U.S. President Barack Obama
Persistent public criticism of U.S. President Barack Obama's snubbing of America's top ally, Britain, in his less than considerate treatment of accommodating British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has made its way into the current U.K. elections, set to take place on May 6, 2010.
It is now being said, challengers, frontrunner David Cameron and newcomer Nick Clegg, could scale back Britain's ties with America, if ether wins, in light of the perceived Obama snubs that have become "embarrassing." Britain certainly is not an enemy of America, supporting the nation for decades. Therefore, Obama's behavior is quite puzzling to many.
Liberal Democrat, Nick Clegg (left) Conservative, David Cameron (center) and Labour's Gordon Brown
Other high ranking British officials spoke out last month, seeking a reevaluation of relations between the two nations, deeming the "lapdog" image the Labour Pary, under former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, saddled Britain with, is unacceptable and harming Britain's image and interests in the world.
Could Britain's three-way end the "special relationship"?
Saturday, April 24, 2010 - Mr. Clegg's stance on those issues could
make some in Washington nervous. In a speech this week he called for a shakeup
in relations between the United States and the United Kingdom and described as
"embarrassing the way Conservative and Labor politicians talk in this kind of
slavish way about the special relationship." He added that there were "profound
differences" between the two countries and argued that the Obama administration
had already written off the idea that Britain was a special ally. "If they are
moving on, why on earth don't we?" he said.
Intentionally or not, Mr. Obama has offered support for Mr. Clegg's
argument: His relatively chilly relationship with Mr. Brown, including several
perceived snubs, has been a persistent theme of British news coverage. Yet the
United States can hardly afford a weaker or less friendly Britain at a time when
it is still fighting two wars and when diplomacy with states such as Iran, North
Korea and Syria is failing. Other longtime American allies, from Brazil to
Turkey, have begun opposing the Obama administration on Iran and other issues.
Though the next British government is unlikely to follow their course, Mr. Obama
would be wise to reaffirm the "special relationship."
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