Obamateurism of the Day

As Keith Koffler reminds us, American politics have had a long tradition of officeholders not criticizing the President while he’s overseas, albeit a tradition that rarely got followed during the George W. Bush administration. It helps when the President refrains from criticizing other American politicians while overseas, too, but that’s another tradition that is slowly going by the wayside. But can we please get the President from criticizing American children while overseas?

President Obama bad-mouthed the United States during a visit to an Australian high school, telling teenagers that the United States has “fallen behind” in education, according to a White House pool report.

He told young people at Campbell High School the United States has “fallen behind” when it comes to math and science education – explaining why he made it a priority in his administration.

He also said poor American children don’t get “the support they need when they’re very young” and are “already behind” when they enter grammar school.

Perhaps this is true — but why give that speech to teenagers in Australia?  Shouldn’t a President of the US be talking about America’s virtues  when speaking to students in other countries?  You know, say nice things about our country and our kids?  If he wants to argue for more funding and different policies in education, isn’t that an argument to make to American voters instead of high-school students in Australia?

So in Obama’s opinions expressed on this tour, Americans are lazy and ignorant.  They won’t be in November 2012, so it’s small wonder his fundraising stinks back here in the US.  (via Carol Platt Liebau)

Got an Obamateurism of the Day? If you see a foul-up by Barack Obama, e-mail it to me at [email protected] 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!