Animatronic Obama Going to Disney World With High-Tech Style (Hall of Presidents)

NYT ^ | 5/21/09 | JACQUES STEINBERG

[kidd]

LOS ANGELES — Barack Obama was standing on a riser inside a warehouse here, delivering an inspirational speech about the blessings of freedom, when his left index finger began to twitch uncontrollably, unnerving his aides.

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In that Hollywood building here, the life-size, three-dimensional figure was being put through its final tune-up, its chin rising and hands gesturing in response to technicians, in preparation for shipment to the Hall of Presidents exhibit at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

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The public is to get its first glimpse of “Robobama,” as it is known among some handlers, on July 4.

[kidd]

Well folks. This was inevitable.

I think a "Hall of Presidential Birth Certificates" would also be appropriate. Although it might be short one copy.

[bolobaby]

I wonder if the robot version of Obama will need a teleprompter to deliver his speech? They want to make him life-like, right?

[Malone LaVeigh]

So he is a Cylon!

[Sans-Culotte]

I had the misfortune of seeing the exhibit when the Slickster was POTUS. He was not all that well animated; he moved his arms around in a way Clinton would never have done. Hopefully, they will have the teleprompter as part of the current exhibit.

[stainlessbanner]

Don’t forget TOTUS

[Lockbar]

Did they have one of these of Klinton? What was he doing with his hands?

[Tarpon]

TOTUS in the hall of what-nots and animations. What’s changed?

[silverleaf]

Will the teleprompter also be enshrined?
POTUS and TOTUS- inextricably linked.

[GraceCoolidge]

...his left index finger began to twitch uncontrollably, unnerving his aides.

I think it is fair to say his leftist twitches unnerve all of us.

[the Fun in Fundamentalist]

How will we see the difference between Robama from Disney World and the other one in the White House?

[Dallas59]

[VRWCmember]

Does the animatronic zero need a teleprompter?

[OneWingedShark]

...”a robot in and _OUT_ of the White House!”

I doubt they’ll put that on the plaque, but I can imagine, right?

[King Moonracer]

How hard can it be to animate an empty suit. There is more technology in a teleprompter. Sheesh.

[Fresh Wind]

Barack Obama was standing on a riser inside a warehouse here, delivering an inspirational speech about the blessings of freedom, when his left index finger began to twitch uncontrollably, unnerving his aides.

Yes, Obama does seem to have a problem with his fingers.

[svcw]

I wonder how anyone could tell the difference.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

“How will we see the difference...”

‘Zactly what I was thinking.

[Bean Counter]

We're kind of there already....although not the way many expected...

[massgopguy]

How many times a minute does its head go back and forth? It’s got to be at least twenty for it to be lifelike.

[BibChr]

Well, his style of delivery is already perfect.