Obama, President of the United Kingdom
Since Barack Obama’s touchdown the British media has covered his waking hours with as much veracity as if it had been the arrival of the Messiah.
Undoubtedly, Obama is captivating, but to view the British news coverage would be to believe that he had garnered the powers of all world leaders and morphed into a one-man international power entity.
The political Superman, in effect.
On a personal level it is the European leaders that are of most interest: the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her straight-talking fiscal sagacity; French President Nicolas Sarkozy who oozes control and stubbornness in equal measure; and dear Berlusconi whom I am convinced if touched by the British drizzle will dissolve into a puddle of hair-plugs in a manner akin to the Wicked Witch of the West.
That, or persist in emitting political and social bloopers that render Prince Philip the height of tact.
Nevertheless, amidst the sycophantic coverage has been a momentary gem, captured during an ITN vox-pop with two siblings, aged perhaps 3 and 5 years.
The youngest gurgled Michelle Obama’s name a few times, before the journalist turned to his sister and asked her: “And who is Michelle Obama married to?”
To which she pondered, then declared: “Michelle Obama is married to the President. The President of…of… the United… [final flourish] The United Kingdom!”
As the old adage runs: “out of the mouths of babes”.
Ya Lateef. The media is in lurve.
Someone forgot to tell him that he is in the United Kingdom, not just England. That got my Scotch/Welsh gander up.
Never assume that the media’s fascination for Obama is the same as the people of this country. The reality is, the news media is as removed from the day to day happenings in this country as the politicians are. If you want to know what the people of the UK really think, then I suggest remaining on the blogosphere, given this is one of the few places where we can still voice our views without state inteference!
Kinzi: Haha! Yes, there always will be devolutionary banter, but the reality is that international political life is very much centralised in London. Some thing’s never will change.
UK Voter: Words of wisdom indeed. The blogosphere is rapidly becoming a veritable barometer of public sentiment. The press is falling by the wayside when it comes to authentic portrayals of British opinions.