Posted on 02/02/2013 1:52:56 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Barack Obama recently told the New Republic that he understands the concerns of gun owners, because “in fact, up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time.” As critics chortled over both the notion that skeet shooting is what concerns gun owners and the idea that Obama shoots clay pigeons “all the time,” the White House has finally released a photo to back up its claim … and only one photo, dated August 12, 2012:
That led to a barrage of questions from journalists about whether the White House could offer proof that the president had gone shooting. It also led a Republican congresswoman to issue a challenge for a shoot-off. The White House has not responded to the challenge, but it has now uploaded this image[.]
And here it is:
Fox News reported earlier this week that there’s not likely to be more photos:
News of President Obama’s apparently long-secret fondness for skeet shooting came as a surprise to those who say they have witnessed the president’s “awkward” attempts at pinging the (clay) pigeons.
This has only happened with the president at Camp David, at most, a couple of times, according to a source who says he has been to the retreat on a half-dozen visits with Obama.
“The only time he shot skeet was for President’s Cup,” said the source, referring to a shooting competition tradition involving the presidential Marine guards. “I was there. He stayed for about five minutes, and couldn’t leave fast enough.”
Skeet shooting “is very hard,” said the source. “Especially for someone not used to guns … He couldn’t have been more uncomfortable.”
The source said a friend of his recalled Obama skeet shooting one other time at Camp David — very early on in his first term.
That didn’t stop Obama’s advisers from bragging about the photo this morning, though, and sneering at “skeeters” (via Twitchy and Weekly Standard):
For all the “skeeters”: POTUS shoots clay targets on the range at Camp David on Aug. 4, 2012. bit.ly/WlDMYG
— Dan Pfeiffer (@pfeiffer44) February 2, 2013
Attn skeet birthers. Make our day – let the photoshop conspiracies begin! m.flickr.com/photos/whiteho
— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) February 2, 2013
I’ve done plenty of target shooting, but I’ve never gone skeet shooting. Nor is that the reason why most gun owners want their rights respected. The publication of the photo, and especially the defensive attitude of Obama’s advisers, speaks volumes about their insecurity on the gun-rights issue.
But this certainly makes for a great weekend Caption Contest. Have at it in the comments!
A few thoughts on this from a trapshooter
No vest, shell or Hull bag, there are 5 stations w/ 2 shots per station. (reloads)
He’s firing the gun at a low angle, His stance is wrong for skeet ,, hes shooting it like a rifle, not a shot gun and there are no skeet houses in the photo.
The lower barrel has no choke or flush tube (odd)
Porting on one side ?
FORM 4473 Are you an unlawful user of marijuana, can we see it?
Once again, Mattel Toy Company Lives! We present to the children of the USSA, the Obama Bang-Bang! Yes, kids, this toy gun can shoot as many Greenie Stick’em Caps, as President Obama says, “Uh!”
Yes, you too, boys and girls, can own this fine piece of Mattel workmanship!
It has a wood stock. It is colored gunmetal blue. It has a ported barrel, to allow the smoke of the Greenie Stick’em Caps to look like a real ported shotgun. And for safety, it has a yellow plastic tip at the end of the barrel! No, moms and dads, this is NOT a real shotgun.
Yes, get it now, at your favorite toy store!
“THE OBAMA BANG-BANG!”
(parents’ permission slip required)
Obama looks as silly as Dukakis in that tank.
Gay-Bama - He's A Natural Born Bad Ass
Ironically, his stance is so close to 90 degrees that he can only make shots to left from that stance and none to the right. ;-)
Cute. I love South Park. However, I have no desire to be an admin. Cheers. :)
Why was he wearing sunglasses rather than protective eye wear?
Wouldn’t sunglasses make it more difficult to see the skeet?
I see they had to give her a shotgun with a ported barrel to hold down the recoil.
Could this administration be any more full of A-holes?
Looking at the sat pix of the Camp David skeet range, I’d guess he’s shooting at something from the #6 station on the skeet range. Or from the #5 position for trap although I don’t see a pad for that in the Sat pix. He’s using a Browning CItori XS and only looks to have one choke in it. Perhaps a flush on the bottom?
His eye lines up in a straight line w/ the front bead. BTW, in Skeet there are 8 stations, 4 have 4 shots, the rest have two shots each with the spare as an option on first miss. Maybe he has a lackey carrying/loading removing spent hulls for him?
Observations:
choke only in top barrel?
he doesn’t have any more shells? does the ss load for him?
he is firing at a very low angle. Aren’t the clays release high from the houses?
Its got the wrong fore end and rib to be an XS. I think it’s a Citori Lightning Sporting Clays. That has the slimmer profile lightning field type fore end and low rib. If we could see the bottom of the grip that would confirm, because the Lightning has a round knob.
I don’t ever remember that much ‘smoke’....
It would seem that the angle of the horizontal plane of the shotgun should be at least at a 30 to 45 degree angle to bring down a clay pigeon. The weapon that high on the shoulder is not correct and the cheek on the stock would definitely be a little painful. Also the trigger finger is a little confusing as it looks like it is placed on the trigger guard,
it may have slipped off but normally when a weapon is fired the trigger finger is still on the trigger the trigger is visable. I would also advise some shooters glasses for the shooter as it looks like a cloudy day already.
The message of the pic suggests the Pres has his gun and will retain it even though he has asked the Voter to give theirs up! Gotta give to the boys always making the Pres look hip! I wonder if he’s worked on that curve ball!lol
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/04/us-usa-obama-birthday-idUSBRE8730F820120804
August 4, 2012 Obama played golf in the morning. Left for Camp David in the afternoon.
I believe skeet is an endangered species. Some say they taste like.....chicken.
"Sire! The pisants do complain - no jobs have they, so money to buy bread they have nought.""Let 'em eat Skeet."
Well, if the 237th Guards Armored Skeet Division attacks us, we know who we can call on. I’m going to sleep better tonight just knowing that.
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