Posted on 03/07/2009 2:06:46 PM PST by GOPGuide
After insulting Gordon Brown during the British prime minister’s visit this week by ignoring protocol and cheaping out on the traditional gift exchange, the UK media has erupted in outrage.
The Obama White House has now started to recognize the firestorm the new President created with our closest ally, and wants to assure the Brits that he meant no disrespect. Instead, Obama apparently wants to assure them that he’s simply in over his head and floundering (via Radio Equalizer):
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. …
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”. …
The American source said: “Obama is overwhelmed. There is a zero sum tension between his ability to attend to the economic issues and his ability to be a proactive sculptor of the national security agenda.
“That was the gamble these guys made at the front end of this presidency and I think they’re finding it a hard thing to do everything.”
I’m not sure which is worse. At least if he meant to snub Brown, it would suggest a certain competence at this brand of diplomacy. Instead, we’re told that the Obama White House and their staff are just a bunch of incompetents who got in over their heads. Which is, of course, the point we made continuously over the last two years.
Obama is totally inexperienced for the job of President of the United States. Heck, if he were a Republican, I wouldn’t want him in office, because of his total lack of experience...
that plus giving russia a big red “overcharge” button.
we actually have a kookocracy.
America, are you listening....
Has he ever had a job in the private sector?
Sure he has.
He was a Constitutional law “lecturer” and before that, a community organizer.
Why? Isn't he what they wanted? Nothing would do but the U.S. had to elect 0. Now they have him and they're outraged? WTF!
Zero is too tired from staying up all night with a string of celebrity guests.
I'll bet there are folks in other parts of the world who understand this and who are planning to take advantage of the competency gap. Better stock up on provisions!
Well, it appears to be all political stuff. Maybe he was a paper boy at one time..., who knows...
Gee. I thought this was going to be like a community organizer with perks.
What’s that old saying?
Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity?
How can America listen? This isn't being covered by CNNABCNBCCBSNYTWT, et. al... Only us right wing kooks get to know the truth because we still care...
Its probably just the Kobe beef!
Oh. My. God. We are screwed.
Did you catch the part where it say Obama is “surprised at the amount of business that crosses his desk”. Oh my God.
“your mood is like a circus wheel
you’re CHANGE-in’ all the time
sometimes i can’t help but feel
that i’m wastin’ all of my time....
i’m over my head
but it sure feels nice
i’m over my head
but it sure feels nice”
Meanwhile his handpicked (or nosepicked) SoS, the smartestwomanintheworld, with 8 years experience in the White House fighting fires, cannot find an underling fluent in Russian.
WASS.
Of course, that's the case with most in academia.
This makes it sound like the guy who occupies the oval office personally goes out and picks out a gift. Clinton didn’t even do that for Monica, did he?
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