Obama on future US/UK relationship: call for equality

[aruna]

Just read this in the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/27/barackobama.uselections2008
Barack Obama has called for the "special relationship" between the US and Britain to be "recalibrated" to make it a fairer, more equal partnership, the Guardian has learned.
Senator Obama, who leads the race to be the Democratic candidate for the US presidency, made the remarks in a telephone address to a fundraising event attended by American expatriates in London.
He has long been seen by British officials as the most anglophile of the three remaining presidential candidates, but these latest comments are his first public suggestion that the relationship is unequal and ripe for change.

I do like this. I think his multi-cultural background does indeed mean that he sees the world differently, and that could be exactly what the world needs in terms of US leadership.
There. I've started an Obama-thread!

[poetinahat]

Maybe he was inspired by the Hugh Grant "We're not going to take it any more" oratory in Love, Actually.

[aruna]

Maybe he was inspired by the Hugh Grant "We're not going to take it any more" oratory in Love, Actually.
I've no recollection of that; care to elaborate?
I'm wondering, though, if the American electorate will interpret this as a sign of weakness?

[donroc]

Ach, no more realpolitik?
Mon Dieu, no more raison d'etat?

:cry::flag:

[poetinahat]

I've no recollection of that; care to elaborate?
I'm wondering, though, if the American electorate will interpret this as a sign of weakness?
I'd be glad to.

Grant - the British PM - is with Billy Bob Thornton, the US President (this may not be the last time you see this phrase, by the way). They're about to meet the press to discuss how the talks between them have gone. Grant's assistant is serving tea or some such. Up to now, he's kind of had a thing for her, but it's been unrecognised or unexpressed.

Grant leaves the room. On re-entering, he finds the Pres rather close to the assistant - stroking her hair, or some such. An awkward moment ensues.

They exit to face the press. Thornton says he thinks it's gone very well, he looks forward to continuing good relations, blah blah.

Grant starts to say something similar, then stops - he then says (I paraphrase), "No. Actually, it's been rather bad. The US always come in here and think they can take whatever they like, no matter how important it is to m... England. No more. We will not play second fiddle any more, and the US had better jolly well get used to it."

Great cheers ensue - he's hero of the hour, etc. etc.

[cethklein]

I've said this for a long time. I think balancing the power could not only help the British, but also add some checks and balances to the equation in general. It would at least help to eliminate the stigma that the US does everything unilaterally. It should also help to lessen the idea that many in the UK have that the US treats the UK as a servant. There ae many people there who feel Blair allowed the UK to be led around by the US.

[SHBueche]

Remember when W. discovered he and Tony Blair used the same brand of toothpaste? The UK was our staunchest ally from that time on :)

[poetinahat]

Another thought. Perhaps it's his softly-softly way of saying the UK should start pulling its weight?

[Bird of Prey]

Another thought. Perhaps it's his softly-softly way of saying the UK should start pulling its weight?

I doubt it. It's nothing but bs. And as demonstrated, nobody really knows what he means.

[William Haskins]

i would say that this, along with this weekend's article about his adulation in germany, are somewhat amusing, but not surprising. europe typically embraces politicians from the american left.

in this case, i have some difficulty believing it's anything more than habit and perhaps a touch of the same rock star admiration that he gets with many americans.

he's certainly had opportunities to demonstrate solidarity with europe and craft an agenda that is in line with their interests... and failed (http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2007/12/29/obama_europe/).

[poetinahat]

I doubt it. It's nothing but bs. And as demonstrated, nobody really knows what he means.

'Morning, Ralph.

http://www.galynne.com/Feel%20Good%20Tribe/hello%20ralph%20hello%20sam.jpg

[cethklein]

I doubt it. It's nothing but bs. And as demonstrated, nobody really knows what he means.

But if Hillary had said it, it likely would be "great foreign policy".

[cethklein]

i would say that this, along with this weekend's article about his adulation in germany, are somewhat amusing, but not surprising. europe typically embraces politicians from the american left.

in this case, i have some difficulty believing it's anything more than habit and perhaps a touch of the same rock star admiration that he gets with many americans.

he's certainly had opportunities to demonstrate solidarity with europe and craft an agenda that is in line with their interests... and failed (http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2007/12/29/obama_europe/).

But that's changing. Europe is getting more right-wing in some places. There's been a major change of attitude lately, mainly due to the rampant immigration issues they have to deal with and the relative failings of some of the so-called "social welfare" programs they've bragged about for decades.

And consider that the UK is FAR different from continental Europe in terms of politics. Yes there are people there who will go ga-ga over Obama, but he's not gonig to exactly have an easy ride when it comes to dealnig with Europe as president. The region is changing, fast.