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Obama’s ‘Jeopardy’ Joke Falls Flat During Press Conference

Jul. 18, 2011 2:07pm Jonathon M. Seidl

If you have to tell someone you just told a joke after they failed to laugh, usually that tells you something. So it’s worth wondering what went wrong when the president tried to crack a funny while introducing his choice to head the new consumer protection bureau Monday afternoon.

During his introduction of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, the president mentioned that Cordray is a former five-time Jeopardy champion. Consequently, he said, “all [Cordray's] answers at his confirmation hearings will be in the form of a question.”

The audience was silent.

“That’s a joke,” Obama said smiling, allowing the crowd to break out in a chorus of chuckles:

Presidential jokes are welcomed, and the president tells them often. But this one, it seems, fell flat, either because it wasn’t funny, it had poor delivery, or no one wanted to be the first to break out in laughter during a serious moment. Whatever the reason, it was awkward.

As for the actual nomination of Cordray, that isn’t a joke, and in fact, many Republicans have deep concerns about him.

Obama and Cordray were joined in the Rose Garden by Elizabeth Warren, a special assistant to the president who had been charged with getting the agency running. Warren is widely considered the architect of the bureau, and consumer groups wanted her to be named its leader. But she was strongly opposed by Republicans and would have faced a difficult path to confirmation.

Republicans have already threatened to block Cordray’s Senate confirmation as well.

Cordray, 52, is considered a Warren ally and has been working with her as director of enforcement for the agency.

Republicans fought fiercely against the creation of the bureau last year and have been trying to place restrictions on its work. In May, all Senate Republicans joined in a letter to Obama threatening to withhold their support for any nominee to the position if the White House didn’t seek significant changes to the agency.

The financial industry has also expressed concerns about the agency, worrying that it would restrict new products just when companies are seeking to replace profits squeezed by the new financial rules.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it had deep concerns over how Cordray would use the agency’s “broad powers.”

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was a central feature of a law Congress passed last year that overhauled the rules that govern the financial sector. The agency will serve as a government watchdog over mortgages, credit cards and other forms of lending when it officially begins its work on July 21.

You can read our initial report on Cordray here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(via Greg Hengler)

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Comments (240)

Alky
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:26pm
It’s not in the constitution!

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- Pujols
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:41pm
  Obama is as funny as a fart in a wet suit.
  
  Report this comment
- pajamash
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:45pm
  We want a leader, not a comedian!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- aesaac
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:48pm
  the comic in chief
  
  Report this comment
- mattsanz
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:51pm
  We can answer the Jepordy question, but we can not state 1 enumerated power of Govt. The big question is if its done intentionally?
  
  Report this comment
- Uncle Tom
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:52pm
  Pujols
  “Obama is as funny as a fart in a wet suit.”
  
  I have to disagree with you, because a fart in a wetsuit is actually quite hilarious.
  
  Report this comment
- ConstitutionalPatriot
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:53pm
  What has this ‘Commander in sheep’s [clothing]‘ done yet that IS IN the U.S.Constitution? He claims to be a Constitutional Scholar… my question is which Constitution?
  
  Report this comment
- the_zazzy
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:55pm
  He’s such a funny lil’ guy!!! I was laughing so hard, I almost forgot that we are involved in four wars, the economy is flatlining, my health insurance premiums have risen 50%, the unemployment rate is over 9%, and the country has never been more divided. I’m glad he’s able to provide his teleprompter comedy to lighten my dark world. Keep it up, O!
  
  Report this comment
- sooner12
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:55pm
  It’s Obozo that’s the joke.
  
  Report this comment
- cessna152
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:07pm
  They did not laugh? RACISTS!
  
  (sarcasm)
  
  Report this comment
- Furious American
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:09pm
  @ Uncle Tom
  “I have to disagree with you, because a fart in a wetsuit is actually quite hilarious.”
  
  Not if it’s your wetsuit!
  
  Report this comment
- VRW Conspirator
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:14pm
  @PUJOLS
  
  that can be really funny if it wasn’t you that did it…. =)
  
  Report this comment
- CCRYDER
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:20pm
  Pujols – now that’s funny…thanks for the chuckle!
  
  Report this comment
- On The Bayou
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:21pm
  So are you Mr. President.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:22pm
  No Sir, The real joke is your whole Administration ! I’ve worked
  with a few different organizations, Never have quite seen a
  turnaround like this..Need to dump Holder and Jan…
  Whats the tally for M.O. now ?? like a contest…tween BO & MO..
  
  Report this comment
- cosette
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:26pm
  Upon instruction by Obamassiha- the Washington press pool will confirm his attempt at humor by breaking out in laughter. There there, good little lemmings. Nauseating sycophants!
  
  Report this comment
- Professional Infidel
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:43pm
  not me but this guy knows all the answers.
  
  Report this comment
- chazman
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:44pm
  That’s about as funny as tying a pork chop around OBAMMY’S neck just to get the dog to play with him!
  
  Report this comment
- fatjack
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:45pm
  The lack of laughter could be, indifference to his choice.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:46pm
  The’ll put in a laugh track before it aires…ObaMSN..
  the Bozos Tingels,OhDonl and PigEd will get a chuckel…
  
  Report this comment
- Fly Old Glory 24/7 365
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:48pm
  is it a wet wetsuit or a dry wetsuit?
  
  Report this comment
- chfields62
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 4:05pm
  His jokes are like him…EPIC FAIL!!!
  
  Report this comment
- streetrodder
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 4:15pm
  @Pajamash, Obozo is neither!
  
  Report this comment
- Taquoshi
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 4:49pm
  Whoops! TOTUS must be on vacation.
  
  Report this comment
- ComingUnglued
  Posted on July 19, 2011 at 12:05am
  Political theatre for $200.00 Alex
  
  Are we getting Warren in Cordray’s clothing. Just asking
  
  Report this comment
- Fantastic Four
  Posted on July 19, 2011 at 12:28am
  Like everything else he does HE NEEDS TO REMIND US when to things such as laugh, give up our money, give up our freedoms, and submit to the laws of bearded towels ones
  
  Report this comment
- Fantastic Four
  Posted on July 19, 2011 at 12:30am
  laugh everyone the king demanded it………..then they do……what a funny guy
  
  Report this comment
- obama-mecca-me-sick
  Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:26am
  Its a real knee slapper just like the “shovel ready jobs not so shovel ready” joke. OMG! Obama is so underappreciated. He is just as funny as Bill Maher and Jon Stewart. Why does the majority of Americans not find the communist takeover funny? Come on – to the liberals and Hollywood its HILARIOUS!
  These grumpy uneducated Americans wanting jobs and a balanced budget just dont get the humor of the elites , who are laughing their @zzes off all the way to the bank.
  
  Report this comment
- CommonSenseis Missing
  Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:42am
  And this is newsworthy becasue?? …. Beck thought this was worth space in the Blaze? Really?
  
  Report this comment
dogdr
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:25pm
As far as an abysmal work ethic goes, I nominate GW. In his 8 years in office he spent 977 days total at his ranch and “vacationing” at Camp David. That equates to ~1/3 of his presidency on vacation.
Granted we would have been better off if he took more days off, but there is no way ANY president can compete with GW for most vacation days while in office
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- bandi9
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:31pm
  sorry, but i dont believe your stats. also, GW was at work every morning by around 6-6:30. YOUR pres. waltzes in 8:30, 9 from what a reliable source tells us. Dont even try and compare work ethics, dude.
  
  Report this comment
- Chris
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:38pm
  The difference is that even while in Crawford Bush was still engaged with his duties as President. didn’t they call it something like the Western Whitehouse because it was business as usual even when he was there?
  
  Report this comment
- the58thstate
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:40pm
  he could work and did work from there. its much harder to work on anything from a golf course or while campaigning. you libs need to start blaming the prompter for his incompetence. bush is gone if you hadnt noticed so SHUT UP.
  
  Report this comment
- JustMeInAZ
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:40pm
  Are you serious!!? You want to talk about work ethics? This child/puppet we have in office spends most of his time golfing or vacationing (when he isn’t throwing tantrums and running out of meetings). Sheesh, get a clue and stop the blind worship.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Bin Lying
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:44pm
  Ok, if you want to get your info from the Liberal Biased media, lets be fair here then. Knoller reports that Bush spent 879 days not 977. So please get your facts straight here, out of that you had 17 heads of state visiting GW’s ranch. So they tended to be working vacations.
  
  But put that in comparison to the lavish vacation that the Spender in Chief has had, golfing twice a month, India, Italy, the Hawaii vacation, as compared to TX and Maine. In addition there were 33 extravigant nights out away from the WH, and 14 visits to camp David, for a total of 32 days there, and by the end of August, Ohboy will have taken 19 vacation trips, (over 48 days) So in the 608 days that Obama has been in, he has been out 159 days (by your math) which is 26% of the time. Not to count weekends and Holidays.
  
  So you really should research your facts, because when you throw your Liberal biased math into it, it makes you look retarded. If you would like the names of the 17 Foriegn dignitaries, I can be more than happy to supply them.
  
  Report this comment
- aesaac
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:50pm
  engaged har, this guy can’t even find the clutch.
  
  Report this comment
- KyWriter
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:02pm
  Typical delusional troll. DO NOT FEED.
  
  Report this comment
- ConstitutionalPatriot
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:08pm
  OK, if you are correct (which I seriously doubt) that means out of 2921 day’s in office he, President G.W.Bush was either at his ranch, with his team working on the issues in America or at Camp David, again doing the peoples business for 977 day’s. Remembering he was at Camp David right after 9/11 shows your error. But that aside, in 892 days in office former Senator Obama has spend 104 day’s golfing 182 day’s vacationing, 2 day’s coaching a youth Basketball game his daughter didn’t even attend 5 days in Hollywood, and 68 days campaigning for a total of 361 day’s, which for you math challenged liberal’s is four day’s short of a calendar year. subtracting 361 day’s out of 892 leaves…531 days which is roughly 40.5% away from the people’s business. Would you care to comment who has taken more time off now?
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:40pm
  @ dogdr
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:25pm
  
  Nothing is goin’ right fo’ BO, so we have to bring GW into
  the picture, Get F’N over it Libo , thats history… Your guy
  has things so F’up, its going to take decades to clean up.
  But he’ll be a Billionaire when he leaves office, thanks
  to GE,GM,Chrysler, unions and the rest of that green crap
  he’s been pushing….he’s got his azz covered…
  
  Report this comment
HUGGINGMYBABIES
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:25pm
He clearly needs more time with Stewart/Maher/Colbert and maybe a little training on timing with Letterman.

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- jakartaman
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:17pm
  who are they?
  
  Report this comment
- chazman
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 6:24pm
  @CONSTITUTIONALPATRIOT
  
  Good job on the stats, old friend.
  
  Report this comment
- jb.kibs
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 7:18pm
  more unfunny people.
  
  Report this comment
fertlmind
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:25pm
Joker in chief
all on our dime
I’ll be telling some jokes on January 2013 when this joker is officially replaced by a serious constitution loving, free market conservative who will hunt down and purge the government of all the commie moles Obamma has installed.

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- NJTMATO
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:39pm
  AMEN to that!!!
  
  Report this comment
- VRW Conspirator
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 3:26pm
  perhaps O-Bozo the clown needs to fire his writers and hire new ones…or maybe it was a teleprompter malfunction…
  maybe he can borrow Maher’s writers…wait..they suck too…
  maybe he can use Colbert’s…nah..wouldn’t be able to speak French like Colbert…
  maybe he can use Stewart’s…i bet that would be great…the socialists like to share everything right…
  
  Report this comment
LadyLibertykicksASS
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:24pm
I guess the joke has been on us for the past 3 yrs…….yuk,yuk, yuck!!!!!

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- Obama Fail Cant Get Up
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 8:33pm
  Good one Lady – and so true…OUCH!
  
  Report this comment
ripley
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:24pm
Obama tells a joke? Obama IS a joke.

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BigPaulie
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:24pm
Obamao is a bonehead.

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Progressives_are_useful_idiots
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:24pm
shocking … another no-experience in anything other than academia and law useless teat on a bull Demo rat

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agameofthrones
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:23pm
How’s that budget crisis going there, chief?

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- bleuze
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:46pm
  Ever mine the budget crisis, what about Frannie & Freddie in which Obama lead the charge not to regulate them! He was just getting too much money!
  
  Report this comment
John2350
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:23pm
Have you ever watched any of these confirmation hearings? His joke was kind of funny.

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- jb.kibs
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 7:21pm
  /slurp /slurp – that’s what you sound like.
  
  Report this comment
GodblessGlennBeck
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:22pm
And yet, the horror multiplies: I just heard that the Senate is drafting an “alternative” that might allow Obama the power to raise the debt ceiling all by himself??????? Shall I start watching for this President’s coronation???? Have they lost their minds?????

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- netmail
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:28pm
  Yes, they’ve “lost their minds”. Im barely hanging on to mine.
  
  Report this comment
- smithclar3nc3
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:30pm
  The House would have to approve the Senate’s bill so they can draft away. These liberal idiots are soooo worried about getting re-elected that they can’t handle the real issues for fear of making the wrong move. The are rendering themselves useless servnats of the president. The powers welded by th executive office have grown dramaticly without any adaptations to the Constitution to make them Constitutional. Thus executive orders are unconstituitional. We need to rid ourselves of these career politicians at alll cost.
  
  Report this comment
- Mr. Oshawott
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:58pm
  @GodBlessGlennBeck
  
  If that’s the case, we’ll be spending the next years submerged in red ink! We have got to get those self-serving professional politicians out of our government and replace them with people that will ACTUALLY abide by the Constitution.
  
  Report this comment
beekeeper
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:21pm
What, you were expecting these reporters to be amused by the President’s promise that his next nominee would answer questions with questions, not answers? That wasn’t a joke, that was S.O.P. for this administration…

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- Brizz
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:55pm
  Sad but true. Do we expect to get easy answers out of Cordray?
  
  Report this comment
NotFooled
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:21pm
Obummer should stick with what works for him and is a huge joke, his political policies. LMAO!!!

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Jose259
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:19pm
He is a joke…

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MarinesNolikeyObama
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:19pm
He is doing the only thing he knows how to do… make useless speaches, travel on the tax payers millions, and avoid doing the business that is the responsibility of the POTUS. Don’t blame him, blame those that voted for him. We get the government we deserve! We get the leadership we elect…

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iamHeidi
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:18pm
Kinda lame, but, he’s a joke.

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SidneyDave
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:18pm
Obama’s the joke.

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terry0528
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:17pm
Tell a bad joke, nominate another socialist, and head out golfing. That’s OK since everything is going OK hear.

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Pontiac
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:16pm
Gotta find something to do between golfing, vacations, and white house parties.

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HTuttle
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:16pm
It’s because Mr. WellSpoken’s timing totally SUCKS.

Obama: “Take my wife please.”

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h158x
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:16pm
I remember when Jimmy Carter was president. It was painful. I knew when Obama got elected, it was going to be a similar pain. I was wrong. It is worse.

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- vennoye
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:20pm
  You are sooooooooooo right!! Worst part: apparently more of the country is crazy now too!!
  
  Report this comment
- oldasdirt
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:37pm
  The joke was so funny people forgot to laugh..Pain?,,More like agony.
  
  Report this comment
jp2feminist
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:15pm
You are a joke, Obama.

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9111315
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:15pm
Why do we have to have a President in the form of a joke?

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- jb.kibs
  Posted on July 18, 2011 at 7:20pm
  +Like
  
  Report this comment
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:13pm
No, what’s a joke is 4 more years of Obama.

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hauschild
Posted on July 18, 2011 at 2:10pm
Only a really insincere SOB can make stupid jokes in times like these. What’s he doing giving meaningless pressers? Shouldn’t he be involved in formulating a budget – something he’s kinda required to do? Have you ever known a POTUS with such an abysmal work ethic? The dude couldn’t care less.

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