Great news: Obama fumbled Brown visit because he’s in over his head (The Messiah)

Hot Air ^ | March 7, 2009 | Ed Morrissey

[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.

[April Lexington]

That's what is so mind blowing about this story. The US State Dept. has been around since April 19, 1775! They don't make these kinds of mistakes. And, for as much as I'd like to.... I can't blame Hillery. She knows better and she lived it for 8 years. The Clintoons were never short on pomp & circumstance!

[April Lexington]

“surprised at the amount of business that crosses his desk”.

The left has underestimated George Bush and his capacity to manage. Whining crybabies, all of them. Look what they've done to the banks! Rubin was at Citi when the thing collapsed.

[Soul Seeker]

And I thought he was going to make the rest of the world love us again?

[Pearls Before Swine]

If it was a Thursday, he’s hung over from the Wednesday night glamor-bashes they’ve been having at the White House. Has anyone noticed the contrast between Michelle the angry populist woman of the campaign and post-election Queen Michelle of the 10,000 dollar dresses?

[FrankR]

"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. "

Well, who gives a flying f---? He bought and cheated his way to the White House, now let him flounder. The old car ad, "You asked for it, You got it!" comes to mind.

CommieBama is out of his league. He is a dreamer, who thought being the President would be right up there with being a rock star...you don't have to do nuthin' man...they just wait on you hand and foot, and cater to your every whim...".

Being the President is a job...a very BIG job. It takes a special person to pull it off. You have to campaign for the job for almost two years; after, and if, you win, you spend two years learning the job, and the next two years campaigning to get re-elected to the job.

Bearing all that in mind, you really don't have time to actually "do" the job. I think the Presidency should be changed to one, and one only, 6-year term. At least we'd get a good four years of work out of him/her.

CommieBama is going to explode, or melt down. This pressure is too much for an egomaniac to handle. This no-experience empty suit is used to shuck 'n' jive, and getting applause. Why do you think he's stuck in permanent campaign mode...I'll tell you: In permanent campaign mode HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WORK!!!!!

Sounds familiar somehow, not equal, but familiar.

We're never going to get our money's worth from this president. For one thing, he's going to spend all our money for the next 4 generations, and the other thing is, he's all fluff - symbolism over substance.

I thought clinton was a laughing stock for a president, but commiebama is the Saturday morning cartoons.

He and his cabinet of also rans must be smoking dope and throwing down bets on who can come up with the stupidest ideas for the economy and the nation.

So far all I have seen is pomp and circumstance laced with telepromoter speeches and cliches. Come on commiebama, we expect more from you than that; if you're not up for the presidency, try Viagra.

[tina07]

[yield 2 the right]

A pack of Peeps has more substances than these two Leftists combined...Conservative Peeps unite!!!

[yield 2 the right]

Stolen!!!

[John123]

He was a Constitutional law “lecturer”

FAIL!

[woofie]

Maybe Sarah can help you Barry

[mason-dixon]

It takes a Village & now we have an IDIOT running it! Mason Dixon

[Salvation]

Obama just thinks he is a messiah.

There is only one and only Messiah and that is Jesus Christ. Headlines like yours are offensive to me and to Christians.

Please don’t do it anymore.

Believe me, if I were to meet Rush, I would tell him the same thing.

[ync1994]

I’m sure the drive-by’s will not cover this. And I am sure the idiots who voted for Obama do not know what is going on. They only know what our drive-by media feed them == a bunch of lies.

[LikeLight]

0-vercharge. Get used to it.

[brewcrew]

On Nov. 9, 2008, Valerie Jarret, spokesperson for the Obama transition team, told Tom Brokaw that "given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one."

[TomGuy]

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”. …

When one's interest and experience has been as a 'community organizer', one tends to have little experience with foreign affairs.

Even Gov. Palin had more 'foreign relations' experience than Obama, but the vetting press didn't seem that interested in revealing how little experience, beyond organizing communities, that Obama really had.

[John123]

And I thought he was going to make the rest of the world love us again?

I wonder if the Europeans would like to change their vote for Obama?

[Lysandru]

Wasn't the election of the Messiah supposed to vastly improve our relations with our allies?

Obama voters are such putzes.

[Salvation]

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2009/03/07/obamas-british-gift-gaffe-not-reported-u-s-media

**So, what did President Obama give the British PM? 25 movies on DVD. Yeah, that’s it. Brown gives a symbolic gift like the pen holder fashioned from a famous British warship and Obama responds by sending a staffer to WalMart to pick up a few quick movies.

How thoughtful. Or not.

And I’m not the only one to scoff at this thoughtless gift. The entire British press is up in arms. Many in Britain are seeing this as entirely gauche and indicative of the low esteem in which the Obama’s hold England.**

[Spokane]

How’s Obama going to accept the fabled “3:00am phone call” when he’s been partying till the wee hours?