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.

Woah woah woah. Obama just used the term "Jedi Mind Meld." What? Are Jedi Vulcan now? Not okay, Mr. President. Not okay.—
Timothy Upper (@timothyupper) March 01, 2013

POTUS offended Star Wars/Trek nerds everywhere with "Jedi Mind Meld" comment. It's Jedi Mind Trick OR Vulcan Mind Meld, not both.—
laura leclair (@LLruns) March 01, 2013

#nerdpoint, @lynnsweet! It is indeed Jedi mind trick (Wars) or Vulcan mind meld (Trek). Capt. Picard explains: http://t.co/q37vkemTpx—
Emily Miller (@emmillerwrites) March 01, 2013

The Internet being what it is, a new meme was born:

"Spock, I Am Your Father" #jedimindmeld @starwars @GeorgeTakei @TheRealNimoy—
Joe Cesare (@OneSixtyToOne) March 01, 2013

"I always have been, and always shall be, your father." #JediMindMeld—
  (@LabSplice) March 01, 2013

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:

We must bring balance to the Force. #Sequester #JediMindMeld http://t.co/lIZlgavhuR—
The White House (@whitehouse) March 01, 2013

Entering “http://wh.gov/jedimindmeld” in a web browser will take users to the president’s plan on the sequester.