The Obamas are narcissistic? You don’t say!
Posted on March 5, 2009
So, as we all know, Gordon Brown came to visit with Barack Obama. He, of course, brought his wife and two children: two boys named Fraser and John. And it doesn’t seem like President Obama is making a great first impression on Prime Minister Brown.
First, Obama cancelled the press conference with Brown… because of snow.
No sooner had the Prime Minister’s plane touched down at Andrews Air Force on Monday evening when word was passed to travelling Westminster correspondents that the press conference they’d been told to expect had been called off “because of snow”.
Hours earlier, at around 4pm EST on Monday, a British official had told me that there would be a “press conference” after the PM and President Barack Obama had met in the Oval Office and before they had their working lunch in the Old Family Dining Room. Exact timings, however, were vague.
By 8pm, the press conference – if there’d ever been one planned – was officially off. The White House press schedule stated: “There will be a pool spray of the meeting.” In layman’s language, that means a small collection of reporters and perhaps two or three quick questions. That means something very short and ample opportunity to dodge anything difficult.
… Brogan quotes one Number 10 apparatchik as saying: “We’re trying for something a bit more intimate but there won’t be flags and podiums. We were going to do one in the Rose Garden but with the weather. They will be together and they will take questions.”
Oddly enough, at White House press secretary Robert Gibbs’s 2pm briefing, he said that “I believe it’s going to be some questions in the Oval”. Although he added that “I don’t know the answer to all of the logistics”, it was pretty clear at that stage – within the White House at least – that there wasn’t going to be a press conference.
The notion that there would ever have been a press conference scheduled in the Rose Garden at the start of March is, of course, faintly ridiculous.
Mr Brown might be forgiven for thinking that his friend, rival and predecessor Tony Blair would not have been treated the same way by his bosom buddy President George W. Bush. After all, there are 132 rooms in the White House at least some of which, presumably, are currently free of snow.
On the other hand, President Obama is terribly busy this Tuesday. The White House schedule tells us that he is delivering remarks at the Department of Transportation to deliver remarks about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is also speaking at the Department of Interior to mark its 160th anniversary.
There’s a conflab with Pentagon chief Bob Gates. Oh, and Mr Obama will also meet “a delegation from the Boy Scouts of America and receive their 2008 Report to the Nation”. in the Oval Office.
Mr Brown might lament that despite the so-called “special relationship” Britain is now getting the same treatment as the President of Uruguay but he need not despair. I’m told there’s a chance he might get drinks with Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday evening.
Interesting that Obama cancelled on account of snow. Not too long ago, he was preaching to DC residents that they needed to suck it up and stop complaining about the snow so much. Meanwhile, he was cranking up the thermostat to near greenhouse temperatures. But then, when Prime Minister Gordon Brown comes to town, suddenly the snow is a hindrance.
What happened to that flinty Chicago toughness, President Obama?
Britain is one of our closest allies, and Obama couldn’t make it a priority to make sure that press conference happened? If for no other reason, it should have been a priority as a sign of respect. What’s truly scary is that this was not an unexpected visit… but the Obama administration couldn’t even coordinate this meeting with advanced notice. And as the blogger, Toby Harnden, noted, there were presumably 132 snow-free rooms inside the White House that could have been used.
If he can’t even be prepared for an expected visit from one of our closest allies, what will happen if he gets that 3am phone call everyone obsessed about during the campaign?
And don’t think it was just the President who showed poor class. The First Lady wasn’t a model of graciousness and charm, either. While Sarah Brown came to the White House armed with thoughtful gifts for the Obama children, Michelle Obama couldn’t be bothered to do more than send an aide down to the White House gift shop for the Brown boys.
Like all good guests, Sarah Brown arrived bearing gifts for the children, Malia and Sasha. And they were really nice presents. A bit of thought had clearly gone into choosing them: Top Shop dresses (with matching necklaces) and a selection of books by British authors. Lovely.
Mrs Brown may have two boys but she certainly knows the way to a little girl’s heart. These were gifts chosen in the true spirit of present-giving: to please the recipient, not the giver.
In return Mrs Obama gave the Brown children, Fraser and John, two toy models of Marine One, the Presidential helicopter. Fair enough on the helicopter part, always a popular choice with small boys; but Marine One? It’s not as though anyone needs reminding that Barack Obama is President or that he has his own helicopter. Short of giving the boys Action Man models of her own husband smiting the evil forces of neoconservatism, Mrs Obama’s gesture could not have been more solipsistic or more inherently dismissive of Mrs Brown.
Not only did she demonstrate that she spent approximately three seconds contemplating the needs of the Brown boys (having an aide pop to the White House gift shop for a piece of merchandising does not imply a great deal of thought), she appeared to show a most uncharacteristic lapse of judgment.
And yes, those Marine One playsets are sold in the White House gift shop. They’re a whopping $15. I somehow think that two dresses with matching necklaces along with a handful of books cost more than $30, and I certainly don’t think that Sarah Brown got them from the Downing Street gift shop. There was also only one White House photograph of the two of them meeting together, making me wonder if Michelle even bothered to spend any time with her guests beyond this one meeting.
Of course, I get we can somewhat commend Michelle. She didn’t cancel the meeting altogether for some bogus reason, and hey, at least she got them something, right? Even if the gifts were little models of thoughtless narcissism, it’s better than nothing, I guess.
The entire handling of the Prime Minister’s visit shows an unbelievably embarassing amount of narcissism and egotism from the White House, from both the President and the First Lady. Britain, one of our closest allies, was brushed aside as if they were some small, insignificant nation that we didn’t really need to pay attention to. The problem is not the gifts on their own — it’s the overall treatment of our closest ally since WWII that’s made Brits so furious. Rather than showing graciousness, the Obamas just brushed them aside. It seems to me that they’re buying into the hype a little too much. To them, they truly are the Messiah couple. And if they’re truly the Messiah couple, then the Browns should feel honored in their presence, rather than treated like an honored guest.
The Prime Minister of Britain and his family deserved better treatment than this. They should have been treated like the honored guests that they were. It just seems to serve as another example that of how clueless and inexperienced the Obamas are… while simultaneously thinking the world of themselves.
Hat Tip: Ace of Spades
Cross-posted from Cassy’s blog. Stop by for more commentary or follow her on Twitter!
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26 Responses to “The Obamas are narcissistic? You don’t say!”
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Uh in gleefully getting caught up in tearing down the Obamas, you succumbed to OUTRIGHT LYING. The Browns DID NOT BRING THEIR CHILDREN.
How do you know Mrs. Obama sent an aide down to buy it there? Do you have inside info on that? And was your vaulted Laura Bush being narcissistic also when she accepted a beautiful gift from Mrs. Obama at the Jan inauguration but had nothing for Mrs. Obama in the way of a gift?
I thought a gift was that-a gift. Something given without expecting something in return. I’m sure when the Obama’s arrive in London for the April G20 summit they will have beautiful gifts for them and the family. Calm down.
Michelle Obama hasn’t a clue how to behave in her new role as “lady.” She never spent time in Washington, D.C., when her husband was busy voting “present” during the week. Now she’s in over her head as much as he is.
How do you know Mrs. Obama sent an aide down to buy it there?
It helps if you actually read the linked articles rather than kneejerk Obama bootlicking —and in this case it’s blockquoted in front of you
Not only did she demonstrate that she spent approximately three seconds contemplating the needs of the Brown boys (having an aide pop to the White House gift shop for a piece of merchandising does not imply a great deal of thought), she appeared to show a most uncharacteristic lapse of judgment.
and yes, the Bush’s were so rude
The Bush daughters leave gift baskets in the White House bedrooms for the Obama daughters, containing flowers, candy, stuffed animals, DVD’s and CD’s, and heartfelt notes of encouragement and advice for the young girls on how to prepare for their new lives in the White House.
On thing, Obama is the drunken cowboy arrogant diplomacy holder we never had before…
Why is anyone surprised? These 2 are showing their true feelings about Britain. After all, isn’t GB the “Zionist nation” the “cause” of all the mess in the Middle East? They pushed for Israel’s creation, via the Balfour Declaration, and divided up the region after WWI. Besides, they supported Bush during the Afghanistan and Iraq war efforts. Pray we don’t need them should a domestic attack have roots in Britain….
I have yet to see the Obamas demonstrate anything that resembles respect for anyone.
“Uh in gleefully getting caught up in tearing down the Obamas, you succumbed to OUTRIGHT LYING. The Browns DID NOT BRING THEIR CHILDREN.”
Read carefully……
This story never claimed that the Brown’s brought their children, just that Mrs. Brown had gifts for the Obama daughters and that Mrs. Obama gave gifts for the Brown children…….
mmmccc-
that linked article provided no PROOF whatsoever or source confirming how Mrs. Obama bought the models. “Having an aid pop down to the White House….” is more a hypothetical than a statement of fact. The article doesn’t state they confirmed how it was purchased or WHERE. That’s called journalism, you know. But in yours and the person who wrote the article true journalism won’t serve your purpose of assuming the worse about the Obamas or tearing them down. The Obama’s have proven to be some of the most generous hosts in the White House in recent memory-inviting ALL people in, Rep and Dems etc. For dinner, for drinks they have been very gracious. Don’t always assume the worst from one disenchanted article writer, who obviously has an agenda-that of tearing Michelle and Barack down. Mr. Brown praised the Obamas for their friendship and hospitality at the speech he gave to Congress. Maybe you should consider his opinion-SINCE HE WAS THERE.
also…WHY DIDN’T YOU ADDRESS THE OUTRIGHT LIE THAT THE CHILDREN OF THE BROWN’S WERE THERE???
hmmmmmm
nano – once again –
The article mever claims the Brown children were present, or that the Obama children were present at the meeting of Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Obama. It only says that the two women had presents for each other’s children – no lies there.
MsJake-I’m talking about the person who wrote this inflammatory post-look at the beginning of the comments:
“So, as we all know, Gordon Brown came to visit with Barack Obama. He, of course, brought his wife and two children: two boys named Fraser and John. And it doesn’t seem like President Obama is making a great first impression on Prime Minister Brown.”
Now why do you suppose the person who posted this added that??? So that it would make it seem even worse-that there were the two little cute boys-and Ms. Obama STILL showed no interest in buying something personal for them???
OF COURSE THAT WAS THE PURPOSE. Do you think people like me, who try to get the true facts first before judging can’t read into this person’s biased agenda???
and you welcomed it. And never questioned the supposed facts presented here!!! Matter of fact if I hadn’t pointed it out you would have gone on assuming the boys were here!!!
Terrible. That’s not the way to get Obama. If you’re gonna go after him-don’t use trumped up charges and exaggerations! Use facts. This post has VERY few of them. No one knows what went on between the four of them except the four of them. I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Brown are looking forward to welcoming the Obamas for the 1st time to London at the Summit and this is not helping the relationship. They are in a get to know each other phase. Why don’t all of you people let in play out in it’s own time? Mr. Brown isn’t complaining, why are you? He would look real ungracious if he did-having been treated to a working lunch, a protocal welcome and having his wife be the first overseas visitor welcomed by Michelle to the East Wing for a chat. It may not be what he wanted but it’s pretty good, and more than ANY OTHER FOREIGN VISITOR SO FAR HAS RECEIVED. Let them become friends on their own terms-not YOURS.
via Ace of spades we get treated to more embarassing, tactless hosting by the megalo-messiah. Brown gives Obama thoughtful and dignified historic gifts and…
“So what did our Boy President Barry give the Brits? What vestige of Americana will Gordon Brown receive on behalf of the British people to commemorate Brown’s historic meeting with the American President?
I think I’d ask for the pen back. But that’s just me. The Brits, stiff upper lip and all, are much more guarded in their response.
Amateur hour – what an embarrassment the Obama’s are.
Did Mr. Brown come all those miles and buy those wonderful gifts just to get a gift in return from the Obamas that would satisfy all you people here WHO HATE THE OBAMAS?
I hope not, cause it would never happen.
NOTHING THEY DO WILL EVER PLEASE YOU HATERS.
nanobrain – By “generous”, you mean that the Magic Mulatto and wife have wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars on parties during a recession that the crackhead is working to turn into a depression
Nano-
You are just really mean. I say cruel. You are a huge liberal in your bias towards Mr Barry Hussein Obama. That is his correct name.He changed it only to become more African American. He is a fraud and a phony. Here are the facts:
1)He has yet to produce an original birth certificate-can’t even produce a copy. He can only produce a live birth document from a hospital ijn Hawaiii. First he said he was born in one hospital there and then another. The live birth document has been professionally analyzed and found to be a fraud. No one has been able to look at it since. It was put up on an Obama website(fro transparency reasons) and quickly taken down the same day. Oh you don’t like the truth. Liberals hate the truth. Please don’t put your response in capital letters-you might offend little me??? You are a ranting lunatic in your responses. See DR. Phill for help.
2)The writer above was correct. Gifts are gifts. Michelle(my belle) Obama bought a cheap last minute gift. Hey stupid is as stupid does. No No No you are not Forest Gump but remember this from the movie the 6th sense”I see stupid liberals everywhere”.
Add yourself to the list.
3) Why I do believe you used to have “Bush derangement syndrome and now have Obama Mania syndrome. Yes he can walk across water. The fact is you don’t know anything about him. You have no clue. You are a part of the problem. People like you-uneducated diabolical lunatics(liberalism is a mental disease) who may hate this country should have your own island. You and Obama are destroying my country and look around Nano-there are tea parties everywhere. The counrty is in shambles due to Obama. He is spending $7 trillion dollars of nothing but pork. Says there is no pork-lie after lie after lie. It is full of pork.
4)Maybe you should read more and stop getting your news from far left wing news places. maybe you should give all your money you ever make to Osama Obama. Oh did you know his father was a muslim? Did you know his father took him to many many mosques throughout Indonesia? Did you know he studied in Indonesia as a student? Did you know his father had 3 wives? Did you know the mother who raised him was white? Did you know he threw her under the bus? Did you know there are people who swear and claim Obama was born in Kenya? How did he get to go to school in Indonesia if he was not a citizen there? He was supposedly born in Hawaii but how could he go to school in Indonesia without being a dual citizen? Did you know this? Do you care? Do you care about your country? Hwe is being sued to produce his original birth certificate all over the place and fighting those lawsuits??!! Why not produce it? He can’t!! He is a fraud and a phony. His adninistration is a joke.
5) Why do liberal democrats moan and graon about taxes? They want us to give more than 50% to the government but then they don’t want to pay taxes themselves. How many in his administration cheated?? Oh I get it let’s see-change we can believe in right?? The change is to socialism and more cronies than ever. Oh it is cool baby you believe-you can just close your eyes and click your heals and it will all disappear.
6)Read about Tony Rezko, Jeremiah Wright, Rod Blagojevich and William Ayres. Ossama said that Saul Alinsky was a model for himself. He believes in everything he says. You should read his works. Maybe you have already.
7)Blagoyevich is ready to spill the beans. Obama is not finished. The pay to play scenario is ok to democrats. Ted Kennedy casn let an inocent girl die(chappaquidick river) and still be the geeatest democrat senator. Robert Byrd can be a former grand puba for the KKK and be another of the greatest democrat leadres.
It will be horrible as this unfolds. Obama will remain president so long as america lets him run us into a bottomless pit of desperation, doom, gloom and crisis crisis crisis. This is the doom and gloom media, doom and gloom democrat party, doom and gloom administration and doom and gloom president.
Thanks nano for taking this country into scialism-socialism has never worked in any country by the way.
Last note-Ossama Obama is what the drunken Ted Kennedy called him when he was all excited introducing him I quote he said”Obama Ossama” oh Obama Ossama” so don’t cap many letters as I am not racist.
Okay so now the President of the United States is a crackhead. I’m officially out of here. This blog has attracted the most venomous and hateful opposers of Mr. Obama with it’s biased agenda and untruths which it was meant to do.
So have at it haters.
To all the birth certificate theorists: how do you explain the fact that announcements of Obama’s birth appeared in BOTH of the major newspapers in Honolulu in August of 1961?
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/obamabirth.php
AndyS: I could submit a birth announcement to any paper in the nation and they will print it. The newspapers do not request a copy of the birth certificate or the hospital’s record of live birth to verify before printing.
As for the Obamas…maybe if they weren’t so busy partyin’ down with celebs they’d have the time and decency to honor our country’s long-standing friendship with Great Britain.
wineplz: The point is that the announcements were printed in August of 1961! Is it your view that the announcements were fraudulently inserted by his parents in 1961? That he was actually born in Kenya, but for some reason his parents rushed to Honolulu to put birth announcements in the papers there? All in order to allow him to become President almost 50 years later?
My parents are coming over dinner on Friday. I suppose I need to get them a gift?
Oh, hold it, the guest brings a gift to the host’s house, not the host. Surprisingly, it used to be common knowledge that hospitality was a gift. Polite people “exchange” consumer gifts only Christmas, dolts.
So, let’s add etiquette to economics, environmental policy, tax policy, foreign affairs, law, culture, and religion to the list of things the authors of this site are either unacquainted with or dead wrong about.
It must be terrible to be Cassy.
PS not as terrible as the racist guy who is Paul Nelson above, but at least he deserves props for finally getting internet in his trailer.
In 2 short months, the Mr. Teleprompter and his Marxist administration have already proven themselves to be THE WORST IN U.S. HISTORY on every level.
Being disrespectful to a great ally is the least of their sins, unfortunately. Get used to it everyone. This is the Messiah…you bow to him, not the other way around. What an a**hole!
Never thought I would say this, but…
I miss President Bush. At least he knows how to treat people. But I guess you can’t expect much from damaged goods like Obama…the little bastard (born out of wedlock) whose radical father dumped him, and his mother dumped him on his grandmother until she found some other third worlder to marry. Poor kid..no wonder he became a crackhead and hung out with radicals and terrorists. Just wanting to “belong”. Lucky us.
So next time you apply for a job (look it up, employment, job, career, etc.) and they ask for proof of birth, be sure to show them a couple of newspaper announcements instead.
I love these liberal comments on here, but just to make a point. Has anyone noticed that every time the chosen one makes an announcement about a policy objective the market takes another dive?
Maybe its me, but it looks like anyone with money is bailing out. So here we are in the worst thing since the depression and all he does is scare the people with money with his speeches. That is a great way to fix the economy.
Too all those so called educated liberals making excuses for him should read history. Lenin was very popular with the educated classes until after the October Revolution. Then after when they were no longer needed Stalin had them killed.
Regardless of your political leanings; we all must agree that the gifts were tacky at best, disrespectful at worse.
Prime Minister Brown is a visiting head of state and you don’t give a leader of his country’s stature some DVDs and Tonka Toys for his kids.
During the Super Bowl party, the president had Kobe beef served to his guest. The Kobe beef market price on that day, per ounce, cost more than the gifts they presented to the Browns.
That is the problem. It is not about disliking the president, for some it may be, but for a majority of people, it is the symbolism and substance of the actions.
Turn the situation around: Had the Obamas presented respectful and nice gifts to the Browns and in return, the Browns presented the first family with 25 movies on DVD, people would have screamed racism.
His team should have known better.
Hmmmm. Didn’t Bush give Brown a jacket with the presidential seal on it?
Seems to be pretty standard.
The boys got toys; the girls got clothes and books. Is there a question about which gift is crappier? Any kid prefers toys to clothes.
And any adult prefer DVDs to a pen holder. But what do Iknow? I’m just a regular guy.
The Marine One item may be viewed at the following URL:
http://whitehouse.merchantcart.net/mainshopping.cfm?icg_id=10&showsku_ID=434