On Wednesday’s CBS Early Show correspondent Chip Reid reported on President Obama’s first day in Britain: "Arriving at 10 Downing Street this morning, the President and First Lady were warmly greeted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah. They posed for a hoard of photographers who shouted for the President, who is hugely popular here, to give them another wave...Then a short walk across the street for a press conference where Mr. Obama was showered with praise."
A clip was played of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown offering that "praise": "Your first 70 days in office have changed America, and you've changed America's relationship with the world." Reid then added: "After cementing relations between the two close allies, the President said he's confident this summit will help ease the global economic crisis."
Reid began his report with breaking news, touting a possible nuclear arms reduction agreement between the United States and Russia: "At this very moment, President Obama is meeting with Russian President Dimitri Medvedev and White House officials say they will soon announce a diplomatic breakthrough. Opening negotiations on a new treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenals. Some very good news for President Obama as he begins this high stakes summit."
Following Reid’s report, co-host Harry Smith spoke with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, who was in London with the President: "Let's talk about President Obama's meeting right now with Medvedev. U.S.-Russian relations have soured over the last couple of years. What specifically is on their agenda, and how hopeful is the United States?" Couric praised the meeting: "Well, it looks like those relations are actually improving even as we speak, Harry."
Later, Couric reported on Obama’s upcoming meeting with Queen Elizabeth and warned of past presidential gaffes in such meetings, citing Republican presidents: "[The Queen’s] met with every president since Harry Truman and many of them, by the way, have committed a few faux pas along the way. The first President Bush apparently sat before Queen Elizabeth, which was a real no-no. But my favorite story was at a state dinner during the Ford administration, when the Queen started to dance, the Marine band started playing ‘That's Why the Lady is a Tramp.’"
Smith then referenced a segment from Tuesday’s Evening News in which Couric described those presidential faux pas: "...you had a great piece on the Evening News last night about all those meetings with the president. And, of course, seeing George Bush 43 winking at Queen Elizabeth might have been a highlight as well." Couric replied: "Yeah, apparently she wasn't really digging that."
Here is the full transcript of the segment:
7:00AM TEASE:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: Breaking news, President Obama meets the leaders of Britain and Russia this morning in an attempt to jump-start the global economy.
BARACK OBAMA: We must not miss an opportunity to lead. To confront a crisis that knows no borders. We have a responsibility to coordinate our actions and to focus on common ground.
7:01AM TEASE:
HARRY SMITH: Well, all eyes are on London this morning. The big G-20 is just about to get under way there. The President met with the British prime minister this morning and there is news this morning as President Obama is meeting with the Russian President Medvedev that there will, in fact, be work on a new treaty on reducing nuclear warheads. That's going on even as we speak. Katie Couric is in London where she broadcast the Evening News last night. We'll have a report from her in a few seconds.
7:02AM SEGMENT:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: But first this morning, the G-20 summit in London isn't officially underway yet and President Obama already has a full day of meetings with world leaders. CBS News chief White House correspondent Chip Reid is with the President. Chip, good morning.
CHIP REID: Well, good morning, Maggie. At this very moment, President Obama is meeting with Russian President Dimitri Medvedev and White House officials say they will soon announce a diplomatic breakthrough. Opening negotiations on a new treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenals. Some very good news for President Obama as he begins this high stakes summit. Arriving at 10 Downing Street this morning, the President and First Lady were warmly greeted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah. They posed for a hoard of photographers who shouted for the President, who is hugely popular here, to give them another wave. Inside, they were joined by top advisers for a meeting to prepare for the G-20 economic summit. Then a short walk across the street for a press conference where Mr. Obama was showered with praise.
GORDON BROWN: Your first 70 days in office have changed America, and you've changed America's relationship with the world.
REID: After cementing relations between the two close allies, the President said he's confident this summit will help ease the global economic crisis.
BARACK OBAMA: I came here to put forward our ideas, but I also came here to listen, not to lecture. Having said that, we must not miss an opportunity to lead.
REID: Later today, the President has his first face-to-face meetings with the Presidents of China and Russia. Mr. Obama's diplomatic skills could be tested by two nations that are increasingly challenging U.S. dominance on the world stage. This evening, the President takes a bit of a break from high-stakes diplomacy when he comes here to Buckingham Palace, with the First Lady, for a intimate meeting with the Queen. Harry, back to you.
HARRY SMITH: Chip Reid in London this morning. Thank you so much. There is tension in London this morning as there are a number protesters in London protesting against the meeting of the G-20. These are the most powerful economies in the world. We're looking at a live picture right now. There's been some to and fro. Apparently there have been several arrests already. Security is very, very, very tight in London. And we want to check in right now with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric who is live there this morning. Good morning, Katie.
KATIE COURIC: Harry, good morning to you. I was looking at those same helicopter shots of the streets filled with protesters. There's been a lot of speculation that thousands of demonstrators were expected to descend upon London during this G-20 summit. Many of them experiencing the same populist anger that we've seen in the United States against the banks, that the government isn't doing enough for the poor, against the rising unemployment rate. Many of the problems that are being felt in the United States are obviously being felt here in Great Britain as well. And I think you are seeing evidence of that with so many people hitting the streets during the summit.
SMITH: Yeah. Let's talk about President Obama's meeting right now with Medvedev. U.S.-Russian relations have soured over the last couple of years. What specifically is on their agenda, and how hopeful is the United States?
COURIC: Well, it looks like those relations are actually improving even as we speak, Harry. The Russian president has said he wants to support President Obama and the two are reportedly talking about working together on Afghanistan, that Russia might be helpful in dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions, and also, both countries, as you mentioned earlier, want to reduce their nuclear arsenals. So there's also some talk, Harry, that they may set a date for a future summit between these two countries.
SMITH: The other issue, as this thing has been, you know, sort of coming to -- the meeting hasn't even really begun yet, but there's been all this conversation about Germany doesn't want to do this, Sarkozy has talked about maybe even walking out if the agenda isn't exactly -- or sort of the conclusions of their meeting aren't to his liking. What are the tensions like leading up to this G-20?
COURIC: You know, I spoke with the British Finance Minister Alistair Darling about that very thing this morning, Harry. And he said there -- of course, there are bound to be differences, but it's very true. There are major philosophical differences between the U.S. and many of the other members of the G-20. President Obama's following FDR's New Deal approach by trying to pump more cash into the system, but the Germans and the French worry that putting even more money into their economies could cause prices and inflation to go sky-high. And there were some rumblings, Harry, that French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants the G-20 to agree on very strict international financial regulations, something that isn't that appealing to the U.S. And he's reportedly threatened to walk out of the summit. But we don't know if that's really true or just a bit of grand-standing on the part of Sarkozy.
SMITH: And finally, along with that there is some pomp and circumstance, and the Obamas are heading to Buckingham Palace?
COURIC: That's right. Yes, they have a meeting with the Queen this afternoon. The Queen has met, I think, 11 U.S. presidents so far, with the exception of LBJ. He was busy with Vietnam. She was busy having babies. But she's met with every president since Harry Truman and many of them, by the way, have committed a few faux pas along the way. The first President Bush apparently sat before Queen Elizabeth, which was a real no-no. But my favorite story was at a state dinner during the Ford administration, when the Queen started to dance, the Marine band started playing 'That's Why the Lady is a Tramp.' So you really have to watch your p's and q's. But President Obama's apparently very excited about meeting with the Queen. And according to Prime Minister Brown, she very excited to meet him as well.
SMITH: Well there's -- you had a great piece on the Evening News last night about all those meetings with the president. And, of course, seeing George Bush 43 winking at Queen Elizabeth might have been a highlight as well.
COURIC: Yes, yes.
SMITH: Katie, we'll look forward to seeing-
COURIC: Yeah, apparently she wasn't really digging that.
[LAUGHTER]
RODRIGUEZ: That's exactly what you said, 'I ain't digging that.'
SMITH: 'I ain't digging that.' We will see you tonight on the Evening News. Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. Do appreciate it.
COURIC: Okay, nice to talk to you guys.
RODRIGUEZ: Bye, Katie.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The President
April 1, 2009 - 12:21 ET by UpNorththen walked to 10 Downing Street, waving a piece of white paper, declaring, "this will mean peace in our time".
If Amy Crackhouse and Obama
April 1, 2009 - 12:28 ET by SickofLibsIf Amy Crackhouse and Obama both walked out of a hotel at the same time and one went left and one right, who do you think the British paps would follow?
And to Harriet Smith: I believe it is "Pimp and Circumstance."
American's don't bow to kings or queens
April 1, 2009 - 12:31 ET by freecitizenWho cares about proper deference to the queen. She's not OUR queen. We fought a war to make that so. All men are created equal, even you Lizzy. I feel the same way about our president. He is not a king, merely an office holder and a public servant. The best I will give him is first among equals.
Why?
April 1, 2009 - 12:50 ET by cvgbuckeyeWhy is Der Fuhrer so popular in Europe? Why was Der Fuhrer so popular in the U S and why was Der Fuhrer elected to the presidency?
What were Der Fuhrer's accomplishments before being elected and what have they been afterward except to be worshiped by the MSM and jokes like Olbermann, Matthews, Cafferty, Blitzer, balboa and other such rocket scientists who couldn't even carry George Bush's or Dick Cheney's jock straps on their worst days and don't even have a grain of salt of the class and integrity of George Bush or Dick Cheney?
Who would you most want to be with you in a foxhole if you were under severe fire and your survival was in doubt: Bush/Cheney? or Olbermann/Matthews/Cafferty/Blitzer/balboa?
Looks like Uhbama's right
April 1, 2009 - 12:43 ET by HockeyKidLooks like Uhbama's right on track for making those "Welcome Back, Carter" t-shirts downright prophetic.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
The Queen Will Curtsey to Michele
April 1, 2009 - 12:50 ET by allanfChip you may have missed this one, but I hear rumors that the Queen plans to curtsey to Michele and Barack. Perhaps they will even be knighted.
She best curtsey. If she
April 1, 2009 - 13:00 ET by SeashellShe best curtsey. If she doesn't, there will be hell to pay for her.
You wouldn't think so if
April 1, 2009 - 12:53 ET by kgYou wouldn't think so if you seen the masses in the streets.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
To be fair, Couric offered up a more balanced spot here.
April 1, 2009 - 12:57 ET by Gary HallTo be fair, Kyle, Couric offered up a surprisingly more balanced spot here: The Queen, Presidents And Protocol. Couric takes a jab at Bill Clinton, who is found to be chasing after a much younger and more attractive target, and gives Pres. Reagan rather high marks (without any details). Naturally enough she presents that Obama is expected to shine, and naturally enough Couric didn't wonder out loud if he was going to give her a DVD copy of "Lady and the Tramp."
(;~> gary
It's the 70's all over again
April 1, 2009 - 13:07 ET by SlyrrThe only difference now is that instead of Reagan, we've got Obama. Instead of our government opposing and refusing a system that has butched more people than Hitler ever dreamed possible, they're embracing it.
This will not end well people - the Russians are smiling and nodding, and Obama is falling for it hook line and sinker just like the cowards and surrender-mongers of the left always do.
Did Obama save Georgia when the Russians invaded? He didn't do a dang thing. Totalitarian butchers, terrorists and tyrants are gonna go hog wild all across the globe and Obama won't do a thing to stop them...
Did Barry bring a DVD player with him?
April 1, 2009 - 13:30 ET by c5thenSo that G. Brown and the Queen can watch those 25 DVDs of American classic movies that he presented the PM with on his visit last month.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
Even better!
April 1, 2009 - 13:58 ET by northoneNo - he presented the Queen with an I-Pod! Too bad she already had one!
Here's What Happens When He Forgets to Pack the Teleprompter
April 1, 2009 - 13:56 ET by northoneAt the end of a press conference with Gordon Brown, our illustrious president was quoted (from The Telegraph, UK):
"There's one last thing that I should mention that I love about Great Britain, and that is the Queen. And so I'm very much looking forward to meeting her for the first time later this evening. And as you might imagine, Michelle has been really thinking that through--because I think in the imagination of people throughout America, I think what the Queen stands for and her decency and her civility, what she represents, that's very important."
Then, at Buckingham Palace, they proceeded to present the Queen with an I-Pod loaded with video footage and photographs of the Queen's 2007 visit to the United States.
Clearly worded sentences? Coherent thoughts? A gift her magesty will no doubt treasure for the rest of her life?
It's such a proud day for America!!
THAT IS HORRIBLE!
April 1, 2009 - 14:00 ET by sherylsimsThat didn't even make any sense!!! And to think that most of what he gets praised for is his speaking ability!! It is laughable only I stopped laughing months ago.
It is comparable to saying that Michelle is a fashion icon.
What a sight!
April 1, 2009 - 14:16 ET by IamTinmanThe USA and the UK, two nations that in the real world would have to declare bankruptcy, desperately trying to convince the rest of the world to follow them down the path to financial ruin.
The governments of Russia and China must be hysterical!
The press is our chief ideological weapon.”
Nikita Khrushchev quote
I heard enough of the
April 1, 2009 - 14:23 ET by bigtimerI heard enough of the drooling and droning on about this earlier today...
I don't care how many talking heads blather on about these two people, you can't buy class...no matter how hard they try to spin it...these two have none....
Zero, zilch, nada.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Amen BT
April 1, 2009 - 14:26 ET by sherylsimsYou summed it up. No amount of money or position or power will give class to those who have none.
Hi sheryl... Speaking of
April 1, 2009 - 14:36 ET by bigtimerHi sheryl...
Speaking of no class...I have the television silent, it is on the Fox Business Channel, I just glanced up after posting and lo and behold there is Michele and O walking somewhere to get a photo-op with somebody, another couple, anyway, she is in a white TANK TOP tucked into a black skirt....I cannot believe how shallow that is...talk about NO CLASS...and she did not look good in it either, I'm not saying that because she is a leftist, I am saying this because it looked awful on her body, let alone it is totally tasteless in the setting she is in...let alone it is NOT Summer time.
Brainless...totally brain-dead.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Yeah, but.....
April 1, 2009 - 14:44 ET by northoneC'mon! What do any of us understand about fashion? The woman is an icon, a walking testimonial to well-developed biceps. How could she possibly show the world her shapely arms if she were to wear something with sleeves? More importantly, Michelle has been on the cover of Vogue magazine. That has to mean she knows what's fashionable. Maybe she can even encourage Queen Elizabeth to try something a little daring - show some arms and shoulders. Afterall, no one in the world knows more about fashion that our first lady!
It really seems more and
April 1, 2009 - 15:32 ET by sherylsimsIt really seems more and more like the case of the Emperor on parade butt naked.
BT
April 1, 2009 - 14:38 ET by SeashellYou're right. They have no class, but you would think that someone who works around them would have at least a smidgen? Maybe they are just afraid to question them.
I can't figure this out to save the life of me.
Seashell and others...they
April 1, 2009 - 15:32 ET by bigtimerSeashell and others...they are embarassing all the way around in my opinion.
The people here that should be embarrassed are the people who voted for them...they are the people resposible for this tastless, classless couple representing the USA..
Not us.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Just ask
April 1, 2009 - 16:32 ET by northoneYou're right, Seashell. They should definitely leave the gift-selecting to class acts like Bawny Fwank, James Carville, or any the tax-dodging officials who make up the administration.
This guy really embarrasses me
April 1, 2009 - 15:25 ET by The Smokin FrogWhat I want to know is who the heck is picking these cheap gifts for our British friends? Dvds for Gordon Brown, an Ipod for the Queen? Come on. Obama has the mind and taste of a street punk. It's bad enough we're being turned in to a Marxist country, but a little more respect for the heads of other countries would be nice to retain in our misery. Shiesh! This guy really embarrasses me.
TSF Protests!
OMG Obama is going to
April 1, 2009 - 16:00 ET by eaglewingz08OMG Obama is going to denuclearize the US forces for promises by Putin to do same. The Apocalypse is coming even faster than predicted.
We Give What We Can Afford
April 1, 2009 - 16:07 ET by northoneNow, now. We are in a serious economic recession - it's truly a crisis. Americans are losing their homes. They cannot make their car payments (which the government will now take care of). Joblessness is rampant. I'm sure the Queen will understand that the United States of America could only afford a $50 I-Pod as a formal gift from the President of the United States.
Poor Rush... He just
April 1, 2009 - 16:22 ET by JerPoor Rush...
He just couldn't stand that Gordon Brown had some generous words to say about Obama. So Limbaugh tastefully observed if Brown contiuned the "slobbering" over OBama, he would come down with "anal poisoning" and maybe "die from it".
More class from the "national treasure" of the Republican party. Bill Buckley must be spinning in his grave.
Jer
He's a real gem.
April 1, 2009 - 16:26 ET by balboaHe's a real gem.
Talking about
April 1, 2009 - 18:32 ET by UpNorthclass, no comments on the I-Pod, or the first "lady" appearing in a tank top? No?
As far as Mr. Brown goes, if he was any kind of leader, he would have returned the DVD's with a scathing note to the giver.
So, Jer, which is classier, a private citizen making a comment he's allowed to make, or a political party using the power of state and federal government to try to destroy a private individual, ala JTP and Rush? And, Rush has said time and again, he's not the "treasure" of the Republican party, he's a conservative who happens to be a Republican.
You had a problem with what
April 1, 2009 - 20:06 ET by balboaYou had a problem with what the first lady had on?
Of course not!
April 1, 2009 - 21:42 ET by northoneThe sleeveless white T-shirt looked great (if she was on her way to the gym to pump weights to keep her oh-so-toned biceps looking sharp). However, she was representing the United States of America at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Great Britain. The lady needs some lessons in protocol and etiquette.
Of course she does...
April 2, 2009 - 09:39 ET by balboaOf course she does...
British PM Recovering from G20 Incident
April 1, 2009 - 19:45 ET by rsgNews Flash!...
British PM Recovering from G20 Incident
April 1, 2009, 7:30PM
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is recovering from an incident in which he nearly suffocated during the joint news conference with President Obama at the G20 conference.
During his address to the press, Prime Minister Brown said “President Obama, you have given renewed hope not only to the citizens of the United States of America, but to all citizens in all part of the world. And I want to thank you for your leadership, your vision and your courage, which you've already shown in your presidency, and congratulate you on the dynamism, the energy and, indeed, the achievements that you have been responsible for.”
Apparently, following this statement, Brown’s head became lodged in President Obama’s rectum and his breathing was severely restricted. Paramedics responded quickly and extracted Brown’s head from the Presidential colon just moments before Brown lost consciousness. The Prime Minister is now resting comfortably.
President Obama, when asked about the incident, responded, “I didn’t even notice him back there.” The President and the First Lady both expressed concern for the British head of state. The First Lady ordered an aide to have an assistant tell someone nearby to buy a few coloring books from the hospital gift shop and present them as a get-well gift to the recovering Prime Minister. An un-named source at the hospital claims the Obama’s forgot to include crayons in the gift.
April Fools (but just barely)
:rsg:
rsg.... Talk about a
April 1, 2009 - 19:55 ET by bigtimerrsg....
Talk about a 'Spew Alert'!
.....You had me ROFLMAO!
I'm still having a hard time typing this out I'm laughing so hard!
Thank YOU!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I'm a sucker for good
April 1, 2009 - 20:51 ET by celatorI'm a sucker for good parody.....great job!
"I didn't even notice him back there"... LOL
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Thanks
April 2, 2009 - 09:10 ET by rsg(queue bad Elvis impersonation)
Thank-ya, thank-ya ver' much!
:)
The world is ready...
April 1, 2009 - 20:40 ET by Wesenfor the Anti-Christ.
Anyone who weakens America
April 2, 2009 - 00:09 ET by RR GOPAnyone who weakens America is worthy of the adulation of many Europeans...many Americans, too come to think of it...
Hopefully, they won't need to be saved from any fellow European tyrants anytime soon, because I fear that they will be $hit out of luck.
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!?).
Hold that package!
April 2, 2009 - 02:27 ET by chaosmongerWhen Obama gets back to the White House, he is going to see if that bust of W. Churchill has shipped yet. If it hadn't, then he still has time to slip the autographed photo of the Queen's family into the container with the bust of Mr. Churchill. Gotta save money in these dire financial times.