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:15 AM
The TBOTUS acted stupidly! (Tour Bus of the United States)
csdeven on August 18, 2011 at 8:17 AM
he means, buy Socialist brands–validate his policies. nevermind that the companies that he’s bought produce sh!t because they’re over regulated, bloated, unionized, and failing–except Ford that is.
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:17 AM
Shades of Warren Buffett, who wants other rich people to pay more in tax, but shelters his own money in a charitable foundation because “I think that on balance the Gates Foundation, my daughter’s foundation, my two sons’ foundations will do a better job with lower administrative costs and better selection of beneficiaries than the government.”.
If THEY won’t do what they say, why would anyone else do what they say?
Paul-Cincy on August 18, 2011 at 8:18 AM
Let’s see him tour the 57 states in a Volt, then come back and talk at us again, eh champ?
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:18 AM
We need a 2012 Obamateurism page-a-day calendar, each day having the Obamateurism of the day for 2009, 2010, and 2011…and, of course, a countdown to election day.
How about it?
ElectricPhase on August 18, 2011 at 8:19 AM
If anybody in the Administration had half a brain, they would have adapted Loewy’s Air Force One paint scheme to the bus. But then it would have looked to much like a Greyhound, I guess…
Haiku Guy on August 18, 2011 at 8:20 AM
keep them creatures comfy now, whydontcha…..
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:20 AM
“Say what! Quebec is not the 57th state? Sacré bleu!”-BHO
Yoop on August 18, 2011 at 8:21 AM
why isn’t he touring America on Greyhound and Amtrak? He loves him some public transportation and light rail… what up?
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Sell those buses, Mr. Øbama, and refund the money. It’s our money, not yours.
petefrt on August 18, 2011 at 8:22 AM
OT: ace is reporting a multistage terrorist attack in Israel. No word on what brand of bus is being used.
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:23 AM
You can’t just buy canuck buses and expect to get anything done. You think, at some point, you’ve made a big enough bus.
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:23 AM
BUSted.
NeighborhoodCatLady on August 18, 2011 at 8:23 AM
But… but… but…
Canada IS one of the 57 states!
Isn’t it?
Crusader Rabbit on August 18, 2011 at 8:24 AM
http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2011/08/liveblog-coordinated-terror-attacks.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:24 AM
this!
cmsinaz on August 18, 2011 at 8:24 AM
csdeven on August 18, 2011 at 8:17 AM
LOL!
I wonder if he can find a way to blame Boooosh for this?
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 18, 2011 at 8:25 AM
*crickets chirping* on the lsm….
wow
cmsinaz on August 18, 2011 at 8:25 AM
Wouldn’t the president just consider our Canadian neighbors to be “perfected” Americans?
myrenovations on August 18, 2011 at 8:26 AM
Yoop on August 18, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Except O wouldn’t know what “Sacre Bleu” meant since he doesn’t speak foreign lanugages (even though he told us we ought to). He’d probably think you were speaking Austrian or something.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 18, 2011 at 8:27 AM
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Maybe Biden told him how scary public transportation is…
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 18, 2011 at 8:28 AM
I mentioned this in another thread…
He’s spent a fair amount of time visiting, and pandering to, the RV workers of Elkhart County. But when it came time to spend money, he ignores the RV capital of the world and buys Canadian? I suggest he knows he’s lost Indiana and doesn’t give a rip about what we think anymore, if he ever actually did (serious doubts).
SKYFOX on August 18, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Winner!
And wouldn’t we all like to see the bar at Martha’s Vineyards—stocked with imported wines.
Rovin on August 18, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Um, Ed, Quebec is the 54th state in the union or didn’t you know that?
Kafir on August 18, 2011 at 8:29 AM
He bummed a cigarette from a Frenchman. He heard it there and thought it sounded cool.
Yoop on August 18, 2011 at 8:32 AM
ted c on August 18, 2011 at 8:24 AM
Thank you for the link. Prayers for the Israelis. Sounds like the IDF killed a few terrorists, thank God.
Sha’a'lu Shalom Yerushaliam.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 18, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Hyundai-Kia operate several US production plants. they are employing Americans and they’re doing quite well.
Better misrepresent, demonize and investigate them!
forest on August 18, 2011 at 8:35 AM
When Obama started his touring about the stimulus, didn’t he make it a point to go to Indiana and tour a Winnebago factory, or something, that was hurting because of the economy. Is the White House so tone deaf, they don’t know we make this stuff or is it the fact that Indiana has a Republican Governor?
I have nothing against the Canadians, and I’m sure this is a top of the line product, but common sense tells you to buy from businesses in this country.
Vote Republican and only be called a racist one more time.
bflat879 on August 18, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Only a Canadian bus can keep rolling with two wheels in the ditch.
This little bus tour is the best thing to happen for Conservatism in my lifetime. It’s the beginning of the end for Barry. His credibility is being openly questioned in all corners, he’s not drawing crowds and his ineptitude and demagougery are on display for all to see.
All eyes will be on his high-end vacation. People who are struggling and juggling to keep their heads above water will not be enchanted. He’s going down in a landslide.
Naturally Curly on August 18, 2011 at 8:37 AM
But are they employing union workers?
darwin-t on August 18, 2011 at 8:38 AM
The only thing missing from that bus was the skull and cross bones.
JimK on August 18, 2011 at 8:39 AM
The political class never holds themselves to the same standards they expect from the rest of us. That’s why they are the political class, and we are…the rest.
Rational Thought on August 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Probably not. I guess it bothers Obama so much he’s decided to lie about them and imply that all of their cars are imported. Or he’s just and ignoramus popping off about things he knows nothing about. I’m leaning toward him lying about it.
forest on August 18, 2011 at 8:47 AM
C’mon Ed. Do you really think the nobility should be held to the same standards as us peasants?
rbj on August 18, 2011 at 8:48 AM
It’s not that he’s “lying”, Forest. He’s just writing his own rules as he goes along. When there is no accountability, you can do that. President Winging-it.
SKYFOX on August 18, 2011 at 8:52 AM
Yep. Made in America.
North America.
TimBuk3 on August 18, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Indeed, it’s way too much work for the fine journalists in the MSM to google “KIA plant” and find out if Obama is full of crap or not. It was really hard to research that one.
forest on August 18, 2011 at 9:07 AM
I wonder if there is a case of Molsons in the fridge…just in case there’s an opportunity for a beer summit?
sdd on August 18, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Isn’t this the same guy who told voters in Ohio that we should repeal NAFTA? The Canadians weren’t really thrilled about THAT at the time!
Steve Z on August 18, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Hmmmm:
What? Mr. President you are going to kill more jobs?
katablog.com on August 18, 2011 at 9:45 AM
The very same thing happened to the F-5. Northrup Rockwell built one of the finest fighters (an upgraded version of the greatest supersonic trainer used in Undergraduate Pilot Training).
The F-5 had interchangeable parts so if they needed more the conversion of a T-38 it was almost as easy as plug and play. Also most of Allies pilots trained in the T-38 so there was an instant familiarity with the aircraft, making the transition for pilots easier.
The problem with exporting this wonderful and effective fighter to our Allies, was they were highly susceptible about any deal made with U.S. when we did not have even a squadron of these ourselves.
MSGTAS on August 18, 2011 at 9:48 AM
A bus load of arrogance…
A hand full of much obliged…
golfmann on August 18, 2011 at 9:49 AM
Hyundai makes cars in Alabama, Kia in Georgia, Nissan in Tennessee and Mississippi. Do Y’ALL see a pattern here?
So Obama bailed out GM with taxpayer money and made the UAW a shareholder, while Americans buy “Japanese” and “Korean” cars built in right-to-work states in Dixie. Follow the money!!!
I’m a Connecticut Yankee, but I’ve got to admit–the South gets it!!!
Steve Z on August 18, 2011 at 9:55 AM
This man is so beyond contemptible and disgusting.
When I clean up after my dogs, I am always reminded of Obutthead.
capejasmine on August 18, 2011 at 10:01 AM
I know Mr. President truly is a hypocrite but you give him way too much credit. I don’t think he has any clue whatsoever where that bus came from, what it cost, or anything else about it. The man is too full of himself to be bothered with such details.
scalleywag on August 18, 2011 at 10:03 AM
This is a double Obamateurism. Kias (for example) are made in America. Georgians are grateful for the jobs Kia & Hundai provide. – Jobs Obama did absolutely nothing to “save or create”.
Buy Danish on August 18, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Yep, those darned interwebs!
And that whole rural broadband schtick really annoys me. Bringing broadband to rural areas happens to be what I do for private companies. We’re doing it very quickly because it’s a highly competitive environment. The only thing slowing it down is the government with various levels of regulations – and the Verizon strike isn’t helping.
So why is the federal government going into competitions against us?
forest on August 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Everyone knows the government does and knows better.
katablog.com on August 18, 2011 at 11:10 AM
I just wish the Jug-Eared dope would “buy a clue”.
Tim_CA on August 18, 2011 at 11:14 AM
As with everything THE ONE says, you don’t have to delve too deeply to find the hypocrisy.
GarandFan on August 18, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Quick! Somebody call Eric Holder and the NLRB.
From LaborLou.com, March 31, 2011:
“Half the cars manufactured in the United States are now made nonunion in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee where Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen have – or are building – plants.
The UAW hasn’t successfully organized in the south (exception: now extinct Saturn in Tennessee) but hasn’t stopped trying.”
Read the entire article.
GrannyDee on August 18, 2011 at 11:17 AM
idiot.
Black Adam on August 18, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Cortege is moving on with Idiot in the hearse. The image of those black buses and cars is NEVER going to be forgotten.
In the meanwhile his enablers in the news blame the big market drop on “foreign economies”, when the unemployment numbers came out, abysmal “unexpectedly”. May they all suffocate in his azz.
Schadenfreude on August 18, 2011 at 11:29 AM
A Cuban American called Rush yesterday and said the black and red buses were a symbol of the Castro revolution.
Marxist indeed. I guess Obie wasn’t going for any red, whit and blue stuff. His policies will bleed us out till it all goes black.
AH_C on August 18, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Silly Ed, don’t you know Canada is the 57th state.
Gwillie on August 18, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Forget the bus. I’m just wondering what that three-day trip cost. Did you see the size of that motorcade (paid for by us)?
RebeccaH on August 18, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Luxury buses are built in Canada for the same reason luxurious yachts are built in Italy: Democrat uxury tax imposed in the ’80s had the unintentional consequence of crushing domestic luxury manufacturers.
itsnotaboutme on August 18, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Buy American?
Who gave $Millions to Brazil to help them drill for oil, & then told them we’d be their best customers?
*facepalm*
itsnotaboutme on August 18, 2011 at 1:15 PM
I think Obama should be forced to use a VOLT for all Presidential vehicles.
That would fix two problems…
landlines on August 18, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Oooh! I know. *Raises Hand*
Barack Obama
And it was BILLIONS not millions. $2 Billion. Obama gave it to Petrabus (spelling?), a Soros company (funny that). But don’t tell Maxine Waters or she might “unleash”.
TN Mom on August 18, 2011 at 2:32 PM