GOP congresswoman hangs up on Obama - twice
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/03/art.obamacall.gi.jpg caption="Above: Pre-election Obama makes a slightly smoother call."]WASHINGTON (CNN) -A Florida congresswoman – convinced she was being prank-called by a Barack Obama sound-alike – hung up on the actual president-elect Wednesday.
Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was told by an aide that Obama wanted to speak with her. According to a statement released by her office, the Republican congresswoman cut off the caller, telling him she thought “this is a joke from one of the South Florida radio stations known for these pranks.” She then hung up.
Obama’s future White House chief of staff, Rahm Emmanuel – a fellow congressman – then called her to let her know she’d actually been speaking with the future commander-in-chief. Ros-Lehtinen, convinced the call was another hoax, hung up on him, too.
Finally, an aide told Ros-Lehtinen she had an urgent call from Chairman Howard Berman, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Still suspicious, Ros-Lehtinen urged the California Democrat to recount a story only both of them would know.
Berman passed the test - and told her she had, in fact, hung up on President-elect Obama.
When an amused Obama called again, Ros-Lehtinen he was either “very gracious” to reach across the aisle by contacting her, or “had run out of folks to call, if you are truly calling me.” Otherwise, she said, Saturday Night Live “could use a good Obama impersonator like you.” The Obama transition team declined comment on the incident.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton also spoke with Ros-Lehtinen by phone, relatively uneventfully.
This may actually be the greatest thing ever.
I am not surprised. The last eight years we have heard nothing but lies from this administration and republican leadership so they think every are like them.
Who hit her with the stupid stick?
Very understandable after the Palin-Sarkozy prank.
Not surprised. The woman is as dumb as she is a sham of a senator. I spent three LONG years living in Miami with her as my congress person. UGH.
this woman is smart, unlike someone else that got a call.
Are all Republicans idiots?
And that boys and girls why the GOP are one losing team.
Who can blame her?
Dumb
how is this political ticker?
Let me be the first to say:
lol
Ok, I understand some skepticism when you are being told Barack Obama is on the phone, especially when you are a relatively unknown state GOPer, but how many people need to call you and tell you Barack Obama is on the phone before you clue in?
Even if I was doubtful, I would rather be the butt of a local joke than hang up on President Obama twice. Which does everyone else here think is worse?
I guess she didn't want to be another "Punked Palin".
She didn't want to be PALINIZED!!!! (She got spooked!)
Wow. This woman should be forced to resign. This is not like Sarah Palin being pranked that the president of France was calling. Ms. Palin should have realized that the president of a foreign country does NOT call a candidate. This woman should have realized that the president elect DOES call representatives. This demonstrates that she does not have the judgment to serve.
PC
Al Qaeda will be hanging up on Obama a lot. He might as well get used to it. They've already taunted him and he had no response.
This is just stupid. I'm glad other people intervened to get her straightened out, but it's just really really dumb.
Oh, and by the way CNN, this is not newsworthy.
I actually know this woman – she's not my representative but I live near her district. Pretty amusing stuff.
ooooo.....awkward, but funny. ; p
She is more suspicious that dimwit Palin who talked nonsense with 2 Canadian comedians impersonating French President Sarkozy. I am French and the exchange was hilarious. Anyone with 1/2 brain would have known this was a prank. Palin ? Nooooo....
Ros-Lehtinen knew exactly who she was talking to, she is just another angry Republican
STILL WAITING TO SEE HIS REAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE !
Is it me or shouldn't she have at least appologized, out of commom decency. Boy have I had enough of these Sara Palin Republicans!
Lets call this the...."Palin effect"