Obama "Bow" To Saudis: CNN Reporter Asks White House To Clarify

The White House briefing room grew a bit chilly on Thursday after CNN reporter Dan Lothian asked press secretary Robert Gibbs to explain the current cause célèbre of the conservative movement: whether President Obama bowed down to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

LOTHIAN: When the President met with King Abdullah, there was something that took place which I believe the White House explained was just the president being taller than the king. We took a look at the video, and it does appear that the president actually bowed to King Abdullah. Did he bow or didn't he?

GIBBS: No, I think he bent over with both, to shake -- with both hands to shake his hand, so I don't--

LOTHIAN: -- one hand --

GIBBS: Well I... [laughter]

LOTHIAN: Did he bow or didn't he?

GIBBS: No. But I think this meeting was like a week ago, right?

LOTHIAN: That's right but this is something a lot of people are talking about today.

GIBBS: I can only imagine it is of great cause and concern for many people struggling with the economy.

At that point, the conversation ended, the other reporters offered their subtle "ohhhs," and the Lothian was left shaking his head.

UPDATE: Here is CNN's report on the issue, which notes President Bush's hand-holding and ceremonial kiss with King Abdullah.

LATE UPDATE: Lest one think that no one cares about the president's alleged or likely bow to King Abdullah, here comes the National Republican Senatorial Committee using the issue as a fundraising ploy. From the NRSC's Executive Director Rob Jesmer comes this:

Symbolism and leadership are critical in matters of world affairs. So it's stunning that just hours after he apologized to a European audience last week, and said America has been "arrogant" and "dismissive," President Obama paid fealty to Saudi King Abdullah by bowing to him at the G-20 Summit in London.

http://link.gopsenators.com/track.cgi?16-3403-1306357-9274

In both instances, it's becoming increasingly apparent that our new President would rather be accepted and befriended by his new friends abroad, than preserve America's reputation and leadership as the world's pre-eminent superpower.

In a stunning twist of irony, Saudi Arabia stands to grow even richer under this Administration, as our oil dollars continue to flow to the Middle East because of President Obama's staunch opposition to increasing domestic oil production here at home.

Actually, the stunning twist of irony is that Jesmer and other conservatives didn't make a peep about the proximity of the Bush family and King Abdullah for the past eight years but now, seemingly, are filled with outrage over a symbolic gesture of respect. Also, the link included in the NRSC fundraising appeal ... it's not an NRSC website.

Comments

[EgyptianMysterySchool]

03:24 PM on 04/17/2009

He bowed, but the man is on guard 24/7 - it's inevitable that he will make mistakes. While I'm sure he's well studied in international protocol, he will slip now and then - he's human.

[Panglos]

02:28 PM on 04/14/2009

This is a good example of the kinds of effects bias has. Those biased against Obama immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was a bow of subservience. In response, the people on the President's team concocted a story about Obama's being tall and grasping the king with both hands.

Even a casual viewing of the video in decent resolution shows this was not the case. As he reached the king Obama apparently stooped to pick something up with his left hand, possibly a piece of paper or a napkin, which can clearly be seen being brought up toward his right hand.

Two things are for certain: Obama wasn't "bowing", nor was he using both hands.

Why was the item important enough to retrieve at that moment? Perhaps it was something he intended to hand to the king, and it slipped out of his hand.

Why hasn't Obama come forth to defend himself? Maybe he knows that sometimes it's best to let things go, and not explain things to enemies who would only use the explanation as fodder for further criticism. As Ricky Ricardo would say: "the more 'splainin' you do, the more you got some 'splainin' to do." So heck with it. There are more important things to deal with.

Quit the playground politics, children. Don't we have better things to do?

[Rider3]

03:28 PM on 04/13/2009

Big freaking deal. I took it as a sign of respect to the King's title, on the King's territory. If that's the only thing you Repuglicans can cough up and complain about, consider yourselves lucky. We Dems had to deal with The Shrub for 8 long, painful years, and we were locked out of all discussions. Thanks to The Shrub and his gang, our country is in tatters. So, all I have to say to you people is: Go get lost.

[howdyfromtexas]

10:18 AM on 04/14/2009

So it is ok with you that the Obama administration is lying to us because Bush lied to us ?
Seriously ???????? Wow I thought a lie is a lie . The white house is lying to us. I had a problem when bush did it and I have a problem now.

[dezzertguy]

02:43 PM on 04/13/2009

The president bowed. Why can't they just admit it. During the campaign, Obama said $4.00 gas did not bother him. The king appreciates Obama's words and bows.

[BeefyT]

12:59 PM on 04/13/2009

I misspelled embarrassing...how embarrassing!
But not as embarrassing as Obama not doing his homework (or at least having someone in his administration check for him) on appropriate culture, customs, foreign policy and etiquette.

[SaraNader]

12:28 PM on 04/13/2009

Does anyone know if we have file footage of former president george bush giving this same king a rim job?

[LiberalUnderYourBed]

11:50 AM on 04/13/2009

OK, so he bowed.

....but, but he didn't inhale!

Oops! Sorry, wrong distraction.

[iver]

11:25 AM on 04/13/2009

What is it with Rush and the conservative noise machine about bending over, assuming the position, and all these homosexual, homophobic, submissive references? Are they harkening back to Senator Craig's exploits in the Minneapolis airport, or their own repressed/expressed experiences about which they seem to be endlessly fascinated. Time to get their minds out of the gutter, and get on with serious business of becoming more irrelevant.

[crone]

02:15 PM on 04/13/2009

Weren't the wingnuts carrying on about Michelle O's ignorance of protocol with Queen E.

[lydia]

12:48 AM on 04/13/2009

Considering the recent carnage in Gaza the POTUS wearing that jewish skull cap would in my opinion be far more offensive to the Palestinians, who are being slaughtered daily because the jews covet their land.

Bowing before an elderly statesman, a King of Saudi Arabia pales into insignificance when rubbing shoulders and wearing that silly hat in company with those behind the recent carnage in Gaza.

[dontvote4him]

11:09 AM on 04/13/2009

Time for a Gaza solution.

[VS007]

12:34 AM on 04/13/2009

Much ado about nothing.
As SNL cast mocking Joy Behar of the view says - "So what? So what?"

[Bow Wow Wow]

09:27 PM on 04/12/2009

I totally accept Gibb's explanation even though I have watched the video and it clearly shows the President Obama' left hand under his waist as he was "bending" down because the King was shorter.

And Bush didn't kiss the King, it only appeared that way in the video. Bush was trying to go one way and the King's cheek got in the way. And they weren't holding hands, during the kiss, I mean bumping into one another, President Bush' watch became entangled with the King's "Livestrong" bracelet, and to avoid a scene they waited until they were off camera to untangle them.

[Turtleposer]

08:44 PM on 04/12/2009

Obama was just showing off his fabulous glutes. Of course, we couldn't see them because he was wearing pants.

[wakeupansmell]

10:49 PM on 04/21/2009

So thats all you care about ! whats going to happen when your made to cover your whole body including your face and follow behind your man ? Oh you'll be looking at his glutes and nothing else will matter then either huh

[scott63]

06:11 PM on 04/12/2009

The left had a field day when Bush held hands with the "king", but now the shoe's on the other foot, a confused Obama made a stupid awkward gesture which was then lied about to cover up so he wouldn't look stupid the press finally called him on something so go figure the Obamatrons don't like it lol.

[JodyMcg]

08:26 PM on 04/12/2009

Bush left America with two wars, broke, trillions of dollars of debt, the highest unemployment rate in decades, 401k's bankrupt and Obama's "bow" or "not bow" is the news. Too bad the non thinking right controls the media. Bush holding hands and kissing the Saudi's and making deals that American's paid for at the pump never got media coverage. Shame.

[wakeupansmell]

10:54 PM on 04/21/2009

Maybe you were to young to watch the news then cause[bushes kiss] was all over the cnn and nbc news they called it an outrage and unamerican !
Open up your ears and eyes because when were all under the thumb of an america hater you'll be just a number and your loyalty to obama wont matter, a american is hated and to be destroyed so watch whats coming closely .

[kashifsaeed28]

05:39 PM on 04/12/2009

Is it a big deal? Grow up America.

My blog:
http://next-world-war.blogspot.com

[HybridTea]

05:18 PM on 04/12/2009

Which do we prefer:

1. Be sufficiently arrogant to ignore the norms of a different culture and yet call them our friends and go begging when we need them to pump more oil.

OR

2. Respect the norms of a different culture, show respect to an older and perhaps wiser man, and he will pump more oil to help you even without you asking.

Obama actually scored points for America by showing respect to the Saudi King. In fact the Saudis will not think less of America because of what Obama did.