Obama's European comedy of errors

There's an old Irish proverb, "the light heart lives long."

On a trip designed to strengthen the U.S.'s long-standing relationships with the United Kingdom and Ireland, President Obama has certainly enjoyed some lighter moments with the people -- everyone from school children to the Queen.

While visiting his Irish ancestors' home village, the president, accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, toasted a "perfect pint" of Guinness. "It tastes so much better here than it does in the States," Mr. Obama said in the Moneygall pub.

Later in Dublin, the president joked he'd use a hurling stick, a gift from Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, to give misbehaving members of Congress "a little paddle, a little hurl."

In London, Mr. Obama played ping-pong with Prime Minister David Cameron at a local school. "Don't laugh at your prime minister," he joked and high-fived with the Global Academy students. The Obama-Cameron duo again shared a laugh Wednesday, flipping burgers at a barbeque for American and British military and military families.

If Mr. Obama's European trip has been somewhat of a comedy, perhaps it's also a comedy of errors.

Arriving in Dublin, a presidential limo bottomed out and became stuck on a driveway. Signing a guest book at Westminster Abbey, Mr. Obama dated the entry 2008.

But the president's most awkward moment was at the state dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

As Mr. Obama toasted the Queen and palace guests, the orchestra mistook a poignant pause for the end of his speech, striking up "God Save the Queen" early. The president continued over the music and lifted his glass, a gesture ignored by the Queen until the end of the song.

Mr. Obama president later joked with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg that the mishap was "out of the movies," a phrase that could be used to described much of the president's European adventures.

[opinionsrule]

Definately a fish out of water. It's sad, very disrespectful and lame on his and his staff's part. He has surrounded himself with in unprofessionalism and that's on him.

[marzipansii]

This is such a non-story, why is it here? There is nothing news worthy about it. Raise the standard msnbc, because you are looking like a bunch of ***** with this stuff.

[marzipansii]

oooops, CBS. Wow, I thought they had a higher standard to begin with...sorry.

[__One__American__]

What else can you expect from the teleprompter clown?

He's a clown, but nobody's laughing.

[catmomtx]

Well you certainly lived up to oue expectations. Never miss an opportunity to disrespect our President. Jealous much?

[babooph]

The story & the headline seem not to match-was this done to get me to read this boring foolishness?

[lv55]

A comedy of errors. CBS making a big deal out of nothing.

[marzipansii]

touche

[Danize]

Here's a famous muffed toast line: "I'd rather be with the people in this room than with the best people in the world"!

[tsigili]

That's what happens when you think you are still running your 2008 campaign.

That's exactly where he is.

[justme2012]

That's because he never stopped. He's been running around the country campaigning for almost five years now. It's all he does, it's all he knows, it's all he can do.

[drushsean]

This president of ours is an absolute embarassment. Misses the year by 3 and a half. Misses the number of states by seven. Messes up a simple toast. Not good without the tell-a-prompters. Classless and rude. And somehow conservatives are bigoted.

[lv55]

You are a bigot. Must be a follower of the bigot, Rush Limbaugh.

[justme2012]

Soon he'll be back in the US with his sideshow campaign, barking his tacky t-shirts.

[panzermk2]

To our Friends in the United Kingdom,

We're sorry for the past 2 1/2 years. Sending back Winston Churchill's bust was not our idea. Nor were the DVDs. No one here suggested he try to speak with a British accent.

This debacle was the solo work of a buffoon. We know how to propose a toast, and when to shut up.

Please accept our apologies. We'll try to send someone better next time.

-The United States

[lv55]

A debacle? No, that would be starting a war with Iraq.

[justme2012]

No, that would be starting a war with Libya.

[velma179]

I saw the toast thing with the Queen. I have never been a fan of the whole "royal" thing -- no, I didn't watch "THE" wedding (though I think they are decent kids) and that clip reminds me why.

I don't care if the POTUS is someone I support or not, I think the gracious thing to do with a guest is at least bend a bit...

Anyway, whomever didn't clue the prez into the protocol should be spanked.

[justme2012]

Obama spanking Hillary

Now that is just creepy!