Berlusconi, The Anti-Obama, Comes To The White House

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

To understand the phenomenon that is Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who visits the White House today, simply consider his latest scandal, which centers on an alleged inappropriate relationship between the 72-year-old Italian leader and an 18-year-old model named Noemi Letizia.

When Berlusconi's wife cited the alleged dalliance in announcing her desire for a divorce, Berlusconi called on her to apologize for doing so; when the press took up the issue, he characterized the media as little more than tools of the leftist opposition. As the scandal grew, the prime minister called on Italian businesses not to advertise with media outlets of which he disapproves. (For the record, Berlusconi says he is just friends with Letizia.)

This is not uncharacteristic behavior for Berlusconi: The wealthy Italian media baron, whose holdings have prompted charges of massive conflicts of interest, is popular in Italy despite criminal charges and rumors of mafia ties. He recently saw the publication of photographs of topless young women – along with a naked European politician – at his Sardinian villa, and now faces an investigation of whether the prime minister's official jet was used inappropriately to take guests to the villa.

Berlusconi, in other words, is not exactly "No Drama" – two words often used to describe his American counterpart, President Barack Obama. The two men, pictured above at the G20 Summit in April, are wildly dissimilar, both ideologically and stylistically. One analyst told National Public Radio that the wary Obama team simply does not understand Berlusconi.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Italian leader can even boast an Obama-related gaffe: Asked in November about the then-president elect, Berlusconi called Mr. Obama "young, handsome and also tanned."

Berlusconi has more to gain from his meeting with Mr. Obama this afternoon than vice versa. The latest round of scandals seem to actually be doing some damage to the prime minister, at least internationally, and he could use a boost in his stature as a statesman amid charges that he has become something more akin to a clown.

As for the president, he's looking to make headway with Berlusconi on the economy and other issues ahead of the Group of Eight session, which will be hosted in Italy next month. Italy has been neutral in the debate between the U.S. and Britain on one side and Germany and other European nations on the other over government spending to spur the world's depressed economy. Berlusconi also has a good relationship with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that could potentially benefit (or hinder) the president at some point in the future.

Of course, perhaps the prime motivation for the president is simply to get the meeting out of the way. The Obama administration has been keeping the Italian leader at a distance, but they couldn't do so forever, and the decision appears to have been made that the time had come for Mr. Obama to put on a smile and publicly signal that the two men are forging common ground. It will be interesting to watch the president's body language following the two men's 4:15 pm ET meeting this afternoon to see if it tells a different story.

[webmonkeydc]

What's the change we really need? Find plenty of examples at: http://obamaprayers.blogspot.com

[alex_italia]

Hey, i must say i am disappointed by reading this column.
Being extremelly pro American doesn't mean i can stay in silence in front of the total lack of truth of what it is written.

1) Silvio Berlusconi is one of the few true and real PRO-AMERICAN leaders in Europe. He has always worked in 15 years to back the USA even if it was a Democrat or a Republican at the White House and i think that someone should again carefully hear what he said at the US Congress in 2006.

2) Under Silvio Berlusconi, the USA were not alone in Iraq. He sent our troops and many of our guys died fighting.

3) The comic issue about his affaire with Noemi Letizia has been rejected the last week by the Italian voters that at the European elections and the local elections voted in mass for the Right coalition headed by Berlusconi because it is NO evidence and nothing that shows that something happened between Berlusconi and Letizia. Or CBS has something secret?

4) The Prime Minister has never been convicted or charged for something. In all the 985 trials that the magistrates (who later became MP for the Left..) he has been fully aquitted.. and he has never been rumored or charged for mafia. He is from Milan.. not Sicily..
But if CBS has something to show the opposite.. it should be published.

5) A few days ago, Mrs Veronica Berlusconi replied to the media who "used" her words in order to attack the Prime Minister changing "de facto" the meaning of her toughts.

6) A more balanced comment from CBS will be appreciated the next time.

[chitown639]

Sure why not look at the air head we have now. or should I say wire head (TOTUS).
Posted by NEWCO123

Yeah sure, now tell us what year YOU were the President of Harvard Law Review during the time YOU attended Harvard Law School?

[dartplayer501]

Still won't let go, you need to move on. I know it's over and it has to be hard but really that's sooooo 2008.
Posted by NEWCO123

Hey - you're right. It's been fun though. TTFN!!

[dartplayer501]

"you can see Russia from the Tin City Air Force facility at Cape Prince of Wales, which is the westernmost point of the mainland Americas. The station chief at Tin City confirms that, for roughly half the year, you can see Siberian mountain ranges from the highest part of the facility."
Posted by NEWCO123

Well cool - I didn't know that. The AFB's still 800 miles from Wasilla though.

[dartplayer501]

When did Obama become a republican?!?/, oh the shame you must feel.
Posted by NEWCO123

So Obama's a creationist?? - I don't think so. He's a lawyer and that's bad enough, but a creationist - naaaahhh.

[dartplayer501]

BTW she didn't say how high over her front porch she was, did she LOL

(As you know she said it figuratively because you democrats do not know how close Russia is to the US.
Posted by NEWCO123

Since the distance is around 800 miles, she'd pretty much have to be in low earth orbit!!

[dartplayer501]

BTW dartplayer501 close your mouth, the sun is indeed a star.
Posted by NEWCO123

I actually have a minor in astronomy, so, yes I do realize that the sun is a star. I also heard that 40% believe in creation, and every last one of those is a republican.

[dartplayer501]

I see geography isn't a strong suit for democrats.
Posted by NEWCO123

Wasilla is NOT on the tip of the Seward Peninsula, the only place in mainland Alaska that you can possibly see Russia. Even then it's only the island, Big Diomede.

[dartplayer501]

Do you think it's a coincidence that 17% is both the percentage of Americans who consider themselves republicans AND the percentage of Americans who have IQ's below 85??