Obama all set to snub Brown?
Fraser Nelson 6:41pm
When someone says they "hope" to come to your party, it's normally a polite way of saying "forget it". And when Brown spoke to Obama on Friday, the president said he "hopes" to come to the G20 summit in London. (White House readout here).
It wasn't a slipup. I called the Foreign Office who confirmed: it is yet undecided as to whether the G20 will be a finance ministers summit or a head of government one. The invites go out next week, and they may find out the week after. Maybe later. To treble check, I contacted the US Embassy in London - is the president coming to the G20? "As yet his attendance is unconfirmed" was the official reply.
As I say in tomorrow's magazine, it would be devastating for Brown if the word's finance geeks descend on London with their calculators rather than the Messiah. It would deny him of that photo op from heaven. My hunch is that Obama probably will turn up - but as yet, he still hasn't said he'll come. And if he doesn't, I doubt other heads of state will bother either.
P.S. The Foreign Office get in touch to say that the G20 is indeed a Head of Government summit, and that their plan is to have a finance ministers meeting separately. So is Obama definitely coming? That, they say, is "a matter for the US".
Previous
TrtevorsDen
January 28th, 2009 7:20pm Report this commentI think
a - your probably reading more into this than is there
and
b - by obsessing about it you are giving Brown too much kudos if indeed Obama does see Brown (1st, 2nd , anytime).
You should concentrate on the reality that Obama is a waste of space. He has sent a message to terrorists everywhere "I am a soft touch".
teledu
January 28th, 2009 7:55pm Report this commentBrown won't necessarily benefit from posing alongside Obama. The contrast between unelected and elected leader; old stale against new and fresh; loser v winner, will be heightened. Brown's a loser, the Labour party know it, the electorate know it and you can be sure Obama knows it. Only Incapability Brown doesn't know it. It may well do Brown more harm than good.
mitch
January 28th, 2009 7:57pm Report this commentWould you go? rub shoulders with that freak.
Polly and Alice's mum
January 28th, 2009 8:11pm Report this commentFraser - where have you been all day (we missed you on the Daily Politics!) ?
Yes, as to Obama coming to this utter waste of time/conference, I VERY much doubt it. He does not want to associate himself with the disaster that is McBroon. After all, his message is all about change - and our dear leader is so....yesterday. AND yesterday's man has been very rude about the whole crisis emanating from America.
And the great dithering one has been somewhat backward in coming forward on further troops etc etc etc.
Obama (the OTHER Messiah) will not want to touch him with a bargepole - and who could blame him?
molesworth_1
January 28th, 2009 8:14pm Report this commentPerhaps someone should tell Obama all about Brown's 'Jonah' tendencies.
Jupiter
January 28th, 2009 8:25pm Report this commentIf Obama's got any brains he will avoid Brown like the plague. So I suppose he's coming then.
Anan
January 28th, 2009 8:25pm Report this commentI think Robert Mugabe said it best: "Brown is a DOT."
TGF UKIP
January 28th, 2009 8:27pm Report this commentObama is of, from and by Chicago so he's simply raising the ante.
He knows full well that Brown will hand over army, navy, air force and North Sea oil in return for that photo op.
What neither Brown, Obama nor media realize is just how over-rated that photo op is.
If a week is a long time in politics, just how ephemeral is one photo op.
Brits are ornery, sceptical and cynical creatures and the media have pushed the whole Obama fest too far for comfort.
Austin Barry
January 28th, 2009 8:47pm Report this commentWhy does Brown think a photo op with Obama will be to his benefit? Tony Hancock meets Sidney Poitier? This poor deluded man should be sent to a nursing home in some dreary Caledonian town: East Kilbride or Nairn perhaps, where he can watch the light decline and mutter "I used to be the Prime Minister, you know" and the nurse will bring the Thorazine.
J Wright
January 28th, 2009 9:01pm Report this commentHow many Troops have to die in Afganistan so that Brown can kiss Obamas backside before Sarcosy . Pass the sick bag alice
strapworld
January 28th, 2009 9:19pm Report this commentObama must have been made aware of Brown's opinion poll ratings and the fact that he continually blames the good old US of A for all our ills.
I do not think he will come. If anything he will find a convenient meeting with Iamadinnerjacket in Iran of a more interesting journey to make. Also I do not think Obama likes Brown suggesting that BROWN saved the world...surely that is Obama's mission?
Brown is finished. The other EU leaders will not want to be seen with him.
IT WILL ALL END IN TEARS.
Tiberius
January 28th, 2009 10:05pm Report this commentBet Brown won't take him for a spin in a golf buggy.
Tankus
January 28th, 2009 10:33pm Report this commentBrowns just too desperate and needy ....bit of luck Obama will be creeped out
Gordon Musgo
January 28th, 2009 11:09pm Report this commentObama won't go near Brown. Toxic Jock syndrome.
Hysteria
January 28th, 2009 11:10pm Report this commentand the prize for the caption to this photograph goes to:
"Phew - thank the Lord I don't have to come HERE again.."
Edward R
January 28th, 2009 11:19pm Report this commentThis reminds me of an excellent situation in Yes Prime Minister, when instead the PM is offered to meet with the Vice-President. Obama sending Joe Biden (who was former Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee),in his stead would be the ultimate display of rejection to Brown whilst being publically acceptable. Either way he know that he should show support to world leaders without gaining any further intimacy with our soon to be ex-PM.
J H Holloway
January 28th, 2009 11:27pm Report this commentTony Hancock meets Sidney Poitier?
Genius.
Travis Bickle
January 28th, 2009 11:41pm Report this commentWon't Dawn Butler be there then?
Hilary C
January 29th, 2009 7:52am Report this commentObama's lodging with Dawn Butler.
Wily Trout
January 29th, 2009 10:00am Report this commentIt'll make a great caption, Brown and Obama shaking hands under the quote "This Is No Time for A Novice"
stan_expat
January 29th, 2009 2:59pm Report this commentObama will come if only to have his first long ride on Air Force 1
Steve
January 29th, 2009 3:02pm Report this comment"You destroyed the world, I saved it, now you must do everything I say or you'll be destroyed again"
This is what Brown says to/about obama/usa whenever he's asked about anything.
If you were Obama, would you want to meet with such a loony?
Al
January 29th, 2009 3:36pm Report this commentBrown has spent the last few months slagging off America for the mess Britian is in.
If you were American would you want your picture with this man?
Naomi
January 30th, 2009 11:42am Report this commentObama is obviously his own man and won't be hijacked by a Broon who will be seeking to secure his endorsement. Obama won't get suckered into that. Whatever Obama will achieve, and who knows what that might be,he has raised confidence in the potential future, and that is something Broon can never do.
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