Barack Obama, Blogger Material?
The incomparable John Cole over at Balloon Juice documents some of the evidence that Obama is something of a geek (props to LG and Duffy). This is funny:
“That’s an interesting belt buckle,” he said to Michelle, mischievously. She feigned offense and said, “I am interesting, next to you. Surprise, surprise, a blue suit, a white shirt and a tie.” Obama grinned and bent down until he was almost at eye level with her waist. He jabbed a playful finger toward her belt buckle, and let loose his inner nerd. “The lithium crystals! Beam me up, Scotty!” Obama squeaked, laughing at his own lame joke as Michelle rolled her eyes.
(I think “the lithium crystals” is a translation error by the writer. Argue amongst yourselves.)
Cole provides other evidence, including a quick use of the f-bomb (not in public tho), and the Beastie Boys to point to the geekiness. And all of those ridiculed pauses are going to be heard alot differently, now that you know that he is asking himself this question: ‘You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.’
I’ll also add that Lenard Nimoy was on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me a few weeks ago and he told a story about seeing Obama somewhere in passing and Obama gave him the Vulcan handsign. (it is on the Not My Job segment and you can hear it within the first three minutes or so of the audio.)
It’s not important to anything at all, but there’s something really cool about a President who has the same cultural references you do.
Tags: Barack Obama
It will also be cool to have a President that is smarter than me.
It would be cool if the president appointed a chief blogger. I’ve always thought Obama’s pauses were because he was listening to the questions and trying to answer them instead of giving soundbite material all the time. I think he probably has an inner filter telling him whether he should say what he’s thinking or not (Joe Biden – not so much).
I am reading that Newsweek article in which that quote appears (it is loooonnnnnggg) right now.
Either the author got it wrong or Barack did, for all Trekkers know….it is DILithium crystals. Still, kinda cool.
Read that Newsweek article. It is a must read, full of interesting vignettes about the men Obama and McCain, rather than the politicians.
For instance, at one point during debate prep, one of the lights in the room starting flickering, creating a “strobe-light disco affect,” so there was Obama behind the podium, and he starting singing “Disco Inferno” complete with John Travolta’s dancing moves.
The fact that Barack referred in any way to Star Trek is making me regret my vote for him…
LOL. Is that because you are a Star Wars junkie?
Blech…hate that one, too!! I’m all about The X-Files!
The X-Files! Isn’t that a banning offense?
That would be The XXX Files, Cassandra!
Nah. Remember, Dondelawareshottestmostunderratedcoolesthusseinsquishyviti is a contributor here.
DD – it’s Trekkies!
Trekkers is old-school geek.
I thought it was the opposite. Trekkers are Trekkies that are embarrassed by the convention show freakshow Trekkies.
I love the X-Files and Star Trek! Does that make me confused. I think we all know that Obama is kinda geeky – have you seen the footage of him dancing with Ellen?