So, after several years of hostility from the world toward our country, the President heads to Europe to re-engage the world and is greeted like a rock star. The First Lady is treated as a star and inspiration in her own right, presenting the world a new, fresh face for America.
The President holds a joint news conference with PM Brown and shows the world his intellect, integrity, and good-humor. He graciously compliments Gordon Brown, giving him a personal boost when he is struggling politically at home. Pat Buchanan observed that Brown walked out of the news conference as if he's eight-feet tall.
He makes real steps towards possible work with Russia to decrease nuclear weapons and plans visits to Russia in July and China later in the year.
By every objective measure, before the more substantive portions of this trip has even come about, the President has shown himself a proud representative for our country.
And yet, what does the Right Wing Noise Machine want to focus upon? The gift the Obamas gave the Queen.
As soon as heard that the President and First Lady has gifted an iPod to the Queen, I bet myself that if immediately checked out the Drudge Report, this story would be the main headline. Sure enough, there it was:
GIFT TO THE QUEEN: AN IPOD
[AND SHE ALREADY HAS ONE]
Of course, Drudge leaves out that the Obamas also gifted a rare songbook signed by Richard Rodgers. The Queen supposedly is a huge show-tune fan.
Now, I'm not certain what the thinking was behind giving the iPod. It included pictures and videos of the Queen's 2007 visit to the U.S. I've heard conflicting accounts about whether it also included Rodgers and Hammerstein music. I can't help but think the President and First Lady had a rhyme and reason behind giving the iPod as an addition to the rare songbook.
Update [2009-4-1 21:1:16 by John Campanelli]:: I just heard on CBS News that the Queen had specifically requested the iPod. Go figure.
Nevertheless, the iPod is simply the most minuscule part of a very important visit. I admit that we Democrats had lots of fun pointing out when George W. Bush did dumb-ass stuff like giving Angela Merkel a shoulder rub. But such actions reflected a larger pattern of absurdity and missteps by Bush. Hell, the sum of Bush's actions caused near riots of hate when he traveled abroad. This time, when the world economy is in the crapper, the protests directed no anger toward our President - with many of them expressing admiration for our President.
But as James Wolcott points out, with nothing else to criticize the President and First Lady, the Right Wing have become impotent pea-shooters:
It's pathetic what conservatives are now loading into their pea-shooters for their sniffy putdowns of Obama and the beyond-fabulous Michelle. I suppose Glenn Beck will spend five minutes on this tonight, him being so impish and all.
Doing their best to channel Tammy Baldwin, some pipsqueak Wingnut site called American Digest has this to say about the Obamas:
A Tale of Two Giftings: Obama vs Bush
Confirmed: The Obamas are Tacky, Tasteless, and Cheap. What is it with these two Clampets? We they born in a barn? This is getting embarrassing. What are they going to give the rulers of China? Taiwan or a poo-poo cushion?
The blogger than does his best to show just how wonderful the Bushes' gifting was relative to the Obamas. Of course, after their hero has destroyed the world economy and America's reputation, I guess they will take whatever they can to polish the turd that is the Bush legancy.
Update [2009-4-1 21:1:16 by John Campanelli]: More information about the gift:
President Obama's gift of an iPod to Queen Elizabeth II came loaded with 40 songs from popular Broadway productions, including The King and I, West Side Story and Dreamgirls.
According to AP, the songs on the iPod are:
Oklahoma!
If I Loved You, Jan Clayton, Carousel
You'll Never Walk Alone, Jan Clayton, Carousel
There's No Business Like Show Business, Ethel Merman, Annie Get Your Gun
Once in Love with Amy (Where's Charley?), Ray Bolger
Some Enchanted Evening, South Pacific
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, Carol Channing, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Getting to Know You, Gertrude Lawrence, The King and I
Shall We Dance? Gertrude Lawrence, The King and I
I Could Have Danced All Night, Julie Andrews, My Fair Lady
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Rex Harrison, My Fair Lady
The Party's Over (Bells Are Ringing), Judy Holliday
Maria, West Side Story
Tonight, West Side Story
Seventy Six Trombones, The Music Man
Everything's Coming up Roses, Ethel Merman, Gypsy
The Sound of Music
Try to Remember, Jerry Orbach, The Fantasticks
Camelot, Richard Burton
If Ever I Would Leave You, Robert Goulet, Camelot
Hello, Dolly! Carol Channing
If I Were a Rich Man, Zero Mostel, Fiddler on the Roof
People, Barbra Streisand, Funny Girl
On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever), John Cullum
The Impossible Dream, Richard Kiley, Man of La Mancha
Mame, Charles Braswell
Cabaret, Liza Minnelli
Aquarius, Ronald Dyson, Hair
Send in the Clowns, Judy Collins, A Little Night Music
All That Jazz, Chita Rivera, Chicago
One, A Chorus Line
Tomorrow, Andrea McArdle, Annie
Don't Cry for Me Argentina, Patti LuPone, Evita
And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, Jennifer Holliday, Dreamgirls
Memory, Elaine Paige, Cats
The Best of Times, George Hearn, La Cage Aux Folles
I Dreamed a Dream, Aretha Franklin, Les Miserables
The Music of the Night, Michael Crawford, The Phantom of the Opera
As If We Never Said Goodbye, Elaine Paige, Sunset Blvd.
Seasons of Love, Rent
Update [2009-4-1 22:13:30 by John Campanelli]: I read this on another blog:
Since the Queen and her husband used to hum Rodgers & Hammerstein to each other while they were courting and she's still a big fan of theirs to this day, that one was an extremely thoughtful gift.