Obamateurism of the Day

posted at 8:01 am on June 20, 2012 by Ed Morrissey

Remember how George W. Bush’s cowboy demeanor was such an embarrassment to the American cognoscenti and media minders? How his rough manners and folksy drawl had the sophisticates on this side of the pond flushed with embarrassment?  Remember how glad they were that a witty, urbane, and cultured member of Academia would replace him as America’s principal representative abroad?

Er …

World leaders gathered in Los Cabos, Mexico for the seventh annual Group of 20 summit on Monday. As part of the festivities, all of the assembled heads of state posed for a cheerful family photo–except for one. According to the White House pool report from the photo shoot filed by the Wall Street Journal’s Carol Lee, photographers asked the leaders to wave for the cameras and Russia’s once and future strongman Vladimir Putin declined to pose for the picture.

“They all said to wave to the cameras, and most of them did. President Putin didn’t wave,” Ms. Lee wrote.

There were several other priceless details in Ms. Lee’s dispatch from the high powered photo shoot. Apparently, despite being surrounded by twenty other world leaders, President Barack Obama “was chewing gum the whole time.”

Instapundit’s post got this response:  “I assume he was sitting and not walking.”  “As for Obama,”Andrew Malcolm quipped, “he was into his cool casual mode at the formal photo session.” But no one answered the real burning question (NSFW):

Did he bring enough for everyone?

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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classy

we’re so proud

cmsinaz on June 20, 2012 at 8:03 AM

Remember how glad they were that a witty, urbane, and cultured member of Academia would replace him as America’s principal representative abroad?

and who also knew his way to the library….don’t forget that one.

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:04 AM

Stressful times for the boy king. Makes me think he’s been sneaking smokes and had to do something to get his nicotine fix in. Maybe Neil Munro can be the one to ask him when he had his last cigarette…? Nobody else on the rope line seems to dare.

CitizenEgg on June 20, 2012 at 8:04 AM

It was nicotine gum. He chews that because he can’t smoke in public.

swinia sutki on June 20, 2012 at 8:04 AM

Wrigley’s doublemint??

works for “Cubs fans too!”

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:05 AM

Double your pleasure,
Double your fun,
With Doublemint,
Govermint Gum.

NeighborhoodCatLady on June 20, 2012 at 8:05 AM

Big Red?

Big League Chew (for mom jean wearin’ pitchers)

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:06 AM

He’s just too cool for the World. /s

angrycodgr on June 20, 2012 at 8:07 AM

chewing gum … rather than falling off the wagon and smoking?

OK, but couldn’t he be more subtle?

ProfessorMiao on June 20, 2012 at 8:07 AM

gum.

reduces the thumbsucking urge….

/oral

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

Its how he relates to the “common people”. Madcow will give a full explanation tonight, telling us that he did this deliberately to shed his high and mighty image that causes us to misunderstand him.

Class(less).

VietVet_Dave on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

I heard he was bowing again too.

vcferlita on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

anyone hear of “the patch”?

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

I swear I’m having a moment of déjà vu here. Hasn’t he done this before? Also in the presence of world leaders?

Jinxed on June 20, 2012 at 8:09 AM

Bush was a cowboy, and Obama’s the calculated assassin with a hit list. Chew on that one, liberals.

Rovin on June 20, 2012 at 8:09 AM

Wow. Completely classless.

dogsoldier on June 20, 2012 at 8:09 AM

Slightly O/T, but OotD is always kind of an open thread anyway. I just watched the full clip of the Romney ‘WaWa’ video to see what all of the hoopla was about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zTrmwDmOjy4#!

I gotta say, after watching Romney’s full remarks, the thing that struck me most is how much Mitt has improved his ability to connect with the audience at these smaller, public events. It seems like he’s finally figured out how to be himself (a business executive), and he’s realized that people are totally fine with that, so long as he just opens up to them… I don’t know how to put it, other than that he finally seems at ease speaking to small groups of regular folks.

The man has come a long, long way, and it’s encouraging to see that he does genuinely connect with the crowd while making simple, salient points about the private vs. public sector. I still don’t like Romney’s spinelessness on big policy issues, but I’m impressed by his ability to learn and continuously get better as a candidate.

Lawdawg86 on June 20, 2012 at 8:10 AM

President Obama is also now one Heat win away from comparing himself to LeBron again.

radjah shelduck on June 20, 2012 at 8:10 AM

Remember how George W. Bush’s cowboy demeanor was such an embarrassment to the American cognoscenti and media minders?

Fondly.

At least 0bama didn’t put his hand in front of somebody during the group photo, this time.

cozmo on June 20, 2012 at 8:10 AM

anyone hear of “the patch”?

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

How about a little self discipline?

dogsoldier on June 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Remember when we on HotAir used to ridicule him because he was waving and no one else did. He would get his hand up in front of someones face. Good times.

Well, he didn’t fall for the old, “everybody wave” trick this time!

Smartest man in his own mind.

DuctTapeMyBrain on June 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Facepalm. Yup. He’s done it before.

Obama and his Gum, take 1.

Jinxed on June 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Remember how glad they were that a witty, urbane, and cultured member of Academia would replace him as America’s principal representative abroad?

Don’t forget the most important point – black. Witty, urbane, cultured… and he’s black!!

As for our benevolent god-king chewing gum? To quote Rudy on Fat Albert – “like school on Sunday. No class.”

crazy_legs on June 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Facepalm. Yup. He’s done it before.

Obama and his Gum, take 1.

Jinxed on June 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Let’s not forget this classy display by the imbecilic putz.

Obama chews gum at Joplin memorial service

Flora Duh on June 20, 2012 at 8:16 AM

Big deal. If the gum is keeping him off the smokes (I know, a big “if”) then have at it. This is pretty nothingburger for an OOTD.

tommyboy on June 20, 2012 at 8:16 AM

and who also knew his way to the library…don’t forget that one.

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:04 AM

..Ted, you have unwittingly brought up one of the warts we’ll have to deal with après Pantload: The Baracky Obowma pResidential Libary.

Opens up all kinds of straight lines about location (next to the projects near Comisky Prk), contents, memos, notes (golf score cards), etc.

Wonder if there’ll be chewing gum stuck under all of the tables and chairs?

..the mid reels.

The War Planner on June 20, 2012 at 8:20 AM

anyone hear of “the patch”?

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

Oh great… next time he’ll be chewing that instead.
:-)

VietVet_Dave on June 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

I wonder if Ed will keep this feature after One-bama is reelected? Anyone who thinks One-bama is going to be a pushover shouldn’t be playing with their mommy and daddy’s computer.

NickDeringer on June 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

Big deal. If the gum is keeping him off the smokes (I know, a big “if”) then have at it. This is pretty nothingburger for an OOTD.

tommyboy on June 20, 2012 at 8:16 AM

You’re really okay with our leader among other world leaders looking like a cow chewing her cud? Just one more example of how little respect Obama has for the office he holds. GWB and his staff wore suit coats in the Oval Office. Obama props his feet up on the antiques and reads the sports page. GWB did not bow to marginal allies, despots, and other (mostly Muslim) dictators with whom he wanted to ingratiate himself. Not the nation, Obama himself. GWB had a classy spouse who reflected well on this nation while Mooch is an angry uncooth boor.

Give me the cowboy anyday over these self-styled hipsters.

Happy Nomad on June 20, 2012 at 8:24 AM

I wonder if Ed will keep this feature after One-bama is reelected? Anyone who thinks One-bama is going to be a pushover shouldn’t be playing with their mommy and daddy’s computer.

NickDeringer on June 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

You really think HA will still be allowed to exist if Obama gets a second term?

Happy Nomad on June 20, 2012 at 8:25 AM

I wonder if Ed will keep this feature after One-bama is reelected? Anyone who thinks One-bama is going to be a pushover shouldn’t be playing with their mommy and daddy’s computer.

NickDeringer on June 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

I’m hopeful he’ll keep it regardless of whomever is elected. Suitably renamed, of course.

Jinxed on June 20, 2012 at 8:26 AM

I wonder if Ed will keep this feature after One-bama is reelected? Anyone who thinks One-bama is going to be a pushover shouldn’t be playing with their mommy and daddy’s computer.

NickDeringer on June 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

No one will be left here to comment… except libtardforever.

Seppuku-geddon.

VietVet_Dave on June 20, 2012 at 8:27 AM

..Ted, you have unwittingly brought up one of the warts we’ll have to deal with après Pantload: The Baracky Obowma pResidential Libary.

Opens up all kinds of straight lines about location (next to the projects near Comisky Prk), contents, memos, notes (golf score cards), etc.

The War Planner on June 20, 2012 at 8:20 AM

As an Illinoisan, I offer up Hawaii as a better location for the box of golf scorecards. Just don’t let anyone see them without a court order. ;)

Fallon on June 20, 2012 at 8:30 AM

“They all said to wave to the cameras, and most of them did. President Putin didn’t wave,” Ms. Lee wrote.

I’ve looked for this pic, couldn’t find it. Would be hilarious.

visions on June 20, 2012 at 8:34 AM

I wouldn’t be surprised if he had given the one finger salute to the world while chewing gum.

docflash on June 20, 2012 at 8:35 AM

Before I opened the OOTD link I saw Ed’s “I hope he brought enough for everyone” quote below the picture, I thought “Oh no, Obama could not be chewing gum again at a formal event!” Unfortunately the man-child never learns! Does he stick it on the bottom of his plate at formal dinners?

tims472 on June 20, 2012 at 8:37 AM

Wouldn’t the nicotine patches have been more subtle?

steebo77 on June 20, 2012 at 8:38 AM

They got everyone to wave because they figured Obama was going to do it anyway for the formal picture so they figured they could help him get it out of his system.

tims472 on June 20, 2012 at 8:39 AM

Remember how glad they were that a witty, urbane, and cultured member of Academia would replace him as America’s principal representative abroad?

…did the “Guest Lecturer”…chew in class too?

KOOLAID2 on June 20, 2012 at 8:44 AM

So little time, so many Blazing Saddles references… Harumph… We must protect our phony baloney jobs, Gentlemen…; We don’t need no steenking photo shoot…; Is it true how they say he is “gifted?” OMG, I’m such a racist!

College Prof on June 20, 2012 at 8:45 AM

You’re really okay with our leader among other world leaders looking like a cow chewing her cud?

Could not. care. less. I’m more concerned with the policy they are pursuing and the success of their efforts in that regard. I’ll leave how they look at the photo-ops for the People magazine crowd.

tommyboy on June 20, 2012 at 8:48 AM

How about a little self discipline?

dogsoldier on June 20, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Liberals and self-discipline? Libbie mantra: Self-discipline is for thee, not for me.

That’s one reason that Libbies/Proggies are for things like, oh, “gun control” -> They can’t trust themselves, given their emotional and hubric nature.

And since they know they can’t control themselves, they think no one else can either, since they are self-deluded into thinking they are better than anyone else.

So it makes sense, to a Libbie/Proggie, that since they can’t trust their emotional self to handle gun properly, all guns need to be confiscated “for the greater good.”

Gum control? Same thing.

ProfShadow on June 20, 2012 at 8:52 AM

We can only hope the chewing gum reduced his talking, and thus prevented us all from becoming more stupid as a result of listening to him.

WhatNot on June 20, 2012 at 8:52 AM

Surprised the White House didn’t say he was chewing Nicorette gum, because he is trying to quit the evils of smoking or something along those lines.

But give B.O. credit this time for not waving his hand in front of anyone else’s face.

pilamaye on June 20, 2012 at 8:58 AM

Blazing Saddles. Now THAT is a great movie.

Dingbat63 on June 20, 2012 at 9:01 AM

Remember how glad they were that a witty, urbane, and cultured member of Academia
mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy would replace him as America’s principal representative abroad?

I mean, that’s a storybook, man!

pain train on June 20, 2012 at 9:07 AM

If its the nicotene gum, like everything else, he’s doing it wrong. You only chew a few times until you feel a burning in your mouth, then you park it between your cheek and gum until you need your next ‘fix’ maybe 45 mins or hour later.

Schwalbe Me-262 on June 20, 2012 at 9:12 AM

anyone hear of “the patch”?

ted c on June 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

Oh great… next time he’ll be chewing that instead.
:-)

VietVet_Dave on June 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

Maybe he should go with the Lucky Butts Suppository.

Oldnuke on June 20, 2012 at 9:22 AM

Probably smacking, too. That’s a pet peeve of mine.

TXMomof3 on June 20, 2012 at 9:38 AM

This amateur has no class or sense of proper decorum. He is such a national embarrassment. He also has no sense of shame. Many photo ops commonly show him with a smug expression on his face and appearing so full of himself. I was born in Europe and I have no idea what so many Europeans see in him either. Please help me make him go away in November.

Rudemeister on June 20, 2012 at 9:49 AM

Maybe he should go with the Lucky Butts Suppository.

Oldnuke on June 20, 2012 at 9:22 AM

No room up there with all the press, unions, special interests, and his majesty’s huge head with jug-ears attached.

Laura in Maryland on June 20, 2012 at 9:52 AM

Maybe it’s his own brand: CHEWM GUM.

Logic on June 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM

According to the White House pool report from the photo shoot filed by the Wall Street Journal’s Carol Lee, photographers asked the leaders to wave for the cameras and Russia’s once and future strongman Vladimir Putin declined to pose for the picture.

Obummer: Hey Vlad, dontcha remember? You gotta be Flexible!

Apparently, despite being surrounded by twenty other world leaders, President Barack Obama “was chewing gum the whole time.”

“Excuse me, Presidents and Prime Ministers, while I finish my waffle Nicorex. Anybody got a Kleenex?”

Steve Z on June 20, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Barky was nervous, because he knew he was way out of his league.

It was either smack that gum, or curl into the fetal position.

TheClearRiver on June 20, 2012 at 11:05 AM

A petulant, man-child president.

Wonderful.

Tim_CA on June 20, 2012 at 11:16 AM

“I’ve come here to chew gum and kick ass… and I can’t kick ass.”

corncat on June 20, 2012 at 11:53 AM

You really think HA will still be allowed to exist if Obama gets a second term?
Happy Nomad on June 20, 2012 at 8:25 AM

I think that by the end of a –may God forbid–second Obama term, civil liberties as we have known them will cease to exist…for our own good, of course. The shell may be there, but the substance will be gone.

Kevin K. on June 20, 2012 at 11:57 AM

hey don’t knock it. H can chew gum and attend a G2 summit at the same time!

cheetah2 on June 20, 2012 at 12:02 PM

“He” I meant to say.

cheetah2 on June 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM

“I’ve come here to chew gum and kick ass… and I can’t kick ass.”

corncat on June 20, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Heh.

Tim_CA on June 20, 2012 at 12:15 PM

“I’ve come here to chew gum and kick ass… and I can’t kick ass.”

corncat on June 20, 2012 at 11:53 AM

I am so reminded of this….

http://hardincountyconservatives.blogspot.com/2012/04/george-w-bush-biking-in-tx-obama-wants.html

Renee on June 20, 2012 at 12:54 PM

What’s this, chewing gum on line?

Obama – “But I didn’t know there would be so many!”

CatchAll on June 20, 2012 at 2:11 PM

He must have been sitting down. He certainly can’t chew gum and walk at the same time.

Schadenfreude on June 20, 2012 at 2:43 PM

Onviously he can’t walk, talk tough with Putin and chew gum at the same time.

Art on June 20, 2012 at 4:06 PM

Can’t give up his Nicorette – Michelle says he quit.

2nd Ammendment Mother on June 20, 2012 at 7:37 PM