Cliché Watch

Obama 'Punts' on Entire Presidency

Ray Gustini 12 Views Dec 15, 2010

Barack Obama hasn't had much luck with sports metaphors lately. Last month he was chided for claiming to have hit "really important singles" during a 10-day tour of Asia, a trip National Journal's Matthew Cooper considered more of a "shallow hit that barely got him to first base." Members of the press and politicians on both sides of the aisle are taking the president to task for his perceived fondness for "punting" on key decisions--the word comes up over and over again. While a well-timed punt--as any Big Ten football fan will tell you--is nothing to be ashamed of, people wish Obama left his offense on the field for the following issues (click through to see what we mean):

Extending the Bush-era tax cuts (Rep. Anthony Weiner, Sen. Al Franken)

Investing in broadband technology (Newsweek)

Repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (The Washington Post, ABC News)

Banning offshore oil drilling (Daily Kos)

Everything (Sarah Palin)

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Ray Gustini

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Topics: The President

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