Obamas Family Night Miffs Some in Moscow

New York Times:

If Paris is for lovers, it looks like Moscow is for families. [...]

The decision to brush off the Russians on one of his two nights here miffed some in the Moscow government who did not understand why he would not devote the scarce time to his hosts. Mr. Obama had dinner with President Dmitri A. Medvedev on Monday and lunch with him on Tuesday. But with the second dinner slot unavailable, he ended up having breakfast Tuesday with Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, a known night owl not given to American-style early morning business meals.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Mondayboy]

The Russians are probably saying "You may be the President of the U.S but you are still an Abizian."

[EducatedObserver]

If the president believes that frivolous "family nights" are a viable option in his present job - especially on vital foreign tours - then I think he is in for a surprise.

There is a good reason why most American presidents of the past hundred years were not young men in their mid forties. This is an occupation that can afford few distractions.

[Hansy Peguero]

Oh Please the man was tired give him a break.

[bryan-a]

yea he was - He was tired because he had to take care of the kids while Michelle was off shoppingt or getting a pedicure or some such nonsense.


this is such a non-story - WHO CARES? - for all you people though that keep bringing up "family values" nonsense - even Ike Turner had dinner with the wife and kids occasionally.

[2Bfair]

Presidents lead in many ways. One way is by example. When he is visible and involved as a committed husband and father he is by example addressing many challenges indviduals, families, communities and the nation face.

[nkhogan]

Glad to see Huffpo corrected the headline to be more accurate.

[nkhogan]

Posted this comment on the wrong thread. I was meaning to post this on the Israeli housing unit article. Sorry everyone.

[mick7191]

No worries

[WowJones]

Someone below asked if there was racism in Russia, since the black population is so small. It's like the American south in the 30's.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1790831n

http://themoderatevoice.com/7619/the-anti-semitism-spokesman-and-racism-in-russia/

[XME]

No doubt he purposely is not giving Putin the same level of attention that he's given Medvedev. To me, it's a smart move. I've said it a million times...sm­art man.

[Jenjohnson]

I guess it will be a long 8 years for you if you don't get round to the fact that this is now the official First Family of the United States.

Get used to it or hibernate.

[LoveGuv]

Give it up, folks! This story is so irrelevant and makes no difference.

When Obama didn't have dinner with Sarkozy in Paris, you said "Obama has really messed up now by offending Sarkozy!"

Perhaps that explains why Sarkozy had his lips planted on Obama's behind today in Italy.

[Sensiblebg]

I personally dont have problem with this but when Bush did this you libs had a huge problem...

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

Did what?

[LoveGuv]

Bush did WORSE! He left the entire 2003 G8 summit early and didn't even stay for the final dinner--as planned. He just walked out and came home early. Russia, France, Germany.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fline/fl2013/stories/20030704000505700.htm

His detractors made a big deal out of it but nobody cared.

Clinton's detractors made a big deal out Clintons' frequent overseas travels (with the family in tow) but nobody cared.

Obama's detractors are making a big deal out of what he's doing. Nobody cares.

The only people who care about stuff like this are people who don't like the guy in the first place.

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

Thank you!

[blackfriday1978]

Thank you. On the other hand, I don't understand why these non-sense keep posting on HuffPost. They didn't check their facts and made up lies, and expect they can get away with it. What's up with those non-libs?

[interesante]

FINALLY, somebody can't stand these people!

HAHAHA, this guys is SO right on you bloggers on here.....c­lassic!!

http://warmongerblog.com/?p=188

I DARE you to whine about his criticism!

[ReedYoung]

Not a chance! Visiting strange web pages is how PCs become infested with "malware" and become part of "botnets" which can be used in "denial of service attacks."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/massive-cyber-attack-knoc_n_227483.html

[barackobama4prez]

The POTUS and FLOTUS were raised with suburb family values. They are dignitaries and I see nothin wrong with the schedule they set. They know ettiquette and decorum. But I like that they keep it real.

[barackobama4prez]

oops! *raised with SUPERB family values.*

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

You got that correct!

[confuseddemocrat]

but when in another country...­one should not offend the host.....t­he Obamas showed cultural insensitiv­ity....

if we criticized the Shrub for this overseas gaffes then Obama should receive similar treatment when he too behaves like a troglodyte­....and yes I understand about family time

....but this is about business

[barackobama4prez]

I hear ya. I still don't see the big deal.

[ReedYoung]

Vladimir Putin has given many good reasons to be snubbed; moral, humanitarian and political reasons that transcend any mundane manners and protocols he upset. I've seen Putin's eyes. He has no soul. The previous President needed his cooperation for an illegal agenda in the Middle East. This one does not, and Putin is on notice.

[gbee]

Grow up, this WAS business. Do you really think he unknowingly snubbed the prime minister of Russia? Obviously they know that Putin likes late nights and wanted to put him back on his heels and reduce his profile by making him dance to Obama's tune rather than the reverse. If you want to understand Obama's moves, you have to graduate from checkers to chess.

[everychildsnana]

They all look quite happy and relaxed. Glad that grandmom was with them this time and hope she was onthe prior trips, but wished we saw more of her in a position of honor among the family entourage. She is the core of this family, as the family knows. So forget the nonsense of her not being seen or not being welcome on our dimes; if you're going at all, take her too and show her off. We,here, are happy to see her enjoying her family and golden years ,doing what we envy and wish we,too,could do.
The girls are like marshmallows, just light, easy, bouncy and sweet treats to see. They are so at home and at peace;enjoy, nourish and protect them; they are among our national treasures- our babies .
MB's yellow dress is a fine, well-finished fabric; her black slacks,white top and neck piece are neat too. Fine fabric & few cuts are what model her long, lean form to its best; to her designers:no cheesy light weight stuff, and no glitters abounding during day events Just in case you were going to ask.

[2scent]

Continue to be distracted by all the fluff and all you get is more fluff. Fluff generates fluff and so on and so on and so on ad nauseum.

[Ponderus]

I'm thinking the Russians have a little bitty r a c e problem.

[PoliticalAmazon]

I'm thinking you are playing the r. ace card because it's the only one you have.

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

How do you know what anyone has?

[trebutts]

And yet, it seems every time the race card is supposedly played, there you are, PoliticalAmazon, to name or call our attention to it. Are you some sort of self-appointed Race Card police? And, fyi, those of us who supposedly play it, do so not because it's the only card we have in the deck, but because, like a spade, it trumps everything. Had the founding fathers had enough forethought to not make everything in this great nation of ours hinge upon race, there would be no race card to play. Sick of the race card being played, change the game.

[WowJones]

Russians? You didn't know?
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/resurgent_racism_in_russia.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1790831n

[LoveGuv]

Typical Tr0 ll Argument.

Tr0 ll: Obama is taking advantage of his position. No other president traveled like this!
Fact: Other presidents traveled the same and took private getaways at taxpayer expenses.

Tr0 ll: Well, we're in hard times now. Things are different.
Fact: Reagan traveled extensively with 11.5% unemployment. Roosevelt did the same during the depression.

Tr0 ll: But Obama promised change and he's doing what every other president has done. Waaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!

[2scent]

My preference would be for President and Mrs. Obama to behave like the President and First Lady of the United States on diplomatic trips abroad and at home, rather than the Obama family/friends on vacation doing diplomatic side trips. They have the appearance of traveling full-time as a family and doing their Presidential work as a sideline bit.

Mr. and Mrs. Obama are a private couple. President and First Lady Obama are a public couple. When on public duty, particularly abroad, affairs of state should be their first and utmost priority. I'd really prefer that they leave the kids at home with their grandmother and get on with the very important business of foreign policy.

Too casual too early in my opinion. Wait until you've been at the job for a year or two, establish repoire with our allies, and then take the family on a holiday. There are sacrifices to be made in the business of being the President of the United States. Make 'em and we all be better off.

[LoveGuv]

Other presidents haven't waited years to take their families, so why should Obama?

Bill Clinton took his wife, mother in law, daughter and three of his daughters friends' on his first international trip. June 1993.

I seem to recall we had pretty good international relations under Clinton, despite the fact that he took his family along. Of course, Chelsea didn't sit in on the summit meetings and neither are the Obama girls so what's the problem.

The only people who care about this are people in search of a gripe.

[LoveGuv]

Why should he wait years to take his family. Other presidents didn't.

First international trip, Bill took his family plus mother in law and three of daughter's friends.

[2scent]

Did Bill decline breakfast/­lunch/dinn­er invitations by his hosts?

[PoliticalAmazon]

Did Clinton allow his family to take precidence over his foreign policy visit?

[Ponderus]

Oh, dear.

To MANY family values???

Ya just can't win, can ya?

With you f00ls.

[2scent]

From the perspective of foreign governments, Mr. Obama won't be seen as upholding family values, since that is frankly an American obsession, used to polarize and divide the American electorate. He will be seen as arrogant and cavalier about his responsibilities.

I've lived in foreign countries and worked for foreign governments. You leave your wife and children home and go to the company picnic alone, unless they are specifically invited.

[PoliticalAmazon]

"Family values" is not snubbing the most powerful Russian politician to play pattycake with wifey and kiddies (and MIL, of course).

"Pwhipped" is, however.

[APurpleSOM]

2scent,
Well stated.

[2scent]

Thank you APurpleSOM.

[EileneLepht]

I agree. These date nights are getting ridiculous. Yeah yeah, it's good for the marriage but the POTUS is on official business when meeting with other leaders. They could put their love life and family time on hold for a week or two. I mean, how many of us common folk have had to put our love life or family life on hold for a week or two because of overtime at the office, factory, etc. It's a job (and one he wanted) not a vacation.
I voted for him and would again against McCain...b­ut I still think Hillary was the better man for the job.

[2scent]

Hillary is a woman. Please refer to her as such, thanks.

[LoveGuv]

Hillary didn't leave Chelsea at home when she was first lady. So I don't get your point.

[Hugh Briggs]

"But with the second dinner slot unavailable, he ended up having breakfast Tuesday with Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, a known night owl not given to American-style early morning business meals."

That is "smart power" -- .

Again Barak O is showing how much a chess player he is.. Putin gets the 'I see you when I prefer not when you prefer' treatment . Sit Doggy Sit.. Good doggy..

[ReedYoung]

Exactly. Putin has made messes all over Georgia, and wherever else he's been allowed off leash. It's high time he's house broken.