Advertisement

Barack Obama’s (not really) BlackBerry

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

After Barack Obama took office, he made sure that he got to keep his BlackBerry. Enter the San Francisco-based comedy team Kasper Hauser and its new book, ‘Barack Obama’s BlackBerry.’ The text appears on each page in a frame of an imagined custom-presidential BlackBerry-like device, with an icon of Michelle and the presidential seal. It is not a very long book. It is a very funny book.

Most of the messages become intermittent conversations — one running gag has Dennis Kucinich trying to sell a VW bus (‘might trade for a didgeridoo’) and Bill Clinton trying to get the president to send his wife abroad. Hillary Clinton herself is in touch, of course.

Text message from:
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State

HBomb:

r u still mad about the primary?

BarackO: no, why?

HBomb: why am I flying coach class to zimbabwe?

BarackO: have fun eating pretzels and watching marley and me :)

These are the kinds of messages the leaders of the free world might have if they were just like us — begging off the birthday invite for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, say. And don’t ask what password the fictional George W. Bush used to lock the Oval Office’s computer.

Advertisement

Through it all, the imaginary BlackBerry Barack is centered, patient and quick to move on, even as some of the characters around him act a little needy (a bored Joe Biden) or a little nuts (a drinking Ann Coulter).

The book’s press release clearly states that it ‘is not endorsed, sponsored, affiliated with, or otherwize authorized by to the Reseach in Motion Limited, the owner of the trademark BlackBerry.’ Aw, what would have been the harm?

— Carolyn Kellogg

Photo: Then-presidential candidate Barack Obama checks his BlackBerry on the campaign trail in July 2008. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

Advertisement