Barack Obama 'too tired' to give proper welcome to Gordon Brown

The London Telegraph ^ | March 7, 2009 | Tim Shipman

[2ndDivisionVet]

Barack Obama's offhand approach to Gordon Brown's Washington visit last week came about because the president has facing exhaustion over America's economic crisis and is unable to focus on foreign affairs, the Sunday Telegraph has been told.

Sources close to the White House say Mr Obama and his staff have been "overwhelmed" by the economic meltdown and have voiced concerns that the new president is not getting enough rest.

British officials, meanwhile, admit that the White House and US State Department staff were utterly bemused by complaints that the Prime Minister should have been granted full-blown press conference and a formal dinner, as has been customary. They concede that Obama aides seemed unfamiliar with the expectations that surround a major visit by a British prime minister.

But Washington figures with access to Mr Obama's inner circle explained the slight by saying that those high up in the administration have had little time to deal with international matters, let alone the diplomatic niceties of the special relationship.

Allies of Mr Obama say his weary appearance in the Oval Office with Mr Brown illustrates the strain he is now under, and the president's surprise at the sheer volume of business that crosses his desk.

A well-connected Washington figure, who is close to members of Mr Obama's inner circle, expressed concern that Mr Obama had failed so far to "even fake an interest in foreign policy".

A British official conceded that the furore surrounding the apparent snub to Mr Brown had come as a shock to the White House. "I think it's right to say that their focus is elsewhere, on domestic affairs. A number of our US interlocutors said they couldn't quite understand the British concerns and didn't get what that was all about."

[Doohickey]

Well, this *is* his first job.

[Mr Rogers]

One of the reasons I pulled my money out of the stock market is this: What will happen to stocks, our economy and (of course) our way of life IF Russia forces our hand in Poland, or IF Iran fires a nuke at Iraq/Israel, or IF Pakistani extremist get hold of a nuke and use it in Kabul?

Say what you want about FDR, he worked the Great Depression & WW2 from a wheelchair. Obama can’t pull himself away from a mirror long enough to be polite to our closest ally!

[MGMSwordsman]

Yep, cut the little punk a break, this is the first real job Obama has ever had.

[steve8714]

Can’t he chew gum and read a teleprompter at the sane time?

[adorno]

A British official conceded that the furore surrounding the apparent snub to Mr Brown had come as a shock to the White House. "I think it's right to say that their focus is elsewhere, on domestic affairs. A number of our US interlocutors said they couldn't quite understand the British concerns and didn't get what that was all about."

Garbage!

If Obama and Michele weren't informed enough on the protocol for foreign dignitaries, then the staff should've been. It's not up to the president to set up the proceedings. That's what the white house staff is for.

All the president needs to do is to attend the functions and be in his best behavior and be diplomatic and sound intelligent. It is the "sound intelligent" part that Obama was afraid of. He would not have been able to get away with having a teleprompter telling him what to say and what to answer to the prime ministers questions.

[topfile]

my friggin’ 401K

101K...there ..fixed it.

[Mygirlsmom]

Obama Barbie: "Being President is HARD!!!"

[PapaBear3625]

They concede that Obama aides seemed unfamiliar with the expectations that surround a major visit by a British prime minister.

Fascinating. There was nobody in the White House protocol office or in the State Dept who had this knowledge? Or (more likely) nobody in the Obama administration cared enough to ask?

[frankiep]

That. Is. Awesome!

Hilarious!!!

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

For the first time in my 53 years, I'm embarrassed for America ;(

Friggin children representing themselves to our steadfast allies as adults.

But hells bells. What ever happened to all the bureaucratic protocol officers that should have known what the requirements were who don't even work for the administration but for the govt in general?

[xkaydet65]

I looked for John Semmens’ name as I was reading this.

[BIV]

I never managed a 7-Eleven either, but I bet it’s above zero’s pay grade. In fact, I bet it’s hard work to do it right. Much more difficult work than Obama has ever done or likely will ever do.
‘Cause he’s soooo tired and needs a nap. What a wuss.
This weariness excuse is alarming.
But, I guess o=0.
Let her highness michelle take the reins for a while.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

because he doesn’t have the MORAL FIBER and CHARACTER he will melt like butter in the sun

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

“Horse Hockey”

Right, Dallas.

1. Of all the lame excuses — tired? A chief executive is supposed to choose SHARP ADVISORS. He could be a walking zombie and still not goof up this badly if he put together a strong team.

2. A leader needs to focus, to know what needs his most urgent attention. Zero has been squandering his time all over the place. For example — healthcare? No, WEALTH-care, Mr. ‘president’. And he certainly parties a lot. So now he’s tired?

“Tired.” How many lefties are going to eat that dirt sandwich? That excuse might fly if he were running double shifts in a fast food joint.

[don-o]

You are late to the "Hell, I miss Bill Clinton" Club meeting. We're meeting at Post 145.

I actually began really feeling that a couple days ago. Do we get cigars or what? I'm buying the first round of Big Macs.

[Riley]

I would rather he walk off the job. Did anyone hear President Bush whine when he was President of the USA?

Bush had it a lot tougher, too. The Leftist media kept him under a microscope, 24x7x365. Obama has a lapdog media who will gladly cover up his messes for him.

[reformedliberal]

Ya know, I smoke, I am 66, I have a business that requires physical work, I do extra housework because my husband sees clients here at home 2x/week, I take his appointments and do client education, I cook every day and usually from scratch, I garden, keep the wood fire burning, do more laundry than most people due to DH’s work, spend the Fall drying, freezing and otherwise preparing food for winter and often have to make business decisions by myself within a few minutes. I am awake and moving and getting things done from 5am to 9pm. I go to sleep at 9:30 and start up all over the next day. DH does the same, cuts and stacks all our firewood, keeps the long driveway clear, does our roofing and other maintenance, hunts, butchers the game and finds time to build a new boat and go sailing. We haven't had the sort of vacation I love (5-star beach resort) in 4 years and given the state of our savings, won't ever again.

Don't blame the cigarettes. I can't vouch for the other stuff.

zerO is a wuss. He has major time management issues. He reminds me of a teenager. At his age, even smoking shouldn't be slowing him down.

[Syncro]

O   B   A   M    A

N     I    S     I      M

E    G    S    S     E

                   T     R

                   A     I

                   K     C

                   E     A

              

[My Favorite Headache]

You know W is sitting back in Crawford just smiling at this kind of stuff.

[MichiganConservative]

The One has no clothes. What a joke. Americans, you get what you deserve: a stupid pansy who thought being president meant he got to ride around in the most pimpin’ Caddy in the world.