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

Telegraph.Co,UK ^ | 10:03PM GMT 07 Mar 2009 | Tim Shipman in Washington

[TexasCajun]

Barack Obama's offhand approach to Gordon Brown's Washington visit last week came about because the president was 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".

[Utah Girl]

Gordon Brown and his wife obviously took the time to get gifts for Obama and his family.

Too bad Obama’s staff isn’t on the ball. DVDs? Probably came in a basket with a few bags of microwave popcorn. Marine One helicopters? Must have been straight from the White House gift shop.

And then there is Hillary!. No one on her staff speaks Russian? Or knows someone who could have translated that stupid gag gift better?

I didn’t think it would be this bad, but one month into this so-called presidency, this is BAD.

[Thumper1960]

0bama was hitting the bong with Michelle a little too much?

[prairiebreeze]

snip.....Matters are not helped by the pledge to give up smoking.

"People say he looks tired more often than they're used to," the strategist said. "He's still calm, but there have been flashes of irritation when he thinks he's being pushed to make a decision sooner than he wants to make it. He looks like he needs a cigarette."

BWAHAHAHAAAAAAA!! Obama isn't going to quit smoking. In the meantime that is what will be blamed for his upcoming angry outbursts.

[cyn]

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

uh-huh bump as we continue into devastation. (did the dog eat the homework as well?)