Barack Obama’s verdict on David Cameron: ‘He’s a lightweight’
Just when you thought BHO couldn’t go up in your estimation… From The Grauniad:
“According to tomorrow’s New Statesman, Barack Obama was unimpressed by his encounter with David Cameron earlier this year and commented: “What a lightweight!”
According to James Macintyre’s report, Cameron’s attempt to stress his pro-American and Eurosceptic credentials did not meet with Obama’s approval. According to Macintyre’s diplomatic sources, the Democratic candidate was “distinctly unimpressed” and labelled Cameron a lightweight.
Macintyre notes that 48 hours earlier Obama had delivered a speech in Berlin stressing “the importance of Europe’s role in our security and our future”.
Following the meeting with Cameron, Obama apparently asked officials for more information on Tory Euroscepticism. Macintyre also speculates that Cameron’s support for the Iraq war – which Obama opposed – did not help the relationship either.
The report is sure to dismay Cameron and damage his attempts to portray himself as a world-class statesman – not to mention relations between Obama’s incoming administration and a possible future Tory government.”
Ah, Barack. Right on the button, as always.
I couldn’t agree more with ‘zain1′ on The Guardian‘s comment board. Well, I’ll agree, but with better punctuation:
“haha this made my day.
The tory boy, son on privilege given everything he ever wanted, eton and bullingdon, married into aristocracy, has been desperately trying to claim that he is like Obama.
Just like he really see himself as blairs heir.
I have news for you “Dave”, you are at best a third rate tony blair, and at most you are a stump next to the giant that Obama is.”
Tags: barack obama, barack obama news, conservative party, david cameron, david cameron news, guardian, obama news
December 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
A pretty heartwarming story. Sadly though what the U.S. Elections showed us is how contemptible our own democracy really is. Your choice at the next General Election New Labour a failed political venture with absolutely no ideology or passion, who have been as equally as despicable, and sleaze-ridden as what went before them. Or David Cameron, and the New improved caring sharing Tory. Why bother? There’s no difference between them at all. So where’s the opposition? The alternative? Liberal Democrat? I’d love to say Yes, but they have finally become sadly what they have always threatened to do, and become completely insignificant.
It says something when the likes of UKIP or the BNP are picking up council seats, and pushing at double figure digits % at By-Elections. So sad it’s come to this. Good to see Dave being dissed by the most powerful man on the planet though…
December 4th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Darrell, I couldn’t agree with you more. and people wonder why I get fired up about American politics. *sighs*.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
What a cool site! Wish I had found it before. Anything that shows Cameron up for the horrid mix of Thatherite and Blairite that he is is worth airing. Think is he lacks Thatcher’s will and ideology but shares her and Blair’s populism. Lets hope the tories impode and labour turn left before the next election
December 5th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Darrell and Obama for England
Except Obama is a little to the right of Cameron. Darn!
December 5th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Mac, Are you sure?? What are we basing this on? All he seems to be spouting on about are his policies, which are all failed New Labour policies, and to be said centre-right policies at best. Or maybe were going with the Green credentials? And his ability to ride a bike from Notting Hill Gate to work? I would say to Parliament but he usually he gets off and is back in his car by Kensington Gardens.
Andrea, I know. It’s awful to think that at the next General Election we could have no viable party to vote for. Possibly a Richard Pryor in Brewster’s Millions ‘None of the Above’ party is needed. At least we have an intelligent and inspiring POTUS.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Web Design London – thanks! Glad you like the site
MacMuser – I’d have to second Darrell and ask: in what way is he to the right? That said: regardless of their relative politics, this is about who is a heavyweight and who is a lightweight. Cameron is, indeed, the latter – while Obama is the former. The argument isn’t about where they sit on the political spectrum – Margaret Thatcher was a political heavyweight! – it’s about their principles, their vision, their policy ideas, their intellectual rigour and their gravitas. Obama has all these things in spades and as such can absolutely be regarded as a heavyweight, despite his youth and his popular touch.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Oh, it appears this site is for the group of people who see themselves as Labour-Democrat aligned, for ever. WHy not think outside your boxes?
I know lightweight is meant to be a snub, but lighter government would be nice.
I would like to say out straight: SPending this money on economy is a hidden tax: 100% of GDP borrowing! It keeps house prices from tumbling rapidly, , and so slow that market down and freezes that money. It will delay and worsen our suffering through long term and immediate stagnation-inflation over years, whilst prices stay that extra height, the same level as we borrow. It’s not the banks fault, it is the fault of legislation permitting the printing of money to finance consumer debt and housing booms. We do need to spend..on food , houses, clothes… and so we will whatever happens. Locally sustainability and production is what is required, and money would flow for that anyway. `WHat has happened, including the collapse, was forseen and planned to enslave us all in government dictates and adventures. It is theft.
If the money wasn’t pumped in, No one would lose their house! they would keep it, gratis from that day on, when the institution ceased.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:55 am
chuee – both Obama’s verdict and mine on David Cameron came before the current economic crisis. I agree with you that the collapse was forseen – by those smarter and less idealogical than those in the ‘free market is the answer to all’ GOP and the Bush administration – but, erm, “planned”?! I think not.
You say you are for ‘lighter’ government? Well, in that case we may well agree – because I don’t believe a government or state should wiretap its own citizens nor in any way legislate what goes on in a bedroom between two consenting adults. You?
I am Labour-Democrat aligned because of certain core principles and values, and my beliefs about the world and the people in it, ’tis true. And I doubt I will ever stray too far from this – precisely because my political alignment is based on such basic things – and therefore make no apology for it.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
PS It may be written by Labour-Democrat aligned peeps, but this site is “for” everyone.