Awkward Pause: President Obama Opens Speech With Minute Of Unexplained Silence

[Casino67]

Mediaite.com:

President Obama took to the podium today to talk to Americans about the White House’s initiatives to help veterans get back into the work force and what the government is doing to encourage a health economy. But before he dove into the details, the President stood at his podium for a good minute or so in silence, interrupting only to let the audience know that he was “just waiting, here.”

The President didn’t quite specify what he was waiting for as he stared out into the audience for the minute, though a number of things could have been delaying his cue– television cameras getting in order, his teleprompter loading up or simply a scheduling technicality. Either way, by the time a minute went by of the audience waiting expectantly for the President to say something, a man in the audience took matters into his own hands and shouted “awkward!” at the President.

A few seconds later, President Obama began his speech without incident. We’re still awaiting confirmation on what exactly happened during the speech but, either way, it made for an awkward TV moment for anyone watching at home:

//Vid at site//

[Valin]

the President stood at his podium for a good minute or so in silence, interrupting only to let the audience know that he was “just waiting, here.”

 

 

Alas then he spoke...well it's true good things often never last...sigh

[NCJim]

"the President stood at his podium for a good minute or so in silence, interrupting only to let the audience know that he was “just waiting, here.”

 

for someone to fix the teleprompter

[clearvision]

Someone had to pull the string at his back to get the wind up voice going.

[Pepper]

NCJim! Casino67! Clearvision! Valin!

 

There was a 21(?) -gun salute.

 

Obama did the right thing in waiting.

 

If you go here, turn up the speakers all the way you can hear the gunfire.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

He was trying to reboot?

[pollyannaish]

I find his pauses less awkward than his speeches...