Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Canada on February 19, making it his first official visit to another country since becoming president of the United States on January 20. Some Canadian journalists are calling it a 'fly by' as Obama will arrive in our capital city Ottawa in the morning, spend time with Stephen Harper, the prime minister and have lunch, answer a few questions at a news conference, then head back to the airport and likely be back in Washington before his children go to bed.
His trip may or may not get a mention on the major American news broadcasts, but at the news conference, Canadian journalists get two questions --- one in English, the other in French. The other two are for the U.S. traveling press corps, according to reports.
What will President Obama and Prime Minister Harper discuss. Obviously the economy.
The U.S. president is hugely popular in Canada with about an 80% approval rating but he will not be making a major address to the Canadian people. In fact the Canadian parliament is on a break this week.
It is difficult to really say how the president and the prime minister will get along but given the dire state of the global economy and the importance of Canada - U.S. trade let's hope all goes OK. I can recall the disastrous relationships between President John F Kennedy and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and President Lyndon Johnson and Prime Minister Lester Pearson.
Prime Minister Jean Chretien and President Bill Clinton became golfing buddies.
I have my doubts if Obama and Harper will ever break out into song like President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney did with the rendition of 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling' but making a connection for a positive relationship between the two countries will be sufficient.
Harper must be looking forward to the photo-op with Obama, the world's political rock star, hoping it will give him a boost in the polls.
Perhaps President Obama will have much more in common with Official Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff who he plans to meet at the airport. Both attended Harvard University, and Ignatieff headed the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy there during the time that Lawrence Summers was Harvard president. Summers is now the head of Obama's National Economic Council based in the White House. A good friend to have in Washington and Dr Summers is apparently accompanying the president to Ottawa!
Please feel free to leave comment. Email me at mj.morris@live.ca
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Michael J Morris
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1 comment:
Perhaps Obama will sign the declaration on indigenous rights and pressure Canada to do the same! Or better yet, perhaps Canada will come to their/our senses and get rid of the Harper government in favour of a leader who is rights conscious.
As an Aboriginal woman, I am embarrassed at the decisions being made on the Hill with regards to human rights, or lack thereof. If Obama’s people have done their homework, which I’m sure they have, they’ll be aware of the declining support for Harper and the outcry generated around his recent Senate pick, or should I say token… no need to name names…
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