President Barack Obama, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, from left to right, pose for a family photo during the G20 summit at the ExCel centre, in east London, today. (Photo by Dominique Faget / AFP / Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
How much fun can one have at a G-20 summit?
President Barack Obama, by all appearances, would appear to be getting along famously with some of his counterparts.
First there was that good meeting with the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, at which the two all but agreed to throw down their missiles.
Then there was that little hug -- or "cuddle," as the British press are calling it -- that Queen Elizabeth II gave Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace.
And then there are these images of the leaders of the nations that control 85 percent of the worlds's economy assembling on a stage -- the so-called "family photo'' of the annual G-20 and G-8 summits.
Obama and Medvedev have found a ready camera hog in Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, as the photos here suggest.
Fortunately, however, there is no report of any shoulder-rub for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who got a little surprise rub from former President George W. Bush at one of these affairs in the past.
Obama just nudged her along.
(German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Barack Obama leave after posing for the family photo -- this photo b Tim Brakemeier / AFP / Getty Images)
Comments
This will inflame the rabid. How dare someone discard the pompous better than thou look of the past.
Posted by: bill r. | April 2, 2009 8:46 AM
This will inflame the rabid.
At least he was wearing his suit coat and flag pin!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | April 2, 2009 9:43 AM
I've seen these pictures before:
.
http://www.threestooges.com/
Posted by: Terry | April 2, 2009 10:21 AM
Wow, everything is so swell!
Par-tay!!!!!!!!!!!
Did anyone get pantsed? because that would be hilarious.
Posted by: UnfrozenCavegirlBlogger | April 2, 2009 10:50 AM
Obama ignored Merkel. Went out of his way to shake the hand of a man near Merkel and did not even glance her way. She was eyeballing Obama and smiling.
Thumbs up to Merkel.
Posted by: racine W | April 2, 2009 12:25 PM
Obama ignored Merkel. Went out of his way to shake the hand of a man near Merkel and did not even glance her way. She was eyeballing Obama and smiling.
Thumbs up to Merkel.
Posted by: racine W | April 2, 2009 12:25 PM
Merkel is probable too smart for him or Obma doesn't have his TelePrompTer with him. Or Obama is trying to parade the limelight.
Posted by: Inky | April 2, 2009 12:57 PM
Well there was no yuking it up when Obama met Saudi King Abdullah!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/SdTLBNX2-DI/AAAAAAAAa5Y/in3YhB50RTA/s1600-h/saudi+king.JPG
That was for reverence and respect!
Posted by: UnfrozenCavegirlBlogger | April 2, 2009 2:04 PM
I like Merkel; reminds me of Hitler. Nice.
Posted by: kinky | April 2, 2009 2:51 PM
It bothers me that the press is making such a big deal of the hug between Michelle Obama and the Queen, the iPod gift, her outfit, etc. I can count the number of stories I've read today on one hand that concerned the issues they were actually there to discuss. Is this what people really want to hear about? Here's a video about all of the different media outlets in the US and UK covering the infamous hug and other etiquette issues:
http://www.newsy.com/videos/breaking_royal_protocol/
Posted by: political_decadence | April 2, 2009 5:22 PM
See Berlusconi the Joker here : http://w3d.ca/joker.jpg
Posted by: PA | April 5, 2009 9:05 PM