People have been talking about Michelle leaving her own mark on the WH as First Lady…. I'm not sure how she's supposed to do that if she's expected to act like everyone else.

IObama tried to give Brown Rush Limbaugh, but the PM turned him down.

I find the gift thing itself pretty odd though because surely it reflects on some staff member, not Obama himself. Who's job is it to pick out these things and was this a case of someone being seriously unaware of protocol?

I think that “sense of proportion” went out the window in 1992 when Clinton was elected. I remember that we were all doomed then. In 2000 when Bush was elected, it started again from the other direction.

But on the other hand if Obama had lavished gifts on Brown, then what woudl Obama's critics say? I thought there were rules on how much politicians could give and receive in gifts….

Personally if I were a kid again and got a Marine One helicopter from the First Lady of the US I'd be the happiest kid alive. And remmbering what my brother and I did at that age we would probably have blown up Marine One with firecrackers…. Though we probably would have kept one intact….

Besides, what ever happened to the idea that it's the thought that counts and not how much you give?

Obama is new at this and is perhaps trying to find the right balance of what to give or not? I'd much rather have Obama appear a little curt to a world leader, than (like Bush did with Putin) declare upon a first meeting that he (Bush) had looked into Putin's eyes and saw a soulmate, someone he could trust (or whatever it was that Bush said).

Going back to my original thought…. I think Obama was quite possibly trying to convey to Brown that this is new relationship and that Brown will have to earn Obama's trust….. I could not help but wonder what, exactly, Obama had learned from his meetings with Bush and whatever other secret intelligence there is on Britain and their support of our international efforts. Bush has said that he thought of himself as being a cheerleader and wanted to keep Americans' spirits up…. I can't help but wonder what Bush might have hidden about Britain.

It is certainly interesting and perhaps nothing more than Obama not quite knowing what to give. I thought the Browns' gifts to the Obama family were charming and well thought out. I also wonder which one of Brown's secretaries came up with the ideas.

Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe the Browns are movie lovers? I don't know. But I do know that the these DVD's might be welcome.

As for presents for the children, I always loved models. Even today, most 6 and 8 year olds love airplane models. And models of Marine 1 would be very welcome by any self respecting young boy.

From Jazz on down, you are all nit-picking, clueless and seriously disturbed.

The Daily Mail? Definitely, an intelligent, well informed and thoughtful publication. Go look at their homepage.

Boy, this exchange of gifts is clearly going to have a major impact on the “special relationship”. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Brown are even now brooding over these gifts and preparing major assaults on the US Capitol.

Cha cha cha!

Yes, I agree. Partyly, as pdx632 says, swag matters in diplomacy. But some bright sparks at the FO spent a lot of time thinking up gifts that would go with Obama's desk…anti-slavery etc.

Brown was lavish as he wanted some of Obama's shine to rub off. A joint presser to show Obama was listening to him. The Labour government was floating lots of stories prior to the visit about how Brown was going to be the key person Obama relied upon in fixing international finance.

I know…*gag*gag* Total rubbish. To see them together, and Brown hyper-animated and laughing excessively. . .it was gross.

The biggest suck-up from a PM to a President I can remember…and Obama totally blew him off.

This was the last, best hope of the British Left. They are desperate to stop the Conservative onslaught next spring. Despair reigns in the columns of the Guardian.
Maybe Obama is a closet Tory?

Because we all know that international diplomacy is all 'bout the swag. Maybe Iran could be pacified with an slightly used “Mission Accomplished” banner? Or will that be hung outside on the new Bush Library to signify it's completion. At least then it would be true.

First, Obama pointedly denying Brown the traditional joint presser with flags and all.
Now, both Obama and his wife giving tacky dollar-store gifts to Brown…after Brown's lavish, and thoughtfully selected, gifts.

I know Obama-lovers will (typically) term this a distraction, saying everyone should focus on the economy (well, and also on Limbaugh).
But the British have been America's only major ally to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the US even when it has been very unpopular at home.

This story has gotten massive coverage in the UK…where it is read by both Left and Right as a calculated snub.
I recall one of Obama's big selling points was that he would restore America's ties with her foreign partners. Hmmmm…..

I must add: I have no love for Brown. Rather, I agree with Jeremy Clarkson's description of him as a “one-eyed Scottish idiot”.
(Clarkson later apologized, in Clarkson fashion: “'I'm sorry for calling him one-eyed and Scottish but not the idiot bit')
Brown and Nu-Labour have been a disaster for Britain…and will be replaced by the Conservatives in about a year's time.

Maybe this is why Obama snubbed him? He sees Brown as yesterday's man?
Other theories: Obama hates Britain because of his grandfather and the Mau-Mau Kenyan business (hence Obama sending back the Churchill bust that Bush was given…Churchill being PM during the Mau-Mau business)?
Michelle hates the British because of the slave trade?

Whatever the reason…it was stupid and undiplomatic.

(Again…I am loving this. Only divine intervention could have saved the British Left…and “The One” has toasted that option. There will be a Conservative government in the UK next Spring).

My guess is everything will be fine on the diplomatic front.

Here is a video I found about the media coverage of Brown's visit to the white house. It brings up the point if it is really newsworthy or not.

http://www.newsy.com/videos/no_party_for_uk/