March 1st, 2013
03:36 PM ET
1 year ago

#JediMindMeld: May the forced spending cuts be with you

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(CNN) - If nothing else could bring the Republicans and Democrats to a deal to replace the forced spending cuts, maybe The Force can.

President Barack Obama mixed Star Wars and Star Trek metaphors in response to a question from CNN's Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin in the White House Briefing Room on Friday, saying he didn't have the power to "somehow do a Jedi mind meld with these folks and convince them to do what's right."

Obama has acknowledged he's a Trekkie, going so far as to invite Nichelle Nichols - the actress who played Lt. Uhura - to the White House.

He also said in a 2011 speech at Northern Michigan University after viewing technology teachers use to teach classes online, "I felt like the guy in Star Trek. I was being beamed around across the Upper Peninsula."

The White House tweeted:

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As did the actor who played Spock in Star Trek:

David Balser, president of the Star Trek fan association StarFleet, told CNN Friday that "a lot of Star Trek fans are also Star Wars fans" and Obama's mix-up is understandable.

"I think it's great that he's using Star Trek metaphors," Balser said, adding, "It would be great if all the political parties could get together and start to address the concerns of the nation and start to address the issues that are going on."

The official twitter account of Star Wars weighed in.

Republicans responded:

And predictably, the social media sphere reacted:

And some created vanity twitter accounts, like this one:

Others said he should be cut some slack, such as Twitter user @grifflion, who posted, "People! Obama has WAY more important things to think about other than a Star Trek or Star Wars analogy. geezuz."
Filed under: President Obama
soundoff (113 Responses)
  1. jpmichigan

    Tax and spend President has shown the American tax payer that he cannot lead, for to lead one has to care , over one's own agenda the people he is serving. It wasn't hard for him to repeal and sign back to 2% payroll tax cut, forcing tax payers to compromise and budget. These sever cuts to defense is something that should not of happen, but then the Democratic Party as a whole , including the Commander in chief, feel I defense isn't necessary for Al-queda is on the so called run. American safety is not appropriate, when they can release thousand of convicted jailed illegals , with out a blink of the eye. We will survive for American as whole are stronger then this administration. The chicken have come home to roust, Mr. President live with it.

    March 2, 2013 11:24 am at 11:24 am |
  2. Mike_LV

    Actually I think this mixed metaphor illustrates the fundamental difference in government. Two opposing factions that need to come together. In effect it WOULD be a Jedi Mind-Meld. Though I wouldn't credit either party as being representative of the Federation or the Republic. Well maybe Section 31 and the Sith Empire perhaps...

    March 2, 2013 11:37 am at 11:37 am |
  3. Tony

    Republicans blame Obama on everything. Their problem is that their blame game does not work. They don't have credibility, so no one listens to them.

    March 2, 2013 11:45 am at 11:45 am |
  4. Jond. A

    The probem with this goverment isn't the republicans. But it's the Democrats. They want to spend and tax and regulate everything and the other problem is. Obama use's threats as a way to get whan he wants. So I look for the mid term election to be for the Republicans. Because Democrats are pushing for more gun control and restriction on what the American people are allowed to have.

    March 2, 2013 12:38 pm at 12:38 pm |
  5. Pete

    Again just to make it clear republican ignorent posters here,they have to pass the sequester in the senate,congress before the president gets to sign it so don't blame the president because all he wants to do is repay your party for all the obstructionistic,hypocritical,racist crap you've been giving him since his inaugeration and you want him to be fair,are you crazy.Good move Pres.Obama to finally put the last of the nails in the republicans coffin and don't say republicans we haven't warned yah because we happily have,what idiots these republicans are,real hilarious aren't yah!!

    March 2, 2013 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |
  6. Martin

    It is time for our Commander-in-Chief to actually lead. Blame games are for kids; not for adults who are expected to lead the country. If Obama is unable to work with Congress, then we need a better, smarter, more competent President. Not one who whines all the times! I agree that it was white guilt that resulted in him being elected. What a sad commentary of our times, when people are led by emotions rather than intellect. I wish Obama all the best, but the fact of the matter is he is a weak President whose credibility is at stake.

    March 2, 2013 01:21 pm at 1:21 pm |
  7. ammiehol

    maybe Luke Skywalker should come down and help with the budget.

    March 2, 2013 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  8. Fug Xu

    Blame JJ Abrams for the term Jedi Mind-Meld, if only he'd stuck to Star Trek and let someone else direct Star Wars, we wouldn't have our Stars crossed. I laugh at all the Trek and Wars dorks...there is bound to be a lot of emo rage for the next decade or two.

    March 2, 2013 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |
  9. Fug Xu

    Oh, and it's not like it wasn't done before...remember Back to the Future? I'll leave you with this gem, "Last night, Darth Vader came down from Planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out, that he'd melt my brain."

    March 2, 2013 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |
  10. Dave

    This is the dumbest thing the media's been fixated about since "What difference does it make?"

    An apt question to ask in this instance.

    March 2, 2013 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |
  11. USAPeasant

    Lol I cannot stand boring Star Trek, but the spliced Obama-Spock picture under Michael Li's comment is brilliant!!!!

    On that note:

    Star Wars > Star Trek

    March 2, 2013 03:16 pm at 3:16 pm |
  12. T

    ............Spock:..........."Captain.............I cannot find any working brain power in these Republicans."

    ............Captain Kirk:.............."It was evident, do to the constand drooling, and incoherant messages about some black man"..............

    March 2, 2013 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |
  13. andrew johnson

    I always knew the Republicans were Klingons

    March 2, 2013 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |
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