Obama enjoys the high life
James Forsyth 12:02pm
Amidst all the talk of Tony Blair’s post-office earnings, it is interesting to
read in The Times of Barack Obama’s post-presidency ambitions. In Jodi Kantor’s new book on the Obamas, the president
is quoted telling old friends of the couple that:
Now, I am sure Obama made the remark half in jest. But it does show how quickly politicians become accustomed to the conveniences of office. Though in Blair’s case, his money-making seems to be motivated more by a desire to match the lifestyle of the global elite that he met in office and now spends so much time with.‘When I leave office there are only two things I want. I want a plane and I want a valet.’
One other thing that struck me in the serialisation was how the biggest row between allies of the First Lady and the President’s staff was caused by a report in a British newspaper about Michelle Obama supposedly telling Carla Bruni-Sarkozy that living in the White House was hell. It is an example of how the less deferential British newspaper culture is influencing American politics.
Previous
Heartless Curmudgeon
January 9th, 2012 12:40pm Report this commentYup! - follows like night follows day.
justathought
January 9th, 2012 12:43pm Report this commentI understand that Blair has been legally allowed to deduct approximately £8m in administrative expenses however doesn't this just feed the narrative that the super rich can afford expensive accountants to reduce their taxes that other ''little people" have to pay?
Mike Barnes
January 9th, 2012 1:08pm Report this commentScraping the bottom of the barrel a bit here surely. Obama is a very funny man, get a doctor to check your sense of humour immediately.
Verity
January 9th, 2012 2:10pm Report this commentMike, yes ... the fixers in Chicago's Tammany Hall are noted for their lightness of spirit and ability to see the funny side of things.
AAE
January 9th, 2012 2:25pm Report this commentWhy are those in elected public life who whine day in day out about equality and fairness never asked why they themselves don't get the ball rolling towards this nirvana of fairness by indulging in what might be described as voluntary socialism. If the entire shadow cabinet were to accept only the national minimum wage, or let's be generous and give them the national average wage, they would not only be putting their money where their mouths were, but exchanging hypocrisy for dignity. If the Kinnock family alone were to do this, just think of the difference a million quid a year could make to all those ex-miners upon whose backs they've obscenely ridden into the high life.
Frank P
January 9th, 2012 2:42pm Report this comment"‘When I leave office there are only two things I want. I want a plane and I want a valet.’"
It's a misprint Pete; the last word should "wallet"
TomTom
January 9th, 2012 3:04pm Report this comment"I want a plane and I want a valet.’"
Blair should be able to oblige if Obama gets his own plane
TrevorsDen
January 9th, 2012 3:33pm Report this commentIn Blair's case what we should have given him was a rocket and a space suit. Brown would have to make do with a diving bell.
Jupiter
January 9th, 2012 4:53pm Report this commentI want to see Barry's real birth certificate.
Dimoto
January 9th, 2012 7:24pm Report this commentHumour or not, surely the most interesting aspect of this little story, is that a President of the USA, just a year or two into his first term, was already contemplating his exit strategy.
Aiming high, evidently.
john gerard
January 9th, 2012 8:47pm Report this commentYou say "half in jest", but like all doctrinaire marxists now and historically, Obama LOVES the high-life for him and his juiced-in cronies, but dreams of enforcing equal poverty across the rest of US society.
Rob
January 10th, 2012 2:30am Report this commentAnimal Farm should be compulsory reading in all our schools....
Back to top