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
Talarico says electability is key in the Democratic primary against Crockett for Texas Senate
Your boss could be watching: Why California lawmakers killed a workplace surveillance bill
Sen. Ted Cruz hopeful for free, fair elections in Venezuela after U.S. captures Maduro
Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter to face criminal trial for child molestation
On MLK Day, Georgia leaders call for action to honor King's vision of justice
West Side residents say apartments making them sick, no city response
53-year-old man and pet dog killed in East Los Angeles house fire
Fire crews rescue woman from house fire on Detroit's west side