Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Obama: 'Cinco de Cuatro'

This is Obama's second Cinco de Mayo as president of the United States.

Last year, if you recall, Obama revealed that his Spanish skills are not good.

From the Associated Press: 'El no habla': Obama jumbles Cinco de Mayo salute.

President Barack Obama's joke wasn't lost in translation—even though he referred to a Cinco de Mayo celebration as "Cinco de Cuatro."

Obama jumbled his words as he welcomed guests to the White House to observe the Mexican holiday, sending the crowd into laughter before he referred to the day correctly.

"Welcome to Cinco de Cuatro—Cinco de Mayo at the White House," said Obama, in what appeared to be an attempt to note they were celebrating on the fourth of May instead of the fifth.

Cinco de cuatro means "five of four" in Spanish.

"We are a day early, but we always like to get a head start here at the Obama White House," he said.

During the presidential campaign, Obama acknowledged his Spanish skills weren't great.

"My accent's always been good," he said. "It's just that I only know 15 words."

If George W. Bush had said "Cinco de Cuatro" he would have been mercilessly mocked by the Left for the flub.

Naturally, Obama got a pass.

Go figure.

2 comments:

lady di said...

the 'skills' he is not good at keep adding up!

Mary said...

He's good at bowing. I'll give him that.

Unfortunately, he hasn't figured out when it's appropriate to use that skill.