Obama Traces His Love of Basketball to an Xmas Gift from his Absent Father

ABC News Blogs ^ | December 13, 2009 | Jake Tapper

[Oldeconomybuyer]

One of the most significant Christmas presents President Obama ever received was a basketball from the father who was largely absent from his life, the president told Oprah Winfrey.

This and other Xmas revelations are part of "Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special," set to air Sunday night on ABC at 10 p.m. ET.

Asked his favorite Christmas gift as a child, the president recalled a 10 speed bike and then said, "I do remember the one time I met my father he was visiting during Christmas and he gave me a basketball and - the degree to which I came to love basketball - it wasn't until much later in life that I realized, ‘Actually, he gave me that basketball.' I think there was some cause and effect there in terms of the degree to which I just ended up taking up the sport as a kid who didn't know his dad."

The First Lady's favorite childhood gift was "a metal doll house with plastic furniture ... I remember I really didn't know how to set up a house so I had all the furniture lined up along the walls as opposed to nestled around the fireplace, but I loved that little doll house."

Pressed by Winfrey, the First Lady said she had an Easy Bake Oven "but you know once you run out of the mix it's like you're done with it."

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[sodpoodle]

I love a good Christmas story - one that reflects on the true meaning of Christmas.

[paristwelve]

Remind me, will you? What the hell is Xmas?

[NautiNurse]

I think there was some cause and effect there in terms of the degree to which I just ended up taking up the sport as a kid who didn't know his dad."

This quote is good for another $500 billion taxpayer funds to promote midnight basketball. Just sayin'.

[AppyPappy]

ABSENT? He had multiples wives when he married Barack’s mom

[parisa]

He of course won’t admit that he picked up a lot more than a basketball from the absent yet idolized father.

[nmh]

Yes, to Obama it’s all about MATERIAL THINGS and COLOR.

Obama liked the gift and the idea that most basketball players are black.

Obama just doesn’t get it.

[Leo Carpathian]

Pretender Kenyan Barak Hussein Obama farted, hm, hm, hm - Hallellujjjaaaa!

[nmh]

Yes, Obama’s daddy was little more than a sperm donor. Polygamy was his game. Even Obama is shocked at all his half brothers and sisters.

[Joe Boucher]

I’ve heard his old man was a woman abuser. Did this punk pick that up from dad too?
I doubt it, that big ass woman of his can surely kick his scrawny ass.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

One of the most significant Christmas presents President Obama ever received was a basketball from the father who was largely absent from his life, the president told Oprah Winfrey.

Absent fathers often do more to shape their sons lives than the mothers who are there for them. They idealize those absent fathers, see great things in them that aren't there, and ignore evidence of any negative qualities. Obama seems to be a case in point.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

What the hell is Xmas?

It's how Secularists cross out Christ.. with an X. Sad how we used to fall for it being a cute shortcut.

[JRios1968]

One of the most significant Christmas presents President Obama ever received was a basketball from the father who was largely absent from his life...

So, his father was no better than Dr J.

[bgill]

"Here's the general rule, I give nicer stuff than I get," he said.

Words fail....

[LostInBayport]

Pressed by Winfrey, the First Lady said she had an Easy Bake Oven "but you know once you run out of the mix it's like you're done with it."

I fear her husband has the same attitude toward our national currency and our economy.

[BenLurkin]

That basse’ball was like a basse’ball to him.

[onedoug]

Well it’s clear he never played baseball.

[P-Marlowe]

XMAS. What is that? Malcolm X’s birthday?

[BenLurkin]

Oh...Obama’s mama was always in the giving spirit around Christmas time.

Here she is under the tree: [Warning GRAPHIC — NOT work Friendly and somewhat disgusting] http://www.thepeoplescube.com/images/Obama_Mom_AnnDunham_naked.jpg

[lack-of-trust]

I thought the Obamas didn’t give Christmas (or birthday) gifts???

was I missinfomred?