Posted on 03/07/2009 12:16:38 PM PST by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Unbelievable. Of course the Obamas are never "too tired" for their Wednesday night White House shindigs (complete with $100/oz steaks, and top notch musicians), nor too tired to work out or take part in basketball game...
Thanks for posting this, as I have been curious about how he has been doing since he left office. The media has been quiet about him. God bless and keep him well.
And what's really scary is that Nancy Pelosi is next after him.
Photoshopped. :)
Surely you jest.
I like Merkel and Sarkozy and all, but call me when their countries do some heavy lifting in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Germans don’t even go out at night any more in Afghanistan, while the Brits had Prince Harry in close quarters fighting with the Taliban last year.
His handlers are finding that their golden boy isn't even up to the charade, and they're laying the excuse groundwork for his imminent collapse.... or worse.
And then Hillary
“He was already tired of DC a week after the inauguration and had to get away to Camp David” That is where he is now.
Prepare for Tuesday speech.
The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers.
It’s rumored that Billy Jeff enjoyed cocaine too. That was just the right wing besmirching his character though. /s
I was going to put Gordon Brown and some others on the other sofa. Wish I hadda’.
If Obama had prior executive experience, he wouldn't be so in over his head because he'd at least have a personal working framework built up from past jobs. Taking over would have simply been putting his executive leadership framework in place and hiring people to fill the roles he's accustomed to.-PJBut Obama doesn't have experience. I'll bet that even Sarah Palin has an executive leadership framework that she's accustomed to by now.
“The official dismissed any notion of the special relationship, saying: ‘There’s nothing special about Britain. You’re just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn’t expect special treatment.’”
Somebody contact Hilary - whoever we’ve got at the Court of St. James may need to borrow that stupid “reset” button soon.
ALL I CAN SAY IS OH MY GOD!!! This “just like 190 other countries” sent men to die in OUR WAR! Please Jesus help us get this man and his goons out of the White House. I make this an official prayer. I’m serious.
“The real views of many in Obama administration were laid bare by a State Department official involved in planning the Brown visit, who reacted with fury when questioned by The Sunday Telegraph about why the event was so low-key.
The official dismissed any notion of the special relationship, saying: “There’s nothing special about Britain. You’re just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn’t expect special treatment.” The apparent lack of attention to detail by the Obama administration is indicative of what many believe to be Mr Obama’s determination to do too much too quickly.”
>This whole episode begs a large question:
>If they can so badly botch the visit of a PM, what else are they botching?
Hmmm, taxes, budgeting, governmental “responsibility”, Tri-care for veterans (merged with medicare), the energy industry, the economy, small business, need I continue?
>What else are they screwing up real bad, but no one has noticed quite yet?
I think its more or less being kept quiet... but, then again, I’ve a more cynical view of the government now.
>Can you imagine what a fiasco we’ll be in six months from now?
...Civil War II, if we’re lucky.
Cry me a river Bambi! The job description is well defined (Constitution) and the strain is part of your “pay grade”. Perhaps the sleepless nights have been induced by a guilty conscience?
Very clever!
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