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Obama meets Brown, Blair, says foreign tour no victory lap (Roundup)
Jul 26, 2008, 13:02 GMT

Presumptive U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (L) and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R) walk on Horse Guards Parade on 26 July 2008 in London, England. Senator Obama has spent the day meeting with British political leaders in London and will fly back to the US later. EPA/PETER MACDIARMID / POOL
London - US presidential contender Barack Obama Saturday rejected charges that he had exploited his trip to Berlin, Paris and London for his own election campaign, denying the five-day tour was a premature 'victory lap.'
It is part of the job of a United States president to establish effective relations with our allies, Obama told reporters in London after meeting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Answering a reporter who had asked him to respond to Republican accusations that the had embarked on a 'victory lap' abroad, Obama pointed out it was Republican candidate John McCain who had advised him to travel abroad and visit Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Democrat argued his tour had been important, because he was 'convinced' America was facing problems 'at home' which could not be solved 'without strong partners' abroad, Obama said.
Obama described his conversation with Brown as 'terrific.' His talks in London are the final stage of a trip aimed at enhancing his foreign affairs image, which had led him also to Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, the Palestinian areas, Berlin and Paris.
At Downing Street 10, he reiterated his call for increasing the number of US troops in Afghanistan as well as for stronger contributions by European allies. Those stronger numbers were needed to win the conflict in Afghanistan and build the country, he said.
The Illinois senator noted the traditionally exceptionally strong ties between Great Britain and the US. 'I think there is a deep and abiding affection for the British people in America and a fascination with all things British. That's not going to go away any time soon,' he said. He was answering a question about his more public appearances in Berlin and Paris.
In Berlin Thursday, Obama had made a lengthy foreign policy address to an enthusiastic crowd of some 200,000 in the city centre.
His London visit by contrast was low key, and unlike in Berlin and in Paris, where he had had talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy Friday, Obama only answered journalists' questions.
Observers said there was a desire in Britain not to seem to favour either Obama or his Republican Party presidential challenger John McCain, who visited Britain last March.
Deviating from the protocol, and to the surprise of tourists and Londoners, Obama and Brown took a stroll down cordoned-off Downing street. Onlookers, who were nonetheless held at a distance by security forces, were able to photograph the two politicians on the nearby parade ground.
Obama had earlier Saturday morning held a breakfast meeting at his London hotel with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, now the special Middle East envoy for the international mediating bloc of the US, United Nations, Russia and European Union. Their talks focussed principally on the Middle East, but also on Blair's work on climate change, a spokesman said.
Obama was also meeting Saturday with British opposition Conservative party leader David Cameron.

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Older Talkback
page: 1
Wow, the above was certainly BS for BO. I prefer BO = BM. Brother Obama = Brother Mugabe. Since when is a white country run by a black man? Are black countries run by white men? And he's for what God is against - abortion, sodomy, women's lib and minorities.
Ah, but the curse for disobedience to God is the tail becoming the head, the stranger amongst us getting high above us. So yes, BO will probably get in and there will be change. Let's see how he finishes off America.
And speaking of BS - sounds like the first poster doesn't have total claim on that! If Obama is elected, he will be under tougher scrutiny than any other President before him, as would Hillary have been. The downfall of this country would be his opponents trying their best to stop anything he proposes regardless of how beneficial it would be. I think he's up for it!
As far as black countries run by white men - ever hear of South Africa and apartheid?
Ever hear of a mixed race country run by a Black/White man?
'I had a dream, and it was of a rainbow spread in an arc across this colorful nation.'
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patriotJul 26th, 2008 - 14:53:51
Barack Obama as next President of The United States of America
The die is cast and for reasons that only a privileged few know, you Sir, will be the next President of the United States of America. Your next 4 years will be a turning point in US history and planet earth. CHANGE, your advisors and high stake investors offer the nation will undoubtedly be the same rhetoric and empty promises that make up a political campaign, that campaigns for appointment for any public office in America.
The White House will be the Black House to some, the Aryan Brothers of America will not be so happy, but yet will blame you and your staff if you fail, which will reinforce their belief that the Aryan Nation is the true leader for America. The religious zealots will be busy bees making nests to survive the onslaught of lies, corruption and deceit. Business enterprises and other competing nations will capitalize off of your inexperience in the art of corruption and murder. The organized crime organizations from different nations including our own will benefit from the lack of control over national crime.
Military governments including our own will test your tolerance to pain and deception and trick you into needless and profitable domestic and international conflict. You will no doubt attempt to colorize your staff to soften the race conflict once in office.
As President you will be President. Nations will respect you only for your title of office. Americans will soon see after your appointment as President that your intentions were manipulated by those that make the rules. You will fill the spot in history as planned, and nothing more.
You will never while in office be able to pull the troops from conflict in any land we are engaged in. As a matter of fact we as a nation will be engaged in a new conflict of war, which will galvanize Americans to seek a different form of government and a different and honest Congress.
You will attempt to shore up Americas problems with false promise and lies, because you cannot directly affect the CHANGE you promised.
Your frustration will be your downfall while in office, and your co-dependence on those that you trust will also add to your demise.
Our Armed Forces in rank will respect you as good soldiers they are, but those under them will not, and for good reasons, that only a good soldier knows.
America will not be America until its government respects the People, and tells the truth. America is a Republic, not a Democracy or Fascist Government or is it?
Until you can walk thru the streets and neighborhoods of America unaided by Secret Service or any other law enforcement agency you will not be respected by the many, only by the fearful and selfish few. Americans can protect their leaders if they are honest and respectful of the people they were elected to serve. Our Government has forsaken us for many hundreds of years, and now we will wait until your 4 years are finished for us to come to fruition.
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
The American Republic
A Sovereign Republic
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