Posted on 09/28/2009 6:28:53 PM PDT by Saije
Most world leaders try to avoid repeating gaffes. Not Silvio Berlusconi. The Italian Prime Minister has called President Obama “tanned” again — but this time he did not miss the opportunity to joke about the First Lady’s skin colour as well.
After his return from the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, Mr Berlusconi told a rally of conservative supporters that he was bringing greetings from someone in the United States.
“What’s his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama,” he said. He then added: “You won’t believe it, but the two of them sunbathe together, because the wife is also tanned.”
This is not the first time Mr Berlusconi has made reference to the US president’s race. Soon after Mr Obama won the election in November 2008, and became America’s first black president, Mr Berlusconi raised eyebrows by saying the victor was “young, handsome, and even has a good tan”.
Mr Berlusconi’s latest comments followed a seemingly tense greeting from the Obamas, who hosted the Pittsburgh G20 summit last week.
As he approached the President and his wife, the Italian media tycoon threw his arms in the air, in what could have either been a gesture of admiration, or an invitation for an embrace from Michelle.
Instead, Mrs Obama offered him only a formal handshake — while her husband looked on, severely. She did not appear to want to go too close to Mr Berlusconi, who has been plagued by revelations about his private life over the past six months, including an allegation that he spent the night of the US presidential election in bed with a prostitute.
Mrs Obama’s formal greeting was in marked contrast to the apparent warm welcome received by other world leaders. She exchanged hugs and kisses with the Sarkozys, the Medvedevs, Angela Merkel and the Browns.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
These comments of Berlusconi seem unnecessary.
“These comments of Berlusconi seem unnecessary.”
Well he’s a bit of a buffoon isn’t he? But I doubt he’s meaning to give offense. He seems like a Ted Baxter sort of character (the newscaster on the old Mary Tyler Moore show).
Since you are none of these, you get the cold shoulder and severe look reserved for the Isreali and British leaders.
at least he didnt call him a Melanzana (NY pigeon Italian pronounced Moo Lan Yan), or a tootzone...
or invite barry and esther for eggplant dinner or something.
I’ve liked Burlesconi in the past... but that’s just a strange thing to say. Then again, I remember plenty of times when something seemed really funny when I was thinking it, but once I said it... somehow it just didn’t work. Hmmm... happens all the time, actually... :-)
Testa di cazzo ...whatsa matta fu yoo
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