Obama Bemoans Golf Swing To Russian Reporter

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he doesn't like his golf swing and the ball never goes where he wants.

Obama told Russian state-run Rossiya TV and ITAR-TASS news agency that he's been working on his golf game lately. However, he disclosed in the interview that he hasn't had much success.

The president, who has been playing golf most weekends with aides, says he thinks he should be good at the game. Yet his shots never seem to go straight.

Obama played a quick nine holes on Saturday before a Fourth of July picnic at the White House.

The White House released a transcript of his interview on Sunday hours before Obama heads to Russia for his first trip as president.

Comments

[MJPD345]

President Obama ,, Too much left hand grip...Ease up..

[Daniel Torluemke]

It is laughable how the righties try to fault any possible thing with Obama.

[Daniel Torluemke]

In 8 years the media never asked Bush a tough question.

[kasinca]

The Bush Crime Family furnished the questions beforehand.

[sviolette]

You mean they never asked about Bush's golf swing? It was just like everything else Bush. It sucked.

[Daniel Torluemke]

The wing nuts don't like it that President Obama plays golf on the weekends like millions of other American's.

[dillydawg]

They don't like the fact of his very existance.

[kasinca]

When the rethugs are coming unglued over the president, we feel proud that we elected someone they disagree with because their choices in the past thirty years have been terrible for the nation. If they say up, we should go down and vice versa.

[LeeCalif]

Why would President Obama allow those to rture photograph evidence to be destroyed ?

[sviolette]

So far none have been destroyed except the CIA tapes when Bush was in office. He has only asked photos to not be released. Not destroyed.

[Jesusland]

Another example of the Enchanted Media's hard-hitting journalism.

[sviolette]

Russian reporter is now enchanted media? Give it a break. Jesus land is that Mexico? I know many Mexicans named Jesus.

[Ranta]

Maybe his bowling coach could give him a few tips.

[ChinaC]

Obama lacks depth. It's not that he's flippant he just shallow. Perhaps that's why the media never asks him hard questions because even they know Obama is shallow therefore lacks depth.

[vaughan]

This comment reflects a lack of depth! Have you read Obama's books?

[kasinca]

Me thinks Obama couldn't impress you no matter what he does. You sound like you are predjudiced. That is a form of insanity.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information,
which is proof against all arguments
and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance.
That principle is contempt prior to investigation."


Herbert Spencer (1820 - 1903)

[jefered]

Four words for ya:

"Now watch this drive."

[teron678]

LOL ....

That was funny when Dubya said it ......

[craphappens]

China is very confused. It will be alright, you'll just need best rest, and plenty of liquids, and some more of those nice white pills.

[booboo111]

Obama lacks depth? What are you out of your mind? Bush never even understood the concept of critical thinking or intellectual curiousity, His I.Q.was off the charts on the low side. And you would demean Obama's depth? You've obviously been drinking to much "tea" at the parties.

[termgirl]

When Republicans get their panties in a wad over dijon mustard, golf, and other trivialities, then no one listens when they voice legitimate criticisms over policy. Learn to pick your battles, denounce the crazies in your party, and then maybe, just maybe, you will regain some credibility. If anyone deserves nine holes of golf, it's Barack Obama. Having to clean up George Bush's mess would turn me into a three pack a dayer.

[uberliberal]

I think they "get their panties in a wad" about the double-standard, not mustard.

[booboo111]

To clean up George Bush's mess, you'd first have to be able to bring about 4500 young American boys back to life. That "may" be beyond Obama's capabilities, but he can handle the rest in time.

[Z2a]

And how about the hundred thousand or more civilians who lost their lives in Iraq. Or the troops who lost limbs. Irrepressible, irresponsible.

[WonderingAloud]

My wife spent some time over in Russia and was shocked when she heard Obama said this to the Russian media. The interviewer asked Obama what he doesn't like about himself and Obama answered that he didn't like his golf swing. Russians don't like Americans for many reasons, and an answer like this would come across as aloof and almost arrogant to a Russian. A more serious answer like "I don't like the struggle it has been to quit smoking" would have come across much better.

Is this going to be a make or break issue in relations between the US and Russia? Probably not. However, things like this only reinforce the negative image of the US most Russians have.

[fcsakes]

WGAFF.

[jbrantow]

Too bad you and your wife didn't stay there.

[AtheistUS]

Usual 'patriotic' offense? If one does not adore something about US one should stay abroad?

But WonderingAloud has good reasons for his comment. Small talk and superficial answers are perfectly normal here in US, but often perceived as too shallow in Europe.

On the other hand, apparently Obama made it clear that he at the moment was not serious in his answers, so hopefully it will go along OK.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/07/asked-what-he-doesnt-like-about-himself-president-obama-cites-his-golf-game.html

[kasinca]

Get a life, tr0//ie.

[Privatepractice]

If it takes this from the President of the USA for your wife to be shocked where was she for the past 8 years with Bush and all his daily missteps? LOL!

[CyberJoe]

Here, here!

[MaximMaximus]

Did you come up with that all by yourself you little intellectual midget. Instead of worrying about what the Russians think about President Obama and Americans in general, you might want to wonder what the Russians think about your wife and why. I am inclined to think they love her! Pinhead!

[lovethesinner]

Remember when Bush said one of the sacrifices he made for the troops in Iraq was to quit playing golf... only, he hadn't really, and Keith Olbermann showed a clip of him playing a few days after Bush claimed he had quit?

btw: I think these comments say something to Medvedev. "I'm willing to be candid, and I'm thinking about the future." Not much has been accomplished by either superpower in the these decades since the end of the cold war. Now that we're getting ready to head off on another walk through the woods, both sides could benefit from a lot more honesty and pragmatism. And a lot less "looking into each other's soul."

(as if Bush ever saw anything past his own nose)

[Sportsbabe]

You people can't be serious. Do you think every time the President opens his mouth he's going to reveal some earth shattering, monumental, game changing, history defining remark/statement? He wouldn't be fit for the presidency if he did.

I first read this story onh ABC.com and the posters over there attacked him as if he was the most ignorant person since the beginning of time. (By the way, when did the ABC readers become so hateful?)

Intelligent people don't provide information that they don't have to. Especially when speaking with their adversaries and when it's for the record. User you brain people.

[BBC9nch]

Two US troupers di.ed in Afghanistan yesterday while carrying out the latest mission. My thoughts go out to those families during their hour of bereavement.

[factotem]

Are you fro real Obama? Noone cares about your golf swing with things collapsing around us.

[madatnewsmedia]

Were you this pissed at George Bush? Not!! Why are you stupid people mad at Obama? He didn't write this story! LOL

[factotem]

It's called "leadership." You and Obama should look into it.

[NoblesseOblige]

We need a healthy and physically fit president to get things done, dontcha' think?

[factotem]

You Obamites are such enablers. It's sad. When you will ger over his PR and eval his actions?

[kwapiv]

I doubt Obama just grabbed the mic and started talking about his golf swing. He was most probably responding to a question. I too could care less about his golfing but come on, the person at fault isn't Obama, chance are its the reporter who's at fault for asking a question which would require him to talk about his golf swing.

[factotem]

It's called "fiddling while Rome burns"