By Ed O'Keefe

Aug 5, 2008 9:37am

Obama Impugns My Cake Selection

A clearly jubilant Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., served up birthday cake to the press corps on the flight to Youngstown, Ohio, last night.

He pointed out to my fellow passengers that I chose a piece with a flower, and wouldn’t tell me details about his birthday presents.

On a more substantive note, on Good Morning America this am, we fact-checked energy claims by Obama and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

- jpt

User Comments

Thanks for the fact-check segment, Tapper, though it’s not one of your best. By your own words, all of McCain’s claims are demonstrably false. One of Obama’s – the inflated tires/tuned engines – is labeled as false with a big stamp, but you do note a significant cost savings, and you don’t compare that cost savings to the projected savings from offshore drilling. Obama’s second – the $4B tax break for oil companies – you rate as “barely true.” How can something be “barely true.” It’s either true or it’s false.

Posted by: dboorstin | August 5, 2008, 9:49 am 9:49 am

Jake
don’t you yearn for the moment when Obama could talk to you and make a joke and not worry about the laugh and what will fall from it…
I would’ve made fun of you for pickin the piece with the big@## flower too.
You have to admit… it must suck that you can’t make a joke about a piece of cake without worrying that someone is going to trash you …
…and dude…that flower was a big heap of pure sugar… oy.

Posted by: dl | August 5, 2008, 9:50 am 9:50 am

that last comment was not a commentary on you…just must suck to have to worry about making jokes all the time…
for me that is existential hell. lol

Posted by: dl | August 5, 2008, 9:52 am 9:52 am

MCAIN is a liar and a fraud!!!!!!!!!! and for the tire inflation i do belive that gov arnold s has said it, charlie crist has said it, nascar has said it, so mccain your childness behavior is really funny seems to me your mocking your own party members!!! john mccain you are becoming more and more pathetic but lets see who will be laughing in nov the joke will be on you mccain when obama wins BY A LANDSLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: angie | August 5, 2008, 9:53 am 9:53 am

Hey Jake,
Obama says that we could save as much oil checking the air in our tires as off shore oil drilling.
It would seem to me that this depends on what production you expect to get from off-shore oil production.
If the production is 200,000 barrels a day, as was estimated by the Bush administration, then Obama’s claim needs to be stamped TRUE.
Remember, most of the coastal states are not going to approve of off-shore drilling if they have anything to say about it.
A reporter should always check his/her facts, but it is even more important for a reporter to highlight his/her assumptions!

Posted by: John's conscience | August 5, 2008, 9:54 am 9:54 am

McCain? Smug? Elite? Only says what his handlers tell him . . . . . .
I guess they’ll control the white house.

Posted by: DAVID NH | August 5, 2008, 10:00 am 10:00 am

Here’s something the media ought to fact-check, but are not talking about for some reason. Is it true that closing the Enron loophole could bring down gas prices as much as 50% at the pump? (more likely 25% though)
You’d think one of the candidates would talk about it.

Posted by: Mike | August 5, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am

Seriously Jake, the tire pressure thing means alot to me personally as it is something that helps me instantly. I don’t have to wait for the Senate to approve it. Nor for the check to be mailed to me. Nor 10 years. And I don’t have to wait for the next cartel meeting. Or for candidates to see how much mileage they get out of it, first!

Posted by: DAVID NH | August 5, 2008, 10:03 am 10:03 am

Mike: Obama has talked about closing the Enron Loopholes from day one. It is on his to do list. That was one of his big issues when running against Hillary.

Posted by: beck | August 5, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am

Obama says it’s our fault gas is $4 because our tires are under inflated.

Posted by: geevill | August 5, 2008, 10:33 am 10:33 am

Since we don’t know exactly what savings we could get from either tire inflation or off-shore drilling, I think Obama’s remark is still reasonable.

Posted by: jock59801 | August 5, 2008, 10:42 am 10:42 am

Mike wrote:
Is it true that closing the Enron loophole could bring down gas prices as much as 50% at the pump? (more likely 25% though)
****************
You wont see McCain talk about this because it was “Phil-er-UP” Gramm that was the author of the Bill.

Posted by: MI VOTER | August 5, 2008, 10:42 am 10:42 am

“Let them eat cake.”
“A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Easy Jake, remain objective – LOL.

Posted by: Bearded Mark | August 5, 2008, 10:44 am 10:44 am

John McCain has agreed that we should all do our part by keeping our tires properly inflated – but also realizes that it won’t replace ALL of the oil produced by domestic drilling as claimed by Obama. McCain’s “Conserve More, Produce More, Invent More” approach to energy independence is absolutely correct. While Obama’s won’t drill/might drill, won’t tap reserves/should tap reserves approach is all over the place according to what the polls and his advisors tell him to tell us.

Posted by: marylou | August 5, 2008, 10:47 am 10:47 am

As for Jake’s flower, Obama often makes jokes at another’s expense. It’s one of his worst traits; I’ll leave it to the psychoanalysts to explain what it means when a person consistently does that.

Posted by: marylou | August 5, 2008, 10:48 am 10:48 am

I think people read too much into every little thing. If a person likes icing on the cake they tend to go for the piece with the flower or any other design. Obama comments about the icing confirms that. Besides it was made in fun jest. People with something known as a sense of humor would find it more amusing than offensive.

Posted by: bspia2 | August 5, 2008, 11:21 am 11:21 am

So pathetic.

Posted by: fact check | August 5, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am

Even though they are short on cash,the DNC is spending a rediculous amount of money to color coordinate the organic food at the Democratic convention.
All to create an environment fit for “The One”.

Posted by: riley | August 5, 2008, 11:29 am 11:29 am

I would much rather eat cake with Obama than with McCain.

Posted by: cincyr | August 5, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Jake
On the tire inflation info, we here in the other Washington(Washington State) got that tip back when the talk first began that gas prices were on the rise. The tip came from one of our local TV NEWS station, in some sort of consumer tip segment.
So, this is something that has been circulating for a while, and it has been in the national news, that California gov, Arnold S and Florida gov,Charlie C mentioned it as well, so what is Senator McCains beef?

Posted by: fempharoh08 | August 5, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am

what is Obama getting at?

Posted by: geevill | August 5, 2008, 11:46 am 11:46 am

so what is Senator McCains beef?
Posted by: fempharoh08 | Aug 5, 2008 11:44:35 AM
********
That is easy! McCain gets money from BIG OIL, so saving gas is NOT what McCain and his backers want. They want us to WASTE gas, so that you have to buy more and they make more money. Gas conservation is the last thing McCain’s oil llobby buddies want you to do. They would prefer that the grocery store only sold you one egg at time, so you would have to make multiple trips just to make an omelete! LOL!

Posted by: MI VOTER | August 5, 2008, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm

So this cake, I guess there no shot at Cindy poppin out of it, eh?

Posted by: Cindy the first ***** | August 5, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm

“As for Jake’s flower, Obama often makes jokes at another’s expense. It’s one of his worst traits … “

Posted by: Belle Starr | August 5, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

Be careful Jake, with the possiblity that Obama gets the White House, he might outlaw candles! Remember, Europeans don’t want us to have our thermostats up to 71 degrees or use those wasteful lightbulbs! Oh, yeah, you are going to be too busy covering the thousands of people moving out of their houses that are too big. Remember, Obama believes that everyone should live in the same sized house and everyone should earn the same amount of money. Equal playing field, right? Wait a minute, that sounds an awful lot like the ideas from the “Communist Manifesto”? Did you know Obama and Michelle do not give B-Day and Christmas gifts to their children? Oh, to have the “annointed one” serve YOU a piece of cake! Gosh, I’d blush! How much of a carbon footprint did that plane make yesterday?

Posted by: justrighttoo | August 5, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

“There are things you can do individually, though, to save energy. Making sure your tires are properly inflated — simple thing. But we could save all the oil that they’re talking about getting off drilling — if everybody was just inflating their tires? And getting regular tune-ups? You’d actually save just as much!” – Quote from Obama
fempharoh08: The beef is that Obama said inflating tires would “save all the oil that they’re talking about getting off drilling” which is NOT true. That’s the beef.
And tune-ups? Unless we’re all driving around in beat up Gremlins from the 70s, cars don’t need tune-ups any more. Some cars don’t need oil changes for 100,000 miles. If Obama actually drove a car in the past 10 years, he might know that.

Posted by: JL | August 5, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

Only 15% of tires on vehicles are under-inflated, the amount of saving on gas is much exaggerated so say the experts.
Obama’s energy plan is full of hot air compared to McCain’s. McCain has been stating for months that all energy sources should be developed–Obama has not. Oil company excs say they can have gas at the pump in three years if permitted to start drilling now in certain ares. The Democrats love this energy cost problem. They can blame the Republicans.

Posted by: Martin | August 5, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

Ok, So Jack travels with Obama and blogs about Obama.. Who travels with McCain and blogs about McCain?

Posted by: Lisa P, CT | August 5, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

“As for Jake’s flower, Obama often makes jokes at another’s expense. It’s one of his worst traits … “

Posted by: Lance D. | August 5, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

Jake eating at the same table as Obama the self anointed Jesus

Posted by: oil man | August 5, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

Simple math :
Proper tire inflation and regular maintenance (oil changes and filter replacement) can improve mileage on average by 3.3% – 3.3% of $4 is $.012.
The estimates for the reduction in gas prices (7- 10 years from now) from offshore drilling is approx. $.02 – $.06 per gallon.
The same people laughed at Jimmy Carter in 1976 when he talked about conservation. If only they had listened instead.

Posted by: house painter | August 5, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

“You have mastered the “Art of Sarcasm” to an extreme level, which I admire to some extent.”

Posted by: Belle Starr | August 5, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

Where is Michelle Obama? Did Barack throw her under the bus? I find it interesting she was not around to help him celebrate his birthday.
A HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, BARACK.

Posted by: Mary | August 5, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

As for “counterarguments” to The CHANGEling’s hothouse hokum, there’s
lying about the Exelon bill in Iowa
FISA
offshore drilling
escalation in Afghanistan
and many more.

Posted by: Belle Starr | August 5, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

mccain can have a sense of humor and bash obama under that guise
but once again obama having a sense of humor is just wrong
and if he doesnt have a sense of humor hes too full of himself
this is exactly how the mccain camp and media have played this campaign, let mccain do and say whatever, and then bash obama for whatever he does
he went and saw the troops!!!
oh wait he didnt
well then
HE DIDNT GO SEE THE TROOPS!!!!
mccain says pakistan iraq boarder … no big whoop, thats just mccain he has a lot on his mind, he knows whats going on
obama says something about the poppies in Afghanistan and its like KILL HIM HOW CAN THIS GUY BE RUNNING FOR OFFICE!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH
mccain talks about a country that hasnt been in existance since 92, not once, not twice, but three times
no big deal… he knows whats going on
obama says 57 states and its like
JESUS HOW ARROGANT CAN SOMEONE GET
mccain says i would have voted for FISA, but he didnt
YAY!!!
obama, i will actually do my job and return to the senate and vote for FISA
FLIP FLOP!!!!
Mccain i dont like giving our troops more benefits ill make my own bill and vote for neither one
and then ill take credit for getting the whole thing done
obama…. how dare he! he voted!
mccain, i now back drilling for oil
great we need someone who can act on this
obama, i support off shore drilling to some extent
TERRIBLE FLIP FLOPPER!!!!
yea good times

Posted by: bhrandon | August 5, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

belle star no matter how many flip flops you can claim to count, which i bet they fit on one hand coming from obama
you can not on two hands count the mccain flip flops
so i wonder…. are you upset with mccain for his flip flops or is that ok?

Posted by: bhrandon | August 5, 2008, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

Big deal! The press just laps up anything and everything Obama throws their way. They think he is Jesus, walking on water. It’s pathetic that journalists don’t even know the basic rule of being a good journalist is to be unbiast and to give both sides heck! It’s too bad they weren’t as fair to Hillary Clinton when she was running. I hope Obama gets trashed in November by McCain. I am doing everything I can to see that it happens!

Posted by: Mary Anne | August 5, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm

Tapper-”What did Michelle get you?”
“Can’t tell you that either”, Obama says.
Is it just me, or did Obama have the most mischievous smile you ever saw when he made that quip???
lol
uh, i’ll leave it at that……..

Posted by: nanao | August 5, 2008, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm

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