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Michelle's $15 gift for the boys
Joe Murphy, Political Editor04.03.09
The pile of gifts at the White House from Gordon and Sarah Brown has grown even higher.
After the Prime Minister arrived bearing a heap of valuable official gifts, last night it was his wife's turn to play Lady Bountiful.
Mrs Brown brought each of President Obama's daughters - Malia, 10, and seven-year-old Sasha - a Topshop dress and matching necklace as well as six children's books by British authors during a private visit to the West Wing. In return she was given a toy model of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, for her sons Fraser and John.
Similar models of Marine One in identical-looking boxes bearing the White House crest are sold on Amazon for $15 (£10.67).
Downing Street has not yet said what official gift President Obama gave the Prime Minister in return for the first edition, seven-volume biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert and framed original commission for HMS Resolute - the Victorian vessel whose timbers form the Resolute Desk that President Obama uses in the Oval Office.
Mrs Brown enjoyed more than an hour with Mrs Obama and despite headlines predicting the "clash of the first wives", the women, both 45, appear to have got on well.
The Prime Minister's wife was guest of honour today at a breakfast for the White Ribbon Alliance USA, a charity campaigning for women's health.
Reader views (7)
Etta, do you honestly think the most powerful man in the world can't afford something more than 25 REGION ONE DVDs that Brown can't even play? You'd think he would have included an American DVD in the gift, but I understand, money's tight.
Maybe he spent all his (and the tax payers) money on that $700 stimulus plan. Well that's just clumsiness on his part. I am not impressed.
It's disgraceful in this World Recession, you think that only America are having problems. Come to England and you'll see we're in the same boat as you, yet Gordon Brown puts a bit more effort into his gifts.
- Claire, Ipswich, England
The Obama gifts to the Browns were insulting! Britain is our greatest Ally and the gifts should be appropriate. It has nothing to do with our economic situation. At least the Browns showed class!
- Ray Hamilton, San Antonio, TX
It is called recession, people and if you folks on the other side of the pond think that this president got here without brains you are mistaken. People here have lost homes and have lost jobs this president cannot afford to be insensitive to the situation that we are in now. Please send a self address envelope and we will gladly return your gifts. Instead of making a fuss about some cloths that the children do not need tell us where to send them and do us a favor, be quiet and allow Obama to deal with more urgent and pressing needs for this country.
- Etta, Portland, USA
Rad, Boston,Ma
IT IS A GOOD GIFT FOR ANY BOY THEIR AGE, SO STOP TRYING TO MAKE IT LOOK A BAD CHOICE.
- Rad, BOSTON, MA
FINALLY A PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE! OUR COUNTRY IS IN A RECESSION AND LAVISH GIFTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE WOULD BE A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL AMERICANS WHO HAVE LOST HOMES, JOBS AND MONEY. A GIFT SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED UPON FOR IT'S VALUE. THOSE WHO ARE CRITIZING THE OBAMAS GIFTS ARE PROBABLY NOT AFFECT BY THIS RECESSION YET. WAKE UP!
- Rick, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Dear John Cunningham,
The shine is already rubbing off Barack Obama here in the United States. After only a month in office Americans are already growing weary of his policies and is combative/lofty demeanor.
So, perhaps it's best that none of that Obama-shine rubs off onto your Prime Minister.
- Tedd, New York USA
Sorry Gordon,A pathetic attempt to hang on to power. Obamas shine will not rub off on you.Stop trying to currie favor with this President. Even he has seen the buzzards circling around your political carcass.
- John Cunningham, Blackheath London
