Watford can’t live up to these expectations
James Forsyth 1:25pm
One of the key parts of political spin is expectations’ management. But Labour seems to have completely forgotten this when it comes to the G20 summit. The way Labour is talking it up, it if it doesn’t end with Obama chairing Gordon Brown on his shoulders through the streets London while proclaiming that Brown has saved the world it will be a bit of an anti-climax.
In reality, the summit probably will give Brown a bit of a boost. It will allow him to play the statesman on the world stage and associating with Obama can’t hurt. (Although the idea of a joint Brown-Obama Wembley rally, which reportedly made it to the memo stage, is an idea that is as crass as it is desperate.) But the summit isn’t going to transform British politics, and is unlikely to produce something that resonates with the electorate—international regulatory reform is hardly the kind of thing that excites swing voters.
Even Peter Mandelson, master of the darks arts that he is, seems to be falling into this trap. In his prepared remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Mandelson, rightly, said that the “political dilemma” is “we need high level meetings and action, which generate big expectations which, in turn, trigger disappointment and market reaction when immediate results are not produced.” But a friend tells me that later in the session, he declared that "we have to make sure the London summit is a turning point".
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aidyboothroyd
February 18th, 2009 1:35pm Report this commentFor a moment there James I thought you were talking about our magnificent win over Swansea last night....
Jim_UK
February 18th, 2009 1:48pm Report this commentI hope Brown stays away from Vicarage Road, we've enough problems without the curse of McDoom.
BrendanRodgers
February 18th, 2009 1:49pm Report this commentI thought you'd gone...
adam
February 18th, 2009 1:57pm Report this commenti thought he was talking about the 3 way marginal at the next election!!
mac
February 18th, 2009 2:16pm Report this commentBut Mandelson may be planning a Dome-style spectacular with HM The Queen there to join in singing Auld Lang Syne and (shudder) join hands with the World's Saviour. Then two choruses of "For he's a jolly good fellow', one for The One and another for the World's Saviour.
Job's a good'un. Re-election assured. A grateful New-New Labour government, still doing the right thing, compulsorily nationalises Blenheim Palace for Lord Peter's exclusive use.
strapworld
February 18th, 2009 3:02pm Report this commentWhat is the betting that Obama sends Joe Biden!
He will have been alerted to the curse of Brown. He will have far more important meetings to attend to....like the President of Iran or to meet with Sarah Palin or anything!
Obama is no fool, and I suspect is not as warm towards us as some would like to believe.
Hereford
February 18th, 2009 3:11pm Report this commentProbably what he meant was "we have to make sure the London summit appears to be a turning point".
Liz Brown
February 18th, 2009 3:21pm Report this commentWho is deluding who - I know that Brown's supporters are naturaly thick, but i don't see how any "success" can be attached to gormless and being with the Messiah will only show him up even more as the glowering autistic that he is. The government (gormless and mandelbum) should stop bigging up the G20 as the solution to all our problems - it isn't and won't be
cuffleyburgers
February 18th, 2009 3:52pm Report this commentI have no doubt that Obama will be far from keen to be seen chumming up to Brown at this meeting.
I'm with strapworld, he will likely send an understudy, if it goes well (for McLunatic) he will turn up in person for the opening ceremony, the fact that a joint wembley rally has been floated just goes to underline how delusional the Dear Leader actually is.
Utterly barking.
jon dee
February 18th, 2009 4:05pm Report this commentOf course Brown is pushing the "global cooperation" mantra because despite the recent fusillade of worthless initiatives,he and his government are clueless as to what to do next.
Empty rhetoric blaming America and naughty bankers will be followed by the G20 excuse if his "global solutions" are not accepted.
Grandstanding on the world stage is the escape route into history for this vain,impotent politician,but the UK will pay heavily for it.
strapworld
February 18th, 2009 4:24pm Report this commentJust a thought - Did Brown ask for Obama apology tapes or The Nurembourg Rally tapes (For the Wembley do!)
David
February 18th, 2009 4:43pm Report this comment"we have to make sure the London summit appears to be a turning point".
And what is wrong with that? Seems to be what the markets react to...
Verity
February 18th, 2009 5:24pm Report this commentObama will not associate himself with a loser - especially a loser no one in the United States has ever heard of. Also, I think posters here overestimate the interest he has in Britain. In addition, Brown's government is in a shambles, and I am sure one of the people in State have alerted him to this.
If he sends Joe Biden, that would be hilarious.
Prodicus
February 18th, 2009 6:21pm Report this comment*If* he comes it will be because it hasn't yet dawned in Washington just how toxic the Curse of Jonah is.
Susan Hill
February 18th, 2009 6:40pm Report this commentThe cost of Joe Biden`s Botox, hair cuts, teeth implants and whitening, face lifts and all would pay off America's entire national debt.
Duc de Blangis
February 19th, 2009 1:53am Report this commentAnd Iceland's.
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