Who says U.S. presidents can't be dorky, nerdy and yet super cool at the same time? Apparently no one at the White House, as a Facebook video illustrates President Barack Obama proves it all true in revealing his penchant for digital technology in his continuing quest to push forward his national healthcare agenda.
In a BuzzFeed video going viral as you read this (reports claim it grabbed 2.6 million hits in just two hours after its debut Thursday) Obama shows his fun side in a spoofy two-minute flick during which he makes funny faces in a mirror, takes some selfies--with and without a selfie stick--practices a speech in a mirror, attempts to dunk a big cookie in a small glass of milk, does a few air moves showing his three-point shot form, sketches a black-and-white illustration of his favorite girl, grimaces and smiles at his own image and at one point pulls on G-man shades.
And it's all in the name of getting greater public awareness about his healthcare program and driving traffic to healthcare.gov as the enrollment deadline of Feb. 15 looms this weekend.
The video is aptly titled "Things Everybody Does But Doesn't Talk About," and by late Thursday the clip boasted 5.4 million views. Not bad for a president in his final term though it's likely to catch the ire of Republicans and those striving to overturn the national healthcare program.
However, one should not be surprised about Obama's techie nature and fondness for tapping digital media in the Internet age. After all it is not the first time that Obama has taken to the videotape to spread the message about federal healthcare. His appearance in March of 2013 on Funny or Die's 'Between Two Ferns,' starring Zach Galifianakis, is a classic. It's nearing 10 million views at this point.
In April, 2013 Obama took time to pose for a selfie with David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox designated hitter visiting the White House during which Obama honored the 2013 World Series champions.
As news reports note, Obama is a smartphone lover as well and when he forgets his beloved BlackBerry while embarking on a trip it hits the headlines in short order.
And apparently he's got some lust in his techie soul for Apple's ever-popular iPhone.
"I am not allowed, for security reasons, to have an iPhone," Obama reportedly told a group of young people in 2013, as noted by a BlackBerry blog. We're guessing that scenario will change once he leaves office in November 2016.
