Connie Lawn’s Column: President Obama at the UN

Connie Lawn’s Column - September 23, 2009

President Obama at the UN

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All the leaders keep up a frantic pace at the UN – Prime Minister Key and President Obama among them. Naturally, the US President gets most of the publicity in his home country, although Prime Minister Key will get national US publicity when it is his turn to get “the Letterman treatment.” Since President Obama is my usual “beat,” I will focus on him.

The US President flew into New York on our Monday. The day before, he had appeared on at least five Sunday interview shows. He said “yes” to most of the pre-taped interviews, except Fox news, which is routinely critical of him. President Obama talked about health care reform, Afghanistan, and a few other topics. He was charming, but said nothing new.

Monday he flew into New York state, to deliver a speech on green technology. He was met at the airport by the legally blind Governor of New York, David Patterson. Newspaper headlines claim the President advised the Governor not to run again, fearing he would bring down the ticket. The Governor said, tough – he is running for election. The tension was as thick as the ice which blankets that part of the country in winter.

Later in the afternoon, President Obama flew to New York City, and taped his nearly one hour interview with David Letterman. Most of it was serious and somber – the few jokes landed like the rotten potato given to the President. At one point, Letterman asked about Jimmie Carter’s charges that racism was behind the violent criticism of him. President Obama pointed out, he was a black man before he got elected, and he was voted President anyway!

The next day, on our Tuesday, President Obama had his usual security and financial briefings, and then delivered his first speech of the day on climate change. He said the emissions have to be reduced, but he offered few specifics.

Then the President met with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He scolded them, and said compromises must be made to achieve a two state solution. More Mideast meetings continue in Washington next week at ministerial levels.

The next meeting took place with the Chinese leader. President Obama stressed the importance of mutual trade, despite a dispute over tires, poultry, and auto parts.

Interspersed with all this, President Obama met with some African leaders, and shook occasional hands in receptions. He also delivered a second speech on climate change to Bill Clinton’s Global Forum. Wednesday, President Obama delivers the opening speech before the UN General Assembly, and meets with several other world leaders!

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

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