In yet another moment of Obama puffery the "Today" show highlighted a hotel dedicated to Barack Obama. During a segment headlined: "Hotel Obama, Small Country Goes Wild For President," NBC's Mara Schiavocampo, on Friday's "Today," showcased a new hotel in Ghana named after the President that is run by a former campaign worker and joined her as she took viewers on a room-by-room tour devoted to places and people important in Obama's life history [audio excerpt available here]:
MARA SCHIAVOCAMPO: It's run by Ghanaian-American Coretta Owusu, whose father owns the business. She worked for this Obama during the campaign and then moved to Ghana to work for this one. It's a budget conscious hotel featuring 18 themed rooms priced at $60 to $100.
CORETTA OWUSU, HOTEL MANAGER: And this room is the Obama suite. Most people stay here if they come for a special occasion or they're coming with their family. Well we have Michelle Obama right next to Barack Obama. Across from Obama it's Joe Biden's room.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓SCHIAVOCAMPO: And in case you never make it to the White House, you can always stay in the Lincoln bedroom here. They're not just politically themed rooms. At Hotel Obama you can stops all through the President's life by staying in rooms like Harvard, or the Chicago Room.
In her report Schiavocampo did manage to call Obama a "lefty," however she wasn't describing Obama's ideological leanings.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: In fact Ghanaians are so taken with the new American president they're naming lots of things after him. Everywhere he goes people tell 12-year-old Felix Agiyaba-Afreeye (sp?) he bears a striking resemblance to a certain American politician. What part of you do you think looks most like?
FELIX AGIYABA-AFREEYE: Oh everywhere.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: Tell me like where.
AGIYABA-AFREEYE: My ears. My eyes. My nose. My mouth. The way I smile.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: Even the way he writes. Felix is a lefty, just like the President. How do you feel when people tell you that you look like Obama?
AGIYABAAFREEYE: I feel wonderful and great.
The following is the full segment as it aired on the July 10, "Today" show:
MEREDITH VIEIRA: And now to Ghana, the next destination on President Obama's week-long overseas trip. And if he visits one of the capital city's newest hotels he might feel right at home. NBC News digital reporter Mara Schiavocampo has more on that. Mara, good morning to you.
[On screen headline: "Hotel Obama, Small Country Goes Wild For President."]
MARA SCHIAVOCAMPO: Good morning, Meredith. Well, today's newspaper says it all. "Akwaaba" Welcome to President Obama. Ghanaians here are eagerly anticipating the President's visit and in the days leading up to it they've been clamoring for everything Obama related. Singing Obama songs, wearing Obama shirts and now some are getting a chance to sleep in Obama's room. Visitors here aren't just staying at any hotel. They're guests of Obama, Hotel Obama, that is. Brand-new come accommodations in Ghana's capital city where every room is designed around a Barack Obama theme.
CORETTA OWUSU, HOTEL OBAMA MANAGER: There's a hotel named Lincoln. There's a hotel named Washington, why not have a hotel named after Obama?
SCHIAVOCAMPO: It's run by Ghanaian-American Coretta Owusu, whose father owns the business. She worked for this Obama during the campaign and then moved to Ghana to work for this one. It's a budget conscious hotel featuring 18 themed rooms priced at $60 to $100.
OWUSU: And this room is the Obama suite. Most people stay here if they come for a special occasion or they're coming with their family. Well we have Michelle Obama right next to Barack Obama. Across from Obama it's Joe Biden's room.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: And in case you never make it to the White House, you can always stay in the Lincoln bedroom here. They're not just politically themed rooms. At Hotel Obama you can stops all through the President's life by staying in rooms like Harvard, or the Chicago Room. Even though this Obama was inaugurated less than a week ago, it's already the talk of the town.
ANTWI BAFFOUR, HOTEL GUEST: A moment in time when the U.S. president come to Ghana and suddenly hearing that there's a hotel by name Hotel Obama. So...
OWUSU: People just love the idea that the name, that the hotel is named Obama.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: In fact Ghanaians are so taken with the new American president they're naming lots of things after him. Everywhere he goes people tell 12-year-old Felix Agiyaba-Afreeye (sp?) he bears a striking resemblance to a certain American politician. What part of you do you think looks most like?
FELIX AGIYABA-AFREEYE: Oh everywhere.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: Tell me like where.
AGIYABA-AFREEYE: My ears. My eyes. My nose. My mouth. The way I smile.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: Even the way he writes. Felix is a lefty, just like the President. How do you feel when people tell you that you look like Obama?
AGIYABAAFREEYE: I feel wonderful and great.
SCHIAVOCAMPO: President Obama won't be staying at his name sake hotel during his visit, but in this nation, he'll be greeted everywhere, as the guest of honor. Now, along with the excitement there is a little bit of frustration here that Obama is not holding a big public event like Clinton did during his visit. People here really want a chance to get to see him and they're disappointed that for the most part he's gonna be kept behind closed doors. Meredith?
VIEIRA: Alright Mara Schiavocampo, thank you very much.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.





SCHIAVOCAMPO: In fact Ghanaians are so taken with the new American president they're naming lots of things after him. Everywhere he goes people tell 12-year-old Felix Agiyaba-Afreeye (sp?) he bears a striking resemblance to a certain American politician. What part of you do you think looks most like? 














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Comments Policy
For a cool $500 a night,
July 10, 2009 - 11:56 ET by Roger the ShrubberFor a cool $500 a night, you can stay in the jewel of the hotel, the "GoonieGooGoo Room", where you will be served and groomed by Wookies who are, for once, proud of their country.
Vacancy
July 10, 2009 - 12:02 ET by OhmingMaybe Obama will move there, nah they already have a faxcimile of obamanomics in place.
Well...
July 10, 2009 - 12:14 ET by StarAZIt is the continent of his birth--oops, was I not supposed to tell?
SA... Don't ask ...Don't
July 10, 2009 - 13:12 ET by bigtimerSA...
Don't ask ...Don't tell.
Your post went where my mind went first with ...other than pass the barf-bags out.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
LOL
July 10, 2009 - 13:28 ET by StarAZThe barf bag is a constant--keep it in arm's reach. Or at least a wastebasket.
Obumbler really needed this...
July 10, 2009 - 12:48 ET by JTPHis self assurance was on a down slide and really needed this pick-me-up.
"Live for yourself...there's no one else more worth living for.
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more"- Rush--Anthem
2 things: What is the
July 10, 2009 - 12:50 ET by rwesley2 things:
What is the carbon footprint of Hotel Barry and will they have special shampoo for hair plugs in the Biden room?
"And this room is the Obama
July 10, 2009 - 13:15 ET by sic721"And this room is the Obama suite. Most people stay here if they feel like getting (be polite) screwed."
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." -Margaret Thatcher
Elderly guests should be
July 10, 2009 - 13:23 ET by SickofLibsElderly guests should be aware that the only entry to the Obama Suite is thru a window.
And the Biden Suite is actually the broom closet.
Overpriced and overrated
July 10, 2009 - 13:16 ET by nkviking75The Hotel Obama is undoubtedly way overpriced and way overrated.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Only fitting, as Obama is
July 10, 2009 - 13:24 ET by Ten7sOnly fitting, as Obama is trying to turn America into Ghana.
I heard obami was
July 10, 2009 - 13:25 ET by ConservativeRexI heard obami was mis-quoted. What he meant to say was 'go to Pizza Hut so we can tear up some food'. But what came out was "go to my brothers hut and tear it down for good'. Simple mistake.
Welcome to the Hotel B. Obama ...
July 10, 2009 - 13:27 ET by metaphorsbwithuWhat a metaphor for those who register and sign on for President Obama's All Intrusive Big Government Socialist agenda!
Relax, said the night man,
We are programmed to receive.
You can checkout any time you like,
But you can never leave!
Credit for the lyrics goes, of course, to Eagles - Hotel California.
Hope you enjoy the mints under your pillow. ;-)
metaphorsbwithu
The lounge is named after Biden as well...
July 10, 2009 - 13:32 ET by NortonalecIt is called "The Gaffe Room"
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."~David St. Hubbins
They named the place he was
July 10, 2009 - 15:12 ET by deerjerkydaveThey named the place he was born after him? Oops!
Wait, that was Kenya, according to his Kenyan relatives.
The New Gitmo?
July 10, 2009 - 15:56 ET by CobraManI see Obama finally found a place to send those Gitmo detainees.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
OPPS wrong African Country
July 10, 2009 - 16:02 ET by upcountrywaterTry your BIRTHPLACE , OHH , king of the czars
Nyang’oma-Kogelo
Village, in Kenya’s Siaya district, is the home of Mr. Obama’s father, and its
residents claim his son as their own.
Soo maybe you will be liked as much as Bush in another country in Africa .. So is Tanzania on the list to visit? Oh well MAYBE NOT..Don't want to see any of these
I have a friend from Ghana, I'm going to ask him what the folk there thought of the OAF's visit...
Reagan VS Liberalism
Congress
July 10, 2009 - 16:16 ET by RukusOur congress critters are gonna love Hotel Obama's hourly rates when they visit! : o
Gary
I want my country back!
Are there laundry
July 10, 2009 - 17:58 ET by MaideneerAre there laundry facilities on site to wash away the disgusting feeling one might get after staying a night?
What's the name of the hotel bar...Socialized Medicine?
Do all conference rooms come teleprompter ready?
Where roaches check in, but
July 10, 2009 - 16:56 ET by Kat Outta the BagWhere roaches check in, but they don't check out.
Where are the Ghana Hotel Unions in this charade?
July 10, 2009 - 17:18 ET by gopcongressAre the Hotel Obama workers being paid living wages? Are they allowed to unionize? Do they all have mandated comprehensive health care?
Inquiring minds wanna know...
______________________
Moderate... Democrat... Liberal... Progressive... Socialist... Communist—The progression is clear as day.
Do they have a linen czar?
July 10, 2009 - 18:09 ET by Kat Outta the BagDo they have a linen czar?
HOME
July 10, 2009 - 17:56 ET by b4m4wyI hear he likes to call this home. Ahhhhh, how ironic.
Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.
Ronald Reagan
There is an incongruity in
July 10, 2009 - 21:26 ET by RR GOPThere is an incongruity in such blatant capitalism associated with Dear Leader's name.
Also,I bet he couldn't hold down a job there as a room cleaner.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
I see nothing wrong with the NBC "Today" show highlighting the
July 11, 2009 - 12:24 ET by Rush Fanhotel named for President Obama. NBC was just pointing out the symbolism that naming a hotel for President Obama represents.
Wikipedia defines symbolism as:
We use symbolism in our everyday life. As an example, I have a pet cockatiel that I named "baby", as it reminds me of a little baby. Just like the nice people in Ghana who named a hotel for Barack Obama, I can think of a number of things I also would name for President Barack Obama.
For example, if I had a pet pig (I don't), I would name it for President Obama, as it represents the piggish spending of his administration. Additionally, if I had a picture of a Hammer and sickle representing a Communist state (I don't), I would most definitely call it a "Barack Obama."
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Read the WSJ article titled Liberal Discontent and the Spies Next Door by Harry Stein (who wrote "I Can't Believe I'm Sitting Next to a Republican") for insight into the emotion-fueled world of liberalism.
Welcome to the Hotel Obama
July 11, 2009 - 12:54 ET by Chris Norman"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..."
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Ha Chris -- we crossed posts
July 11, 2009 - 13:05 ET by Jack BauerHa Chris -- we crossed posts as I was just refining the Eagles to today's hard-listening music!
Jack, Heh-heh. Great
July 11, 2009 - 13:25 ET by Chris NormanJack,
Heh-heh. Great minds and all.. Of course, I know your creativity would lead you to post a much more fleshed-out and elaborate spoof. I was thinking that "mirrors on the ceiling and pink champagne on ice" were more relevant to Clinton, but hey, there was no Hotel Clinton as far as I know. :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris~
July 11, 2009 - 14:42 ET by Kat Outta the Bag"I was thinking that "mirrors on the ceiling and pink champagne on ice" were more relevant to Clinton, but hey, there was no Hotel Clinton as far as I know. :)"
If there was, it'd have hourly rates.
Kat, Maybe it's at the
July 11, 2009 - 16:21 ET by Chris NormanKat,
Maybe it's at the Clinton Library and Porn House. :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
You're welcome to the Hotel Barack Obama
July 11, 2009 - 13:03 ET by Jack BauerJack, Then he lit up a
July 11, 2009 - 13:09 ET by hydrodynDMJack,
Now that was funny.