Week Ten

Presidential Archive    4/1 – 4/7/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

“Yes We Can!” became a world-wide chant as President Obama took his message across the shores. The President and First Lady left America this week to meet with world leaders overseas.  The successful trip included a visit with Queen Elizabeth and a speech to a Muslim audience in Turkey.  Mrs. Obama made headlines of her own as pundits saluted her fashion choices and her inspirational visit with London school girls. The President  concluded his trip with a surprise visit to Iraq to thank the troops.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

President Begins London Visit With Morning Meetings

Prior to the G-20 summit of world leaders to address the financial climate, President Obama met with world leaders including—British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Chinese President Hu Jintao. 

President Obama and Brown held a joint press conference in which the President stated:  “Ours is not an alliance of convenience; it is a partnership of purpose. It's a partnership that at times of challenge is resilient and at times of change is constant.”  The Prime Minister told President Obama, “Your first 70 days in office have changed America, and you've changed America's relationship with the world.”

While meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the President suggested a shift in prior foreign policy by discussing the need for a new arms control treaty. At the request of the Russian President, Obama agreed to visit Moscow in the summer to further arms-control talks. Chinese President Hu Jintao also invited Obama to visit his country and agreed to start an economic dialogue with the U.S.

First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown for a tour of a cancer treatment center.

The Obama’s Meet the Queen

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were greeted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in London.  Thousands gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the first couple. The President and First Lady presented Queen Elizabeth with an iPod of video footage from her 2007 visit to America, along with a rare songbook signed by composer Richard Rodgers. In return, the Queen and Prince Philip gave them a signed portrait of themselves. Afterward, the royal couple held a reception for all the world leaders and the Queen made headlines by extending her arm in a “hug” of Michelle Obama who reciprocated.  It was a rare expression of affection from the royal highness.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Obama at the G-20

While protestors outside clashed with London police, world leaders, including President Obama, met to discuss solutions to the economic crisis gripping most nations.  The President, who said he was there “to listen and learn” took a leadership role at the summit and later held a press conference in which he stated the next steps, include: creating a united international front to create jobs and stimulate the global economy, helping emerging economies stay afloat, and encouraging trade. Obama also insisted there be an international effort to reform financial regulatory systems.

First Lady Makes Surprise Visit to London School

In an emotional visit to students in a poorer part of London, Mrs. Obama told 100 female students at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School: “If you want to know the reason why I am standing here, it's because of education. I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. ... I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world.” She encouraged the appreciative girls to follow their own dreams.

House and Senate Pass Budget

While President Obama represented American financial interests at the G-20 in London, members of the House and Senate passed his Fiscal Year 2010 Budget with few modifications.  In the House of Representatives, the Budget – which the President insists will bring economic stimulus and relief to American taxpayers—received not a single Republican vote.

McCain Wants Pardon of Jack Johnson

Former Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain announced his support of a presidential pardon for the nation’s first Black heavyweight boxing champion—Jack Johnson. Johnson, who was immortalized by actor James Earl Jones in the movie The Great White Hope, was wrongly convicted in 1913 for transporting a White woman (who became his wife) across state lines for immoral purposes.  McCain made a similar request to President Bush in 2005.

Friday, April 3, 2009

On to France and Germany

In France, the Obama’s were greeted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Surkozy. Later, President Obama told nearly four thousand students gathered in a town hall in the Rhenus Sports Arena in Strasbourg, France: “This is our generation. This is our time. And I am confident that we can meet any challenge as long as we are together.”

In Germany, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were welcomed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband, professor Joachim Sauer. During a NATO summit the President spoke of his concerns on the situation in Afghanistan and solicited world support to rid terrorism.

Monday, April 6, 2009

20,000 in Prague to See Obama

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of over 20,000 that gathered outside a castle in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, President Obama acknowledged, “Few people would have predicted that someone like me would one day become the President of the United States. Few people would have predicted that an American President would one day be permitted to speak to an audience like this in Prague.”

Later, Obama addressed a missile launch by North Korea saying, “Rules must be binding, violations must be punished. Words must mean something. The world must stand together to prevent the spread of these weapons. Now is the time for a strong international response.”  The U.N. Security Council met for a three-hour emergency session to discuss possible sanctions against North Korea, however a decision was not made. U.N. Ambassador, and the first African-American female in the role—Susan Rice, represented the United States at the meeting.

The President Visits Turkey

President Obama visited the country of Turkey, which he calls a “critical ally” in addressing the problems in that part of the world. Obama spoke to the majority-Muslim population in a speech to the Turkish Grand National Assembly and acknowledged the positive contributions of Muslims in America and worldwide. He even referenced that he himself once lived in a Muslim nation. The President concluded his visit with a tour of an ancient mosque and a town hall with students in Istanbul. Many Turks lined the streets in support of the new American President.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

President Obama Surprises Troops in Iraq

President Obama’s overseas trip took a surprise turn today, when he made an unannounced visit to Iraq. Landing in the capital city of Baghdad, the President met with Iraqi leaders and American commanders and troops. At Camp Victory, the heavily fortified American base, the President told hundreds of cheering soldiers: “You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary