Obama's Private Talk With Tory Leader David Cameron Caught On Mic: "You Should Be On The Beach. You Need A Break"

LONDON — Barack Obama endorses making time for thinking in the White House.

As the Democratic candidate for president chatted with Tory Leader David Cameron at the Houses of Parliament on Saturday, a boom microphone used by reporters caught their discussion. It was unclear whether Obama and Cameron knew how much of their conversation others could hear.

Obama and Cameron talked casually about the demands of high office, according to a transcript provided to reporters.

CAMERON: You should be on the beach. You need a break. Well, you need to be able to keep your head together.

OBAMA: You've got to refresh yourself.

CAMERON: Do you have a break at all?

OBAMA: I have not. I am going to take a week in August. But I agree with you that somebody, somebody who had worked in the White House who _ not Clinton himself, but somebody who had been close to the process _ said that, should we be successful, that actually the most important thing you need to do is to have big chunks of time during the day when all you're doing is thinking. And the biggest mistake that a lot of these folks make is just feeling as if you have to be ...

CAMERON: These guys just chalk your diary up.

OBAMA: Right. ... In 15 minute increments and ...

CAMERON: We call it the dentist waiting room. You have to scrap that because you've got to have time.

OBAMA: And, well, and you start making mistakes or you lose the big picture. Or you lose a sense of, I think you lose a feel ...

CAMERON: Your feeling. And that is exactly what politics is all about. The judgment you bring to make decisions.

OBAMA: That's exactly right. And the truth is that we've got a bunch of smart people, I think, who know 10 times more than we do about the specifics of the topics. And so if what you're trying to do is micromanage and solve everything then you end up being a dilettante, but you have to have enough knowledge to make good judgments about the choices that are presented to you.

(This version CORRECTS to show their chat took place amid pool coverage and that Obama and Cameron were aware of reporters nearby.)

Comments

[indypete]

What a novel idea... surround yourself with actual experts and listen to what they say instead of surrounding yourself with yes-men and lobbyists and listening to how they can make some extra profit at the taxpayers' expense.

[openhand]

Tories and the beach, reminds me of the fact the the 1st world spends more money on suncream than on emergency aid to the 3rd world, more money getting a darker skin!

[S1m0n]

"You Should Be On The Beach. You Need A Break"

With the week Brown's just had, and the months he's been having before it, he's most likely talking about himself.

[maribelle1963]

He's not talking to Brown, he's talking to Tory Leader David Cameron.

[barrista]

Sounds like you need a break, your reading skills are fading.

[PingMama]

There is no President in history who was "prepared" for the job. The key is surrounding yourself with the experts, including those that don't agree with you, work through the facts, and use sound judgment to make decisions.

Lincoln and Kennedy both had cabinet positions filled with the opposite party. I think that's a great idea rather than what Bushie did; have nothing but 'yes' men and women.

[soundfury]

This is a perfect example of the media/press trying to catch O off guard in a "gaffe". They probably snooped in his room when he left his hotel. Anything, anyyyyything at all to say "gotcha" and run it for weeks on end until November. Instead they got nothing and they're fabricated stuff like: Is it a good thing for him to be there instead of paying attention to the problems at home? or Is he looking too Presidential?

This is the kind of media we have. They all need a good licking. Actually, maybe they'll come home with their tails between their legs. They just want this man to fall, and they'll stick out their foot in the aisle to make it happen. That's how dirty they are. What have we become that they need "gotcha" tactics to make news?

[maribelle1963]

soundfury, someone stole the PRAYER he tucked into the wall in Jerusalem, and a magazine printed it. How loathsome can you get? (It was a beautiful prayer, actually. Among other things, he asked to be protected from "pride and despair." Just what I want my President to pray for (if he must pray at all.)

Yes, our media is a mess.

[kittyma]

Worse than that. The media is being allowed to choose the President and to dictate the views of Americans. CBS changing the answer that McCain gave is prime example of this. I am appalled that people do not see this for the actual horror it is.

[Bitsko]

As the Republoican candidate for president chatted with Tory Leader David Cameron at the Houses of Parliament on Saturday, a boom microphone used by reporters caught their discussion.

Cameron: [unintelligent twit talk] cheerio!

McCain: Got any Bud and German food around this joint?

Cameron: [unintelligent twit talk] pip pip jolly good!

[Charmed]

I refuse to vote for a President that takes time to think....the White House is for making deals, renting rooms, and giving out pardons....there should be no "thinking" involved in this job..it's just not the American Way.

[DaOne]

this is not news......

[2lib4oh]

Yes, this gives us a window into what kind of leadership skills we can expect from Obama. He apparently intends to be a real president who makes his own decisions based on his own thinking.

What a relief! We have someone now who behaves like he has an impulse control disorder and talks and acts like he does very little thinking.

Is it news that Obama plans to do some thinking in the White House before
he acts? Your'e damn right its news!

[lennix]

why are we talking about this

[kissmygrits]

I think, once again, this shows how intelligent and serious he is, and how much he is a brilliant, real person doing his best to get to a position where he can do some real good. As opposed to GWB, he surrounds himself with brilliant people and wants to make more time for 'thinking.' Exactly what we've been missing in the past 7 years.

[Rider3]

I'm sitting here chuckling thinking, "Hmmmm....if this were Bush caught on tape speaking and not Obama, how would Bush be embarrassing himself (and us) with what he said? For example, I always cringe -- almost as much as she did - when I see The Shrub giving a neck-rub to Angela Merkel -the freaking leader of Germany. I guess no one told him to keep his hands to himself, especially do not give world leaders neck massages. WTF goes through this guy's head?

[CalliDem]

Surounding yourself with "smart people" is NOT enough

PUMA

[kissmygrits]

How would you know?

[Relax08]

It's a good start. McCain might want to give it a try.

[AxelDC]

Of course not, you have to be smart enough to understand what they are saying and judge their opinions. Are you saying that Obama isn't smart enough, because he outwitted both Clintons?

One question for the PUMA: you claim that you cannot support Obama because he was "sexist" (although even Ferraro cannot name one thing he did that was sexist, except that he didn't let the woman win). However, you claim that Obama cannot pick Govs. Napolitano or Sebelius because they are women.

Doesn't that sound just a bit sexist to disqualify someone from VP because of her gender?

[harriscrl3]

Of course its not enough you need to be smart to know you are surrounding yourself with smart people or it might look like you are but in the end they turn out to be dumb people who run your campaign into the ground and then it calls into question your smartness or ability to pick smart people.

Carol

[majormoderate]

yea good call. better to just surround yourself with ppl you went to high school or college with right? maybe some drinking buddies or the ones who you owe favors to from the campaign?

im voting for YOU in nov!

[thoughtsoutloud]

Gee, the guy who wants the big job has actually given thought as to how he will handle the pressures. What a breath of fresh air Obama is.

I'll never forget one of the earliest televised debates back when W emerged. He faced McCain and Keyes in it. He was so outmatched that he started sputtering "But I'm a leader" in response to several questions, along with the now familiar shoulder move.

I think we are seeing a real leader emerge as opposed to a crown prince annointed.

It's all good.

[musselmanm]

Aint that delettante some kind of gang bang word? Or maybe even a terrorist term!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aw crud, this kind of stuff makes me sceered!

[RFBorjal]

No, no, dilettante means "amateur". Ignorant people shouldn't be commenting because they reveal their ignorance for all the world to see.

Now, go home and read the dictionary.

[indypete]

Nah... It's one o' them 'leeeetist words.

[harriscrl3]

I dont pay politics close attention but I dont remember that there was ever a time in an election when someone has to be so meticilous and careful what they say where NOTHING the say is private not evena prayer. This stuff is unhealthy and very disturbing cant people get privacy anymore and they wonder why candidates are not more forthcoming to them why they creat walls in airplanes to Shut them out. The stuff that they should be covering they are not thats why they all stood by and helped shoved a war down American people's throat and they still havent learned

Carol