The Washington Post's Anne Kornblut (saved here in case her report is modified or disappears) captured a comment Obama made to U.S troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea while heading back to Washington after his Asian trip.
I believe that the comment (bolded) could be seen as shining a less than flattering light on the president's mindset:
Obama arrived on the base 3:19 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time), and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cell phones to snap pictures.
"You guys make a pretty good photo op," the president said.
Does anyone think that a similar comment by Bush 43 would have escaped establishment media criticism? Let's see if this Obamism slides by without criticism.
Earlier in the report, Kornblut noted that Obama's Afghan dither continues:
President Barack Obama will not announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan before the Thanksgiving holiday, senior aides said on Thursday.
..... Obama and his top military and diplomatic aides have been deliberating for months over how to proceed in Afghanistan, where the United States and its partners have sought for eight years to defeat the Taliban and deny al-Qaeda a safe haven from which it can plan and launch attacks.
Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has stated that without the deployment of up to 40,000 additional of troops within the next year, the mission "will likely result in failure." But some aides are arguing for a much smaller troop increase, and the U.S. ambassador in Kabul, Karl W. Eikenberry, has questioned whether the Afghan government can be a reliable partner.
Obama said in interviews Wednesday that he would reveal his decision within the next several weeks. On Thursday, aides clarified that there would be no announcement before Thanksgiving, one week away. Senior administration officials said Obama intends to meet with his national security team again before going public with his plans.
My cynical and admittedly speculative take on the "photo-op" comment is that Obama's far more cynical "senior aides" actually discussed the president's visit to our soldiers as a photo-op. The president (to their probable horror) picked up on it, thinking that using the term would be cute. If so, the slip, if you will, is quite revealing.
Possible comment fodder: As to Afghanistan, hasn't it been almost 100 days, if not longer, since General McChrystal made his request? And if I recall correctly, it was for 40,000 troops, not "up to" 40,000 as stated by Ms. Kornblut, which would give readers the impression that significantly fewer boots on the ground might be okay. I don't think so.
Photo above is the right portion of an AP original found here.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Obama Has...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:07 ET by GeneralAlObama has more important things on his mind then the troops in Afghanistan such as:
1]His next golf game
2]His next basketball game
3]His next trip to New York for dinner with Michelle
4]His next family outing to Martha's Vineyard
5]His next fundraiser
6]His next Czar
7]The White sox
8]The Bulls
9]The Bears
10]Mayor Daley
To the Narcissist in Chief,
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:10 ET by Ten7sTo the Narcissist in Chief, the universe is but a prop...
Yes He Can!
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:13 ET by srqvetDear Obamo, as CinC you can abuse the troops and use them as photo ops. However, this does not mean you should abuse the troops.
At least the Prez SOB used
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 15:36 ET by kangarooAt least the Prez SOB used live troops this time!!
Demoncrat troops cause the conservative troops would of booed and shown him the finger. (well they wouldn't of, but they were thinking it) just sayin
I'd like to see...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:14 ET by onewiseguy...what exactly his welcome was when he arrived at teh base. Somehow, I don't think he received a "rousing" welcome as the author stated:
"...and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms..."
I suspect his welcome was fairly muted and the required clapping from the troops.
When he stopped for fuel in Alaska before bowing to
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 16:52 ET by Army Bratthe Emperor of Japan, he visited the troops at Elmendorf. Barely 2,000 Armed Services Personnel greeted him. (Over 4,000 turned out to see Bush on his second visit here.)
Our local lefty news orgs. touted the "thousands" that came out to greet him. A hundred less and they would have had to say "nearly 2 thousand" instead of thousands. I mean..yeah...2 thousand is "thousands"...two of em'.
Of those that turned out to see Obama...many were "voluntold" to go, or the turnout would have been....more realistic.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Re Elmendorf
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 18:28 ET by slickwillie2001At Elmendorf, when soldiers turned out to meet him, did the crowd with cameras suspiciously all have the same model of camera, as happened in an earlier Bamster visit with the military?
Obama's outrages continue
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:16 ET by BlondeAnd the press continue to ignore them.
After BowGate II, I read an article (American Thinker?) that had a great word for these galactically stupid gaffes, Tom.
Obamateurisms.
As we continue to see on a daily basis, everything about being POTUS is above his pay grade....State protocol, foreign policy (too hard to make a decision), war vs. law enforcement, mourner in chief role, off-the-cuff comments (remember Special Olymics)....and the list goes on.
I hope he fails, too.
I'm starting to like the sound, if you will ....
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:49 ET by Tom Blumer.... of O-basm.
Or perhaps that term should be reserved for the crowds and the press who fawned over him during campaign 2008, and the hard-core partisans on the left who are still enthusiastic about him.
Well, Tom
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 13:06 ET by BlondeO-basm...yes, I agree that should be reserved for the crowds of fools.
At the rate this guy is going, we'll be able to have a whole lexicon for The Vain Obama.
f-O pas is my next entry.
I'm really going to have to start a Forum topic on this, I'm tired of typing out even a partial list of the outrages.
I hope he fails, too.
Would love the see the list...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 13:25 ET by onewiseguyI think you're on to something here. This could go well beyond an occasional new word....like "Borking" and "Nifonged"...we could have a fairly extensive lexicon.
The community-organizer salute is always a big hit
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:18 ET by SickofLibsWhy does that photo remind me of little John-John at his father's funeral?
Oh yeah, there're both children doing what the grownups told them to do.
What a disgusting son of a
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:25 ET by mattmWhat a disgusting son of a b----! He degrades the U.S. Military by his mere occupancy of the Whitehouse.
It's bad enough that he is commander-in-chief, but to make that comment is lower than low.
I would support a coup.
No surprise...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:37 ET by shooterOf course, there will be no negative coverage of his comment.
We know the State-Run Media is in the tank for Commandante Zero.
We know that in their eyes, he can say and do no wrong.
We know there is a double-standard of behavior on the part of their coverage of a Republican/Conservative President over one who sends thrills up their legs.
The question is...what do we frikkin' DO about it???
_________________________________________
"An armed society is a polite society" -- Robert A. Heinlein
shooter---
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 14:47 ET by matthewdeanI have been reading, watching, listening, looking, observing, noting (yelling, screaming, gnashing my teeth, throwing stuff at the tv), and it appears to me, that since we are suffering under an administration, a Congress, and politicos in general, who are adamantly opposed to hearing any common sense thoughts from the masses, and have made up their minds to cram their rules, regs, and laws, either down our throats, or into our bodies from a more southerly direction, that, as citizens, our only recourse may well be that suggested by the last line of mattms' post directly prior to yours.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Lucky soldier
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:38 ET by sevenThey are lucky to be on the same picture as the winner of the Nobull
Peace prize.!!!!
You misspelled "Knowbull".
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:08 ET by Ten7sYou misspelled "Knowbull".
Our dear reader
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:44 ET by 10ksnookerThinks troops are photo ops. Now what if Bush had said, we need to get a few more blacks on stage ...
Sort of Like the last "Photo Op"
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:52 ET by JustAl"You guys make a pretty good photo op," . . . even in coffins.
When accused of hating this POS I used to go out of my way to say, "no, I only hate his politics."
JA... YOU said it
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 14:52 ET by bigtimerJA...
YOU said it all!
The audacity of this empty leftist suit is beyond belief at times...past infuriating, he disgusts me...and he still keeps the military waiting for his decisions...the majority of the military serving and fighting must despise what he has done.
I know I do.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Similarities between Bush and Obama...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02 ET by c5thenBush had the sign "Mission Accomplished" hung a bit pre-maturely as it turned out...
Obama will have the sign "Mission Abrogated" hung after months of dithering and arm-chair quaterbacking?
Throw 'da bums out!!!
Before it's too late.
www.loyaltoliberty.com
Well, At Least
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:06 ET by JustAl. . . he has sent reinforcements to Afghanistan, too bad they were all released from Gitmo.
released from Gitmo
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 15:11 ET by SouthJersey1953LOL - Good one!! (unfortunately)
You can fix a lot of things, but, you can't fix STUPID! - Joe Murray
Bush used a plastic turkey in Iraq for a Thanksgiving photo-op
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:04 ET by OxyConThis Thanksgiving the plastic turkey is Obama.
→ Plastic Turkey
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:09 ET by Cool ArrowChris and Keith will be fighting over the pulley bone.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
I would post exactly what I am thinking right now...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:10 ET by R D Helm...but I don't want to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas in the slammer.
-Dave
Our elected representatives have failed us.
Careful...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 13:30 ET by onewiseguy...you might get a visit from the CIA and local law enforcement like the Reverend Manning did:
http://www.nmatv.com/video/3900/Secret-Service-Goes-To-Rev-James-Manning
Apparently, implying or even thinking bad things aginst his O'ness may now be an offense. I guess it's a good thing they can't read minds yet...
owg... I saw that as well
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 14:53 ET by bigtimerowg...
I saw that as well on Brietbart's site.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Obama is skilled at choosing words that bring out CHEERS
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:14 ET by ekslibfrom the crowds that listen to him.
Obama creates "FEEL GOOD" moments.
He leads the tv audience to think that everyone in attendance at the event loves him, too.
From the article,
"He got a huge cheer when he told them he was increasing military pay"
On the other hand, when he talks to Leftist crowds, he'll make them cheer by talking about cutbacks in military spending.
GOOD OPP
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:32 ET by nadadhimmiLet us be generous here. Obama was probably only speaking of the "typical white people" as being a "pretty good photo opp". Only a RACIST could think otherwise. (sarc off)
Unbelievable!
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:43 ET by RpeggioThe guy's hubris knows no bounds.....
And you're right, can you imagine how the media would have pounced on that type of stupid selfish statement if it was Bush who said it!!?!?!?
sorry piece of crap!
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 14:21 ET by jon_torlinI spoke to my friend in the Air Force and he said if he had been there with Soetoro had said that, he wouldn't have cared if he would get court martialed, that comment is so offensive that he would have told the LOTUS to F*** off. My friend's of strong character, he doesn't like the annointed one at all and doesn't really consider him a president.
-Jon
Right out of Obama's own mouth...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 15:10 ET by PrairieSkycomes the truth...
"You guys make a pretty good photo op," the president said.
Many (if not most) of us on the right have suspected from the beginning that Obama sees the military as something that he is forced to deal with, has little if any respect for, and uses as a photo op. This "Freudian slip" type comment just validates that suspicion.
The recent photo op of Obama at Dover AFB saluting the bodies of soldiers being brought home from Afghanistan made me sick. Seeing him standing there, saluting and trying to look presidential was just too much for me to stomach...Most of the photos released from that focused almost entirely on Obama...He was the center of nearly every photo, not the flag-draped coffins of our courageous soldiers, who should have been the focus of every photo...This occasion was not about Obama, but as is usually the case, the Narcissist-in-Chief made it all about him.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Words usually matter,
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 14:34 ET by bigtimerWords usually matter, unless you have a 'D' after your name.
...then they just fly out the window...'poof'...gone like magic....just like millions thought Walks on Water was.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Obama finally appreciates the Military...cause...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 14:59 ET by Army Brat"You guys make a pretty good photo op,"
Other than that...
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
bt...Update...
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 15:31 ET by PrairieSkyFYI, that Tea Party that I mentioned that we were going to was a huge hit! I actually was unable to go because I'm sick and stuck at home, but my husband went and he said it was standing room only. The media was there, and every seat was filled, along with people standing all around the room. My husband said it was really great...a lot of great comments and questions. A number of state elected officials were there, as was Ed Schafer, a previous 2 term North Dakota Repub governor and the Secretary of Agriculture when President Bush (43) left office. People really were juiced, and based on the turnout, there is talk of having another one in the future.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
1,500 out of how many?
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 15:13 ET by SouthJersey1953"and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms"...out of the 15,000 that were present.
You can fix a lot of things, but, you can't fix STUPID! - Joe Murray
I
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 15:29 ET by jacktheripperwould like to see this little p...k give his crotch salute in front of those guys, now THAT I would pay to see
Proud HillBilly from NNY
received a rousing welcome
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 16:37 ET by Dan The Man 2received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cell phones to snap pictures
I imagine the many referred to was like this “One … uhh two …. Uhh many …. Huh huh huh”. And the troops were most likely there as a mandatory gathering or a parade before a visiting dignitary thing. Im sure there were “many” true believers.
kodachromobama
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 22:01 ET by fewfir.....George Bush visits the wounded and grieving at Ft Hood and still acts presidential...barry yuks it up at a photo-op and still acts like a guy heavily involved in organizing his acorns.