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Brown and Obama stand shoulder to shoulder
Joe Murphy, Political Editor1 Apr 2009
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BARACK OBAMA and Gordon Brown staged a historic show of unity today as world leaders gathered for the G20 summit.
The President and the Prime Minister stood shoulder to shoulder, both as friends and political allies, on the eve of the most significant talks in London for a generation.
Mr Obama, who was clapped into No 10 by staff and officials on his arrival, emerged after two hours of talks with Mr Brown to give strong signals that his relationship with "Gordon" had grown markedly closer.
Outside their cosy talks, parts of London were in security lockdown as protesters staged a series of demonstrations.
Inside, however, the mood could not have been more friendly. President Obama spoke warmly of the "special relationship" between Britain and America - a term that had seemed to fall out of favour at the new White House - and declared his liking for the British people, the "kinship of ideals" the two countries share and his respect for the "decency and civility" of the Queen. During a press conference Mr Obama reacted coolly to suggestions that America was to blame for the credit crunch. "At this point I am less interested in identifying blame than in fixing the problem," he said. There had been mistakes and regulatory failings in the US and in Britain and Europe, he said.
While wife Michelle went with Sarah Brown to visit a cancer centre, Mr Obama revealed that they had met the Brown children John and Fraser and chatted with the boys about dinosaurs.
The President's words went beyond the routine praise for a summit host but, more significantly, the two leaders dramatically emerged as allies against French president Nicolas Sarkozy who was, as usual, making a noise from the sidelines.
It was deftly done, but President Obama clearly slapped down the French leader's threat to walk out of the summit unless there was tough action agreed against bad bankers.
"The notion that somehow there are those pushing for regulation and those resisting regulation is belied by the facts," said Mr Obama, in his understated way.
He suggested that some people might feel a need to create more excitement by inventing rifts that did not exist. "The separation between the various parties has been vastly over-stated," he added.
Mr Brown, who rarely displays enjoyment in public, could not resist a mocking jibe at his Parisian counterpart. "I'm absolutely confident that President Sarkozy will not only be here for the first course at our dinner, but still be sitting as we complete our dinner this evening," he joked. The two leaders also united against critics of their plans to boost spending to beat the recession, such as German leader Angela Merkel,
That was just "arguing at the margins" said Mr Obama who dismissed criticism of massive borrowing plans by quoting the advice he gives to youngsters worrying about student loans. "Don't short-change the future because of fear of the present," said the President. He said the world should not rely on the voracious US consumer market to drive recovery. "It cannot just be the United States that's the engine room - everybody is going to have to pick up the pace."
It was the best possible start to a summit in which Mr Brown has staked his hopes for both a world economic boost and a turning point for his own battered domestic leadership.
Former ambassador to Washington Sir Christopher Meyer said later that an "effusive" Mr Obama had given Mr Brown "everything he wanted".
Mr Brown had talked down the chances of a big summit success in recent weeks. But he sounded more confident, proposing action on the banks and a $100 billion boost for the IMF finances.
"We are within a few hours, I think, of agreeing a global plan for economic recovery and reform," he declared.
Reader views (29)
Why don't you worry about your own country and leadership Arthur in Dover, and we'll continuing celebrating ours. Shame you have nothing better to do than hope for our president's failure. How about a hobby or something to better occupy your mind? Couldn't hurt.
- Marie, California, U.S., 02/04/2009 07:13
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Let's celebrate intelligent leadership at a time when blaming the likes of the Bush relics such as the late Ambassador Arnell for Ameriquest's unconscionable behaviour will not solve the problems facing all of us.
- Alice Smith, Palo Alto, CA, 01/04/2009 18:03
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The sooner we get rid of this clown the better. Roll on elections."
This is no way to talk about Cameron
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 01/04/2009 17:08
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Obama another jimmy carter a one term president
- Arthur Ruse, dover uk, 01/04/2009 17:08
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Johnny, Beijing, Please go through your History or Political books, we do not vote for our PM. We have a parliamentary system.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney, 01/04/2009 16:55
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Surely the comments in favour of Brown-noser are either posted in irony, or by Downing St? He seems to have forgotten that it's 'no time for a novice'.
- Tim, Bexleyheath UK, 01/04/2009 16:45
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The sooner we get rid of this clown the better. Roll on elections.
- John Smith, London , England, 01/04/2009 16:33
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Alex - "I am sick of people rubbishing Brown. If you think it is easy to run the economy why not stand as an MP and become our next PM."
Perhaps if Brown HAD actually stood as PM (instead of just doing a grubby deal to handover our highest office, with no election, with that liar Blair) then we might take your comment seriously....
- Johnny, Beijing China, 01/04/2009 16:08
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Well done,Gordon. As President Obama said, you're doing a great job. I see the President was only able to give Cameron 20 minutes. With the little they have in common with regard to the need for fiscal stimulus and kickstarting the world economy, I'm surprised he bothered to meet him at all, but then protocol says he is obliged to meet the Leader of the main opposition party in each country he visits. Looks increasingly likely that Angela Merkel and Nicholas Sarkozy will be frozen out. Like David Cameron, their views appear to be in the minority.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 01/04/2009 15:55
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It is good to see that Gordon Brown has even more clout in the USA as he has in the UK and Europe. This unity is good news for our hopes of economic revival
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 01/04/2009 15:46
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I am sick of people rubbishing Brown. If you think it is easy to run the economy why not stand as an MP and become our next PM. It is easy said than done. Most of the commentators, if we are given a chance to dig into their background we would realised that they cannot even run their homes. If you think Brown is not doing a good job look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, if you were the PM you could have done better.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney London, 01/04/2009 15:12
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Brown is doing a terrific job. I sincerely hope that others at the summit can pull their weight and some solutions are reached
- Charles, Richmond, 01/04/2009 14:25
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Did they not have a 'full english' for breakfast? No pork tonight!
- Michael, London, 01/04/2009 13:45
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Elizabeth Thornton from London and france - Can't work out if you're for real or just joking. If you really believe Brown is "doing a good job" I can only assume you've been buried away in your property in France for the last few years. It's people like you, voting for idiots like Brown, who've brought this country to the state it's in. And please don't tell me it's all a "global crisis created by bankers in the USA" and that it has "nothing to do with Brown". The financial crisis may have started in the US but Britain's inability to deal with the situation without having to borrow billions of pounds and effectively mortgage our children's future is down totally to Gordon Brown's disastrous period as Chancellor. "Intelligent" - don't make me laugh!!
- Malcolm, London, 01/04/2009 13:32
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pathetic to see Brown fawning over the president like a starstruck schoolgirl. G20 will produce some lovely pictures for the Labour spin doctors but will do nothing for the people suffering today because of Brown's decade of failed economic policies
- John Fisher, Carlisle, England, 01/04/2009 13:18
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Elizabeth in London - posts like yours remind me that it's April 1st: "GordonBrown is doing a good job...knows what he is talking about". I haven't laughed so much for days.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 01/04/2009 13:10
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The picture say it all really-you could chop it in half and not miss the left half.Just wait for the hurrahs the day the McBroons leave!Oh happy day.
- Amoreno, Luxembourg, 01/04/2009 13:01
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Let us try what the Conservative's suggest,let's take no action at all,just sit back and do nothing?
- Michael Ford Taylor, London, 01/04/2009 12:20
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Why vote out this lot,only to vote in another lot of wasters, better the devil you know.The choice is Tory,or Tory.
- Colin, London, 01/04/2009 12:16
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Gve him a break Gordon Brown is doing a good job,He knows what he is talking about.He doesn't have the same charms like Obama but definetly just as intellegent as Obama
- Elizabeth Thornton, London and france, 01/04/2009 11:47
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Great meet`n'greet in London Town!
Take your pick - Show Pony eyeballs Donkey with plastic grins all round. Ain't life a gas!
- Ted, London, 01/04/2009 11:39
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Has anyone seen the billboard in front of Kensington Olympia? It's a £20 note that says G20 on it. Anyone know who is responsible or what it means?
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/sweetponds/P1000460.jpg
- Tracey Lourenco, London, 01/04/2009 11:28
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How much is this freak show costing the tax payer?.How many officers are on the street?. is it 7000?.All this to protect the self obsessed liberal morons.Its funny how they can find the money to host this circus,but can`t find the money to help the needy!!!.Roll on election time,labour have got to go!!!.
- Andy, london, 01/04/2009 11:20
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I bet Blair feels sick seeing that photo opportunity go to Brown..
- Shelly, London, 01/04/2009 11:00
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Just how much longer must we put up with the fool McBean.
What a total embarrassment this sub-Prime Minister is.
- David, Fleet UK, 01/04/2009 10:27
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By comparison with Obama, Brown looks ill.
He appears to be as constipated as his failed economy!
- Dave, Cumbria, 01/04/2009 10:01
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Why call the legitimate concerns of European leaders against the Brown spending bonanza "creating intrigue"?
- M.E. Appleton, Frankfurt, Germany, 01/04/2009 10:00
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Made a bit of a difference from the visit of the last US President, when the streets were cleared for miles around and there were snipers on top of every building!
Dear President Obama, hope you enjoy your visit to London. Sorry you have to spend time listening to the hapless incompetent Crash during your stay.
- Marianne, SW France, 01/04/2009 09:51
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The applause can't be as loud as it will be when Brown leaves!
- Chris, Brighton, England., 01/04/2009 09:50
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