The video is kind of a cheap shot because (a) Obama obviously knows that Putin’s the Prime Minister and not the President and (b) technically “President Putin” is not an entirely incorrect honorific. On the other hand the Russian press is having a good time implying that our President is a moron, which officially elevates it to the level of a gaffe.
I was told we were past this:
U.S. President Barack Obama inadvertently misspoke Vladimir Putin’s title during his first meeting with the prime minister Tuesday, a second slip of the tongue in as many days that indicates he remains uncomfortable with who is who in the ruling tandem of Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev… Obama described Putin as president before correcting himself. “I suspect when I speak to President … er … Prime Minister Putin tomorrow, he will say the same thing,” Obama said when talking about Russia’s objections to a planned U.S. missile shield in Europe.
Later Tuesday, Obama bungled Putin’s title again, referring to him as “President Putin” in an interview with NBC television. He sought to downplay the mistakes. “I don’t think it’s Freudian,” Obama said. “He used to be president.”
If Bush had done it – can you imagine?
Smart power!
References:
* Obama Bungles Putin’s Title (Again) at Breakfast [St. Petersburg Times]
Previously:
* Obama Continues Pattern Of Sophisticated Phone Calls With Post-Inauguration First Call To Holocaust Denier, Erstwhile Terrorist
* Obama Worshiping Yahoo Blogger: "It’s Heartening" When Presidents Stumble Over Words
* Video: CNN’s Aww Shucks "Top 10 Obama Faux Pas" Roundup Misses A Few Things
