Thursday, March 05, 2009

Yeah, the Brits Aren’t Happy With Obama Right Now

Britain is arguably our most important ally.  This is not how we should treat them.

He had put clearly great thought into giving the U.S. President lavish gifts to signify Britain’s ‘special relationship’ with the U.S.

During his historic trip to Washington, Gordon Brown gave Barack Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet - once called HMS President.

The unique present delighted Mr Obama because oak from the Gannet’s sister ship, HMS Resolute, was carved to make a desk that already takes place in the Oval Office in the White House, after being presented by Britain to the US in 1880.

Marking the special relationship: The Browns put a lot of thought into their gifts for the Obamas - but the gesture did not seem to be reciprocated
The Prime Minister went to the trouble of hunting down the perfect gift after becoming the first European leader invited to the White House by the new Commander In Chief.

So it would be perfectly understandable if Mr Brown felt a little underwhelmed at the official gift he received in return.

For despite being leader of the world’s most bountiful nation, President Obama handed over nothing more thought-provoking than 25 classic American films on DVD.

It was the equivalent of receiving a pair of socks from an unfamiliar aunt at Christmas - and a less-than-glowing affirmation of the UK-US bond.

Mrs Brown has been praised for her well-chosen gifts for the Obama children - but Mrs Obama’s gift to the Brown children appeared less thoughtful
Despite being a ‘special collector’s box set’, any film buff could have picked up the movies from their local video store for just £250.

It is not clear what the Prime Minister - not believed to a great fan of cinema - thought about receiving the films.

Downing Street yesterday THURS refused even to state which movies were in the box set - perhaps a reflection of their embarrassment that the gift was less generous than the ones taken to Washington by the Prime Minister.

[...]

Mr Brown also took to Washington a framed commission for HMS Resolute, a vessel that came to mark Anglo-US peace when it was saved from ice packs by Americans and given to Queen Victoria.

He also gave a first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.

Mr Brown and his wife also showered gifts on the Obama children giving Sasha and Malia an outfit each from Topshop and six children’s books by British authors which are shortly to be published in America.

In return, the Obamas gave the Browns two models of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to take home to sons Fraser and John.

Hat tip Rachel Lucas.

(6) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1734 hrs
Foreign Affairs + Politics + Politics - General

  1. Prior coverage indicated that the “small-talk” was difficult for Obama - guess a tow-way conversation can’t be put on a teleprompter ahead of time.

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19663.html

    President Barack Obama doesn’t go anywhere without his TelePrompter.
    .....................................................
    Obama’s reliance on the teleprompter is unusual — not only because he is famous for his oratory, but because no other president has used one so consistently and at so many events, large and small.
    .............................................................
    Just how much of a crutch the teleprompter has become for Obama was on sharp display during his latest commerce secretary announcement. The president spoke from a teleprompter in the ornate Indian Treaty Room for a few minutes. Then Gov. Gary Locke stepped to the podium and pulled out a piece of paper for reference.
    ............................................................................
    Obama has relied on a teleprompter through even the shortest announcements and when repeating the same lines on his economic stimulus plan that he’s been saying for months — whereas past presidents have mostly worked off of notes on the podium except during major speeches, such as the State of the Union.

    Again, OMG

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2009 at 1748 hrs


  2. I think you need to find a bag over the head emoticon—we’re going to need it.

    What an embarassment.  angry

    Posted by hsgbdmama on March 05, 2009 at 1911 hrs


  3. Can it now be said that Obama is the worst president ever.  He just doesn’t have a clue and nor do his advisors.  One would think that Hillary, who know a thing or two about presidential gifts would have set him straight.  Then again, maybe is sabotaging Obama to make him look like a fool.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2009 at 2010 hrs


  4. Pearls before swine.

    Posted by phel on March 05, 2009 at 2226 hrs


  5. Brits are nthing but a bitching lot. They should be grateful for what soever Obama and Michele thought worthy.Time of fools and their lapdogs (Bush/Blair) is gone. No double talks and British deception will work with Obama.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 06, 2009 at 2112 hrs


  6. I would like to say We are sorry for the Rudeness shown to Great Britain .By our President and his family as well as everyone in the white house that day!

    By we I mean My family and a few others here in the back wood’s of MO. Some call us redneck’s but were just country people.
    Who really don’t care for the way our Government is being run.
    And damn sure don’t like their manners !!

    (Just a note from a redneck)

    Posted by Daniel D on March 11, 2009 at 0413 hrs


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