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."

[Polybius]

I’ll see your “Hell, I miss Bill Clinton” and raise you “Hell, I miss Jimmy Carter.” .... matt1234

In 1976, I was commissioned a U.S. Naval officer and, after four humiliating years, I could not wait to vote against Jimmy Carter.

You have gone too far, Sir!

You're application for membership in the "Hell, I miss Bill Clinton” Club is hereby denied. Your application may be reconsidered by the Club once you have disinfected your keyboard and gotten down and given us fifty.

I actually began really feeling that a couple days ago. Do we get cigars or what? ...... don-o

Yes, cigars will be in order for all Club meetings as long as they have never been put inside of a ..... ummm .... "humidor".

[TomGuy]

because the president has facing exhaustion

All those recent WH parties, running late in to the night.

[TomGuy]

and the president's surprise at the sheer volume of business that crosses his desk.

When you go from 'community organizer' to leader of the free world, you should expect an uptick in workload.

'bama, it is your pay grade now.

[1010RD]

Right, once a gallon of milk costs $600,000 Stephanopoulos will be angry he can’t have his snap, crackle, and Pops.

Who is pops?

[alwaysconservative]

This man AND his administration are the biggest embarassment this country has ever suffered! Between the sheer stupidity of those cheap gifts to the British PM, this lame LAME “tiredness” excuse, Clinton’s “overcharged” gaffe, not to mention “the mouth” as our vice-presidential “voice”, I just want to crawl under the covers in abject embarassment!

These people are RANK AMATEURS!

[JrsyJack]

Come on guys...can't I just eat my waffle?

Who would have known that sound bite would describe the Obama presidency?

[1010RD]

I heard you can get him up with a limo, cocaine and...

[Kaslin]

That arrogant mealy-mouthed lying p o s proves every day that he is not qualified to lead this nation.

I am sick and tired of hearing, he's only been in so long. Give him a chance.

He should have listened to Joe Biden when he said during the primaries, that the presidency is not a on the job training position

[maica]

Obama’s slapdown will no doubt help the Conservative Party to regain control of England.

$$$$$

Sweet unintended consequences!

[luvie]

Yep! Whiny is as whiny does!

Wish he’d finished that waffle and gone on back home!

[maica]

More than likely Ms Pelosi will stage the coup. We already have the Maryland example of getting rid of a weak vp before removing the president.

Agnew
replaced by Ford who replaced
Nixon

[Spokane]

he’s GOING TO TOO MANY COCKTAIL PARTIES,

You got it.How's Obama going to accept the fabled "3:00am phone call" when he's been partying till the wee hours?

[Yaelle]

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.

< maniacal laughter >

[Kaslin]

Hell, I miss Bill Clinton!!!!!

I didn't like Clinton, but he was a lot better then this p o s.

As far as I am concerned the USA is currently without a president

[maica]

Ditto!

[Oztrich Boy]

This is nonsense. He likes being President, and it turns out he’s very good at it.

[adorno]

That would be Joe Biden's job, because everyone knows, you don't mess with Joe.

Yeah, but, Biden would probably just look to Obama's teleprompter to tell him what to do.

[Kaslin]

Yeah, can you imaging if 9/11 happened now with this arrogant mealy-mouthed lying scum ball in the White House? I shudder to think bout it

[madison10]

Ummm...not so much.

[madison10]

Maybe you SHOULD tag your sarcasm. It is barely detectable. ;)