TOTUS (Teleprompter Of The United States)

U.S. President Barack Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009 and became known for reading his speeches off of a teleprompter. The nickname “TOTUS” (Teleprompter Of The United States) came into use by March 18, 2009 with Barack Obama’s Teleprompter’s Blog (“Because There Is No POTUS Without TOTUS”).
 
Similar acronyms include “POTUS” (President Of The United States), “PEOTUS” (President-Elect Of The United States), “SCOTUS” (Supreme Court Of The United States), “FLOTUS” (First Lady Of The United States), “VPOTUS” (Vice President Of The United States) and “COTUS” (Constitution Of The United States), “COTUS” (Cat Of The United States) and “DOTUS” (Dog Of The United States).
     
 
Wikipedia: Teleprompter
An autocue (also known as an teleprompter or telescript) is a display device that prompts the person speaking with an electronic visual text of a speech or script. Using a teleprompter is similar to the practice of using cue cards. The screen is in front of and usually below the camera lens of a professional video camera, and the words on the screen are reflected to the eyes of the presenter using a sheet of clear glass or specially prepared beam splitter. Light from the performer passes through the front side of the glass into the lens, while a shroud surrounding the lens and the back side of the glass prevents unwanted light from reflecting into the lens.

As the speaker does not need to look down to consult written notes, he or she appears to have memorized the speech or be speaking spontaneously, and will look directly into the camera lens. Cue cards, on the other hand, will always be placed away from the lens axis, making the speaker look at a point beside the camera, which leaves an impression of distraction.
 
Barack Obama’s Teleprompter’s Blog
Because There Is No POTUS Without TOTUS
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
It’s Time
Well, last night didn’t go well. What can I say? I was tired. By the time Barack and the Irish PM stood up, the President and I had already done two major policy speeches, three nomination announcements, and light dinner banter for a table of twelve. And by the way, that “ad lib” last night about Guinness? Mine.
     
Wizbang
The TOTUS Blog
Posted by Kim Priestap
Published: March 19, 2009 - 12:24 PM
Barack Obama’s teleprompter has its own blog. And it has a Twitter page, too, in case you want to follow him. Both Drudge and Rush just picked up the blog, so expect it to go down soon
 
Michelle Malkin
Fun with TOTUS (Teleprompter of the United States)
By Michelle Malkin •  March 23, 2009 01:58 PM
The Teleprompter of the United States has its own seal!
Hey, why not? TOTUS has its own blog and its own Twitter accounts. Brand it, own it, behold it (thanks to David A Stein):
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark TOTUS T.O.T.U.S. TELEPROMPTER OF THE UNITED STATES
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Bumper stickers; Cards, namely, greeting cards, business cards; Drawing pads; Memo pads; Note pads; Scratch pads; Sticker albums; Stickers; Stickers; Stickers and decalcomanias; Stickers and sticker albums; Stickers and transfers; Writing pads; Writing paper pads
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 77696315
Filing Date March 21, 2009
Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition July 21, 2009
Owner (APPLICANT) Shishmanian, Leo P. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 3210 E. Chinden Blvd., #115-113 Eagle IDAHO 83616
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date May 17, 2010
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark TOTUS
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: T-shirts
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 07.13.03 - Advertising, signs, mounted or with posts or standards; Street signs (mounted on posts)
26.11.10 - Rectangles divided once into two sections
26.11.21 - Rectangles that are completely or partially shaded
Serial Number 77710515
Filing Date April 9, 2009
Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) McFadden, Edward INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 520 North Washington Street Alexandria VIRGINIA 22314
(APPLICANT) Corallo, Mark INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 520 North Washington Street Alexandria VIRGINIA 22314
Description of Mark Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of the stylized word “Totus”. Above the stylized word is an image of a teleprompter. The stippling is for shading purposes only.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date January 5, 2010