NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - That was not the phrase you were looking for, but the White House is rolling with it.
President Barack Obama jumbled the two most successful science fiction franchises during a news conference to discuss automatic spending cuts.
Obama was asked why he couldn't essentially lock key Republicans in a room and not let them out until both sides reached an agreement.
"I am not a dictator. I'm the president, so ultimately if Mitch McConnell or John Boehner say 'We need to go to catch a plane,' I can't have Secret Service block the doorway," Obama said. "I know this has been some of the conventional wisdom that' s been floating around Washington, that somehow, even though most people agree that I'm being reasonable, that most people agree I am presenting a fair deal, the fact that they don't take it means that I should somehow do a Jedi mind meld with these folks and convince them to do what's right."
A 'Jedi' is an elite knight in George Lucas' "Star Wars" franchise. A "mind meld" refers to an ability Vulcans have in the "Star Trek" franchise.
Faster than warp speed, the mash-up caused a stir on Twitter.
The Internet being what it is, a new meme was born:
Recognizing the growing meme, the White House - which has previously responded to an online petition to build a "Death Star" - embraced it, and Tweeted the following:
Entering "http://wh.gov/jedimindmeld" in a web browser will take users to the president's plan on the sequester.
White House Embraces President Obama's 'Jedi Mind Meld' Comment
/ CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - That was not the phrase you were looking for, but the White House is rolling with it.
President Barack Obama jumbled the two most successful science fiction franchises during a news conference to discuss automatic spending cuts.
Obama was asked why he couldn't essentially lock key Republicans in a room and not let them out until both sides reached an agreement.
"I am not a dictator. I'm the president, so ultimately if Mitch McConnell or John Boehner say 'We need to go to catch a plane,' I can't have Secret Service block the doorway," Obama said. "I know this has been some of the conventional wisdom that' s been floating around Washington, that somehow, even though most people agree that I'm being reasonable, that most people agree I am presenting a fair deal, the fact that they don't take it means that I should somehow do a Jedi mind meld with these folks and convince them to do what's right."
A 'Jedi' is an elite knight in George Lucas' "Star Wars" franchise. A "mind meld" refers to an ability Vulcans have in the "Star Trek" franchise.
Faster than warp speed, the mash-up caused a stir on Twitter.
The Internet being what it is, a new meme was born:
Recognizing the growing meme, the White House - which has previously responded to an online petition to build a "Death Star" - embraced it, and Tweeted the following:
Entering "http://wh.gov/jedimindmeld" in a web browser will take users to the president's plan on the sequester.
In:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News New York
Repairs for issues in NYCHA housing averages 470 days, city data says
How and when to vote early in New York and New Jersey for the 2026 general election
Family of GWB shooting victim blasts "miscarriage of justice"
NYC officials release 40,000 additional unseen post-9/11 documents