Obama Says “I” 16,000 Times Since Taking Office

Today is Barack Obama’s 49th birthday and an ideal time to mark a little more than a year and a half causing havoc in the White House. What could be more appropriate to celebrate his 18 months of self interest and self involvement than a day honoring him?

According to the Associated Press, Obama will have dinner with friends and then settle down to a nice evening in his Hyde Park house. With his wife and children away, he’ll be “spending his birthday instead as a bachelor.” That’s the metaphor for the Obama presidency. He’ll be spending his birthday with his favorite person – himself.

Since Obama took office January last year, he’s talked endlessly about himself. At town halls, in speeches, during anniversaries and to the press, the message has always been the same: “I.” Obama has spoken some form of “I” or “me” more than 16,000 official times since he took office.

16,000.

I. I. YI. YI.

Imagine 16,000 of anything and you are talking big numbers.

Instead of 16 candles, light 16,000, but have the fire department on speed dial.

Refer to yourself once a day (something that never happens in Obamaland) and it will take you more than 40 years to equal Obama.

Turn that 16,000 into dollars and you could buy the new 2011 VW Jetta when it comes out in October.

With an extra 16,000 votes, the conservatives would have won a total majority in Britain during the last election.

But when you talk about yourself 16,000 times during roughly 18 months, you have a problem.

When it’s the president of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, we all have an “I” problem.

Forget the news of the day – economy, race, pro football or Lindsay Lohan. To the Narcissist-in-Chief, all days might end in a “y,” but every day starts with an “I.”

Obama has spoken or made remarks more than 700 times and counting – on everything from the economy to LGBT Pride Month. But he always comes back to one topic – himself.

(Of course, the Obama administration makes it easier to examine the Mountain of Me via the White House website and it's a major endeavor. Trying to recreate eight years of. Bush or Clinton would be even more challenging.)

Speaking to Senate Democrats on Feb. 3, he discussed working with the GOP: “And I told them, I want to work together when we can, and I meant it. I believe that's the best way to get things done for the American people.” That’s four “I” words out of 30 designed to be about “the American people.”

Want to talk economy? Obama talks Obama.