Video: No, Obama wasn’t cleaning the floor when greeting Abdullah
posted at 12:08 pm on April 3, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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While I don’t post a lot on Twitter myself, I do learn a few things by monitoring my feed. For those wondering why the media hasn’t reported at all on Barack Obama’s protocol-smashing deep-waisted bow to King Abdullah — besides the usual Cover Obama’s Behind impulse — a few people are suggesting that media outlets are taking the position that Obama was really picking something off the ground instead of bowing.
Where did they get idea? Certainly not from the video. I’ve highlighted the portion, and repeat it a couple of times to be clear:
Very clearly, throughout the bow, Obama’s right hand stays engaged with Abdullah’s. His left hand remains visibly at his side, and doesn’t once reach for the ground.
So where would they get the idea that President Obama assigned himself the task of cleaning the floor? I’d assume that Obama’s press office pushed that meme out hard yesterday when the video first came out, and they didn’t bother to check it. Considering Anderson Cooper’s long missive about the Obama’s brief head nod to Queen Elizabeth, the silence on this greeting seems astonishing.
National media — when will you report this? 2013?
But did it buy Obama any respect from Abdullah and the Saudis? Apparently not. Arab News, the recognized media mouthpiece for the Saudi royal family, dismisses Obama in an editorial today as false change:
The so-called new plan is nothing but Bush’s old wine in Obama’s new bottle. So much for the “Change We Can”! Looks like the pundits who mocked our boundless adulation for Obama and celebration of “change in Washington” were right after all. They were right when they insisted that whoever is in charge in Washington, the US foreign policy seldom changes. This is unfortunate considering the great expectations and hopes the new president’s talk of exploring a “new way forward” had spawned across the Muslim world.
I guess the next time, the Saudis expect a lower bow, and perhaps a kiss on the feet.
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Bowing is a sign of respect. – Liberals
What, exactly, is respectable about the Saudi government?
lorien1973 on April 3, 2009 at 12:10 PM
If it had been Bush, they would have said he was cleaning the blood and oil off of his feet.
myrenovations on April 3, 2009 at 12:11 PM
memo to getalife……we are STILL not well liked.
becki51758 on April 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Looks like a bow to me. WTF?
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Liberals just wanna be loved.
Sanjoboy on April 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Or something to do with bending over… and there probably would have been a chimp involved, or maybe satan, Hitler, the list would go on to infinity…
Mr_Magoo on April 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
manufactured outrage
du jourd’hiergeez, these camelf__ers can’t even get that right. yes they can’t.
sesquipedalian on April 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I thought alcohol was banned in Saudi Arabia? They are opening up!
WashJeff on April 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I’m pretty sure it is a requirement for folks of a certain persuasion to bow before the protector of Mecca…..
Vashta.Nerada on April 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Finally, a job at the G20 summit that Obama is qualified for!
UltimateBob on April 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Was this the same dude that Bush was walking hand in hand with? That was pretty uncool too.
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Wholly unacceptable.
Mason on April 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
People from Asian cultures are used to bowing to their superiors. This should be no surprise.
Speedwagon82 on April 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I had a buddy tell me last night he thought Obama was just trying to be cool by bowing to the Prince. I told him there was more to it than that.
kingsjester on April 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
in islam, infidels must submit.
yossi on April 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Why does his bowing remind me of those carved ducks that bow into a bow of water..and then bob up..over and over and over again.
becki51758 on April 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I wounder what obama as a christian thinks of the Saudi ban of practicing christian faith in Saudi Arabia.
With all demands on western people of diversity and tolerance.
the_nile on April 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
This just floors me…
A slight head nod to the Queen…
Forgets to Salute his guard and has to be reminded…
But a full half waste bow, head DOWN, (not looking him in the eye at all) is a sign of submission.
Equals may bow to each other…. but both bow to the same level… and ALWAYS look each other in the eye…
You can even bow a bit lower… but the non eye contact is the dead giveaway… as when you lower your eyes you are no longer even watching the person, and are submitting your saftey to them… to do as they please.
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I think it was a bit of a clumsy attempt at a curtsy. I didn’t seen his teleprompter in the shot so I’m assuming he got mixed up and didn’t realize that women (not men) curtsy to the Queen (not Kings).
mctowler on April 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Interesting. That reminds of something Lincoln once said.
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Was this the same dude that Bush was walking hand in hand with? That was pretty uncool too.
The media stayed really quiet about that, too.
::eyeroll::
MayBee on April 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Kneel before
ZodAbdullah!lorien1973 on April 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Obama is black.
The Saud’s are *all* racist.
They will never, ever, accept him or give him any respect and will accept his kowtowing and groveling as their just desert and his acknowledged acceptance of inferiority.
NahnCee on April 3, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Actually, I thought that Muslim Obama was kissing Abdullah’s ring. Seriously.
What’s this bumbling assklown gonna do when he meets Iran’s tyrants Khameini and Achmedinijad, french kiss them? More likely, he’ll turn around, drop trou and bend over.
It was all laid out for everyone to see in Stephanopolous’s fawning, asskissing interview…”my Muslim faith….”
CatchAll on April 3, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Sigh…. actualy the Saudi King has outlawed bowing and such in his own kingdom…
Please notice NO ONE but Obama bows, and only to the Saudi King…
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Troll alert.
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I don’t think they should stay quiet about this either. I think it’s an outrage – I was honestly asking if this is the same guy Bush walked hand in hand with, I think it is but I’m just annoyed that our leaders get all cozy with these horrible, horrible people (talking about Saudi govt).
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Wow, three full posts on this. Who cares? Does stuff like this really matter?
Yes, the media is biased for reporting on other things but not this. But the media should either light-heartedly address or ignore altogether all stories like this, whether they involve Bush or Obama.
tneloms on April 3, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Does Matt Drudge have some kind of business deal with the Saudis?
He thinks a robot is the big news today
econavenger on April 3, 2009 at 12:20 PM
He wuz bowing and picking up dust from the floor ‘cuz they both Islams and that’s tha proper rule with Islams.
We would no the trooth with his Islamisism if we could see his birth sertiphicate.
YYZ on April 3, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Then please go spend hours of your time finding somthing you read years ago… for an internet arguement…
Really… I’ll wait… you have 10 minutes…
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I think it does matter. The President is the only person in the country that represents the entire country in foreign affairs, and I don’t want him bowing to despots.
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:23 PM
My sarc tag looks like this:
…….
Vashta.Nerada on April 3, 2009 at 12:24 PM
The American Thinker pointed this out.
econavenger on April 3, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Don’t worry, since Obama won’t be drilling here or now then we will all be kissing the Saudi’s asses or riding bikes to work & school like they use to in China. China will be drilling for oil off the Cuban coast. Will the American eco-nazis be able to stop THEM????
izoneguy on April 3, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Anybody have any link to where and by whom the “Obama was picking up something off the ground” excuse was made?
Zetterson on April 3, 2009 at 12:26 PM
ED
The oil ticks are trying to do damage control for Obama. Giving him plausible deny ability by criticizing him openly.
I tell ya, God has a dark funny bone.
BL@KBIRD on April 3, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I’m surprised he didn’t bend over in the other direction for him.
jacrews on April 3, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Ah… thanks… sorry…
There are so many trolls and astroturfers around here now that its hard to weed out the sarc from the “serious” posts nowdays…
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Since when?
Guardian on April 3, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I get the what if Bush had done it angle, but this isn’t a big deal.
toliver on April 3, 2009 at 12:28 PM
On the a$$ more likely.
drjohn on April 3, 2009 at 12:28 PM
“My Muslim faith” BHO. Manchurian candidate extraordinaire.
canditaylor68 on April 3, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I read the video different…Obama is definitely giving King Abdullah a Michael Jackson crotch grab…maybe he thinks if this is a King, maybe he can be Prince…
right2bright on April 3, 2009 at 12:30 PM
As I remember the arab that Bush helped was because he stumbled in the garden. And then held on to help him. Man that was a story!
Now we see THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES being subservient to HIS leader. Will the libs ever get it?
He is not what he said! He can’t find a church to take his family to, because he has to find the right one. Well, I guess we know why he can’t. Wouldn’t look good for a US Pres to. . . . . . . .
You can name the rest, because allah is sensitive about it.
I want to see it on every outlet, on every tv station and in all our papers.
Bambi on April 3, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Bowing seems a hell of a lot more subservient than holding hands with the Saudis, which their fruity culture says is a showing of friendship. Obviously lefties would too if it didn’t put the Obamessiah in a bad light.
Speedwagon82 on April 3, 2009 at 12:31 PM
100%, absolutely, positively the most important comments in the thread. Think with your brains folks. Don’t just say “nah, couldn’t be.”
BardMan on April 3, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Li’l Barry is bowing before Saudi royalty like a subject. Holy crap. Giuliani spat in the face of an enormous Saudi bribe. And this cocksucker bent over for free? I hate to imagine what Obama would have done if a Saudi Prince had offered him something, like an iPod. Or twenty bucks.
George Orwell on April 3, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Week In Review “The World Domination Tour” We stoop to conquer:)
http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/04/tgif-circus-life-world-domination-tour.html
Dr Evil on April 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Bingo. But I’m betting BO did this unconsciously. And of course I’m sure it means nothing.
I mean-I bet Barry thinks nothing of this at all.
You know-bowing to a despot means nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Kinda like when you give the school yard bully your lunch $$.
That means nothing, either.
Badger40 on April 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM
The Boychurian Candidate has a soft spot for the Muslim. It’s the Absent Daddy thing.
This rookie might not have been born in Kenya, but he might as well have been.
To the Jews who voted (and continue to carry water) for Obama: He is going to assist in your eventual extinction.
EMD on April 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM
What’s wrong with him bowing? Its customary to do so in Saudi culture when greeting royalty. This is all faux outrage — hoping some smear against Obama will stick. It’s hard for Reps to understand actually showing respect and cultural awareness after 8 yrs of a retarded cowboy leading the way. If he had not bowed, I guarantee HA would have had a post about *OUTRAGE* Obama showing disrespect to the King. It’s laughable how much Obama scares people. Shows that he’s doing something very right.
dcwvu on April 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM
For example, when Americans smoked peace pipes with American Indians, that wasn’t a showing of subservience, it was a gesture of friendship. It didn’t mean Americans suddenly started obeying Indians, it was just being polite.
Speedwagon82 on April 3, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I’ll try to help here:
Oh, sorry! That was Shakespeare. My bad. I look some more.
Loxodonta on April 3, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I didn’t like it when Bush held hands with him. I didn’t like it when Bush went to Saudi Arabia with hat-in-hand asking for them to produce more oil (when we’re sitting atop all we need) and I find it DISGUSTING that Obama would bow before King Abdullah.
I’d spit in Obama’s face if I had the chance.
Oink on April 3, 2009 at 12:34 PM
The Barack Obama 2009 European Tour:
Kissing A@@ And Taking Blame
kingsjester on April 3, 2009 at 12:34 PM
FIFY. That will be a cruel realization to libs who persecute Christianity and exalt Islam.
Christian Conservative on April 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
If Obama bows to King Abdullah, then why didn’t Michelle curtsy for Queen Elizabeth?
Sickening I tell you.
Oink on April 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
..and admit were the great Satan.
shick on April 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Maybe the Chicago Jesus was looking for some loose coins since he has already gotten most of ours.
Dire Straits on April 3, 2009 at 12:36 PM
He’s not our royalty. I don’t want him bowing or holding hands with other world leaders. It may be customary for Saudis, but that dude is not my king, he’s a despot. I’m not saying he has to spit in his face. Shake his hand, give him a high five, do a chest bump, but I don’t want my leader acting subservient to anyone.
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Hmmm… you maybe onto somthing…
I know with my kids, if they are not paying attention, they give gifts that THEY would want to receive…
Does Barry secretly want an IPod with his own speeches on it?
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Nothing that makes The One looks like an idiot can be reported. Of course the media is mostly irrelevant now as we have many more sources of information.
JammieWearingFool on April 3, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Yawn… I’m not finding anything this morning worth responding to. I don’t care who Obama stoops and bows to. In a very real sense it doesn’t carry any importance at all. Heads of state can promise till they are hoarse, sign statements and laws one day and start wars the next. These petty protocol trivialities are show dressings for our consumption.
Let’s take a moment to think about what is really important and then begin to create posts on those topics.
Unless of course we get some hot steamy gossip.
bigskinny on April 3, 2009 at 12:36 PM
What is the official story on this?
Is the White House is denying the obvious and lying about it, or do they just say that’s “Obama being Obama?”
econavenger on April 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
First real laugh I’ve had today… thanks for that!
petunia on April 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
The U.S. bows to no earthly entity. Period. It really is that simple.
Guardian on April 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
smells like dhimmitude spirit
Huckabye-Romney on April 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Yes, it most certainly does matter. In diplomacy, observance of proper protocols is everything. For example, the fact that the US President does *not* bow to the British monarch is recognized as a sign that we are equal to the UK, not a subject of it.
BO’s deep bow to the Saudi monarch, with eyes averted, sent a clear sign to the Arab world that he is lesser than the King of Saud. It’s a sign of weakness, especially when he did not bow to the British Queen.
Wanderlust on April 3, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Also from the American Thinker:
econavenger on April 3, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Technically giving someone an iPod with their own speeches on it is required in the Geneva Conventions. I know because I’m a professor of the Geneva Conventions.
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Yes, it was. However, walking hand in hand with someone denotes friendship and equal status. To the contrary, bowing before someone most certainly yields status to the ‘bowee’.
Anyway, put me down in the ‘not worth getting upset over’ camp.
anuts on April 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Obviously meant rhetorically, becuase of course a bowee would likely never respect a bower under normal(?) circumstances. The fact that the bower is not supposed to bow makes it even worse and likely to generate even less respect in the eyes of the bowee.
/bowing out
DrAllecon on April 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Kewl…. I’ve got another STALKER!
How fun!
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
“Bow down before the one you serve. You’re going to get what you deserve.”
–Nine Inch Nails, Head Like a Hole
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
They know it’s dynamite.
Therefore, we should spread it around.
Keep those posts and comments going.
INC on April 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Regardless, Michelle Obama touching the Queen is an outrage!
YYZ on April 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
The hand-holding was indeed stomach-turning, and so is this. But the tu quoque ends there. This strikes me as worse; hand-holding isn’t a widely accepted show of subservience.
DrSteve on April 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
I agree, I think is is more offensive – I just don’t know why we’re so nice to this one particular guy.
Proud Rino on April 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
This is like watching the Zapruder Film.
Back & to the left, Back & to the left, Back & to the left.
Obama Bowed from the Grassy Knoll.
portlandon on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Repeat of earlier opinion:
I may be crazy but it looked to me like Obama was kissing the King’s ring. Ive seen two different angles of the footage and both are blocked when it come to Obama’s head. But it looks like he reached out his and and lowered his head at the same time…
AnthonyK on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Paging Mr. Obama! We have a spill on aisle 3!
Tennman on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
If Obama bows to King Abdullah, then why didn’t Michelle curtsy for Queen Elizabeth?
Sickening I tell you.
Oink on April 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Apparently the First Lady knows more about protocol than the President: Only the Queen’s subjects are required to curtsy before the queen.
This bow of Ogabe’s was stupid, not to mention he bowed so clumsily that it became laughable.
Bishop on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Since when did Americans become subject the the House of Saud?
And if it is so customary why is it only the American President who feels the need to grovel to him? Didn’t see the Queen do anything like that did we? Or how about Merkel? Or Sarkozy? Obama is in way over his head. And therefore so are we.
And ask yourself… if Obama was so sucessful why did he have to have an isolated press conference? If Bush had held a loney presser at a gathering of 20 countries the press would be saying he had totally failed at getting co-operation from anyone… which is exactly what happened to Obama… but no one dare say it.
This was a foreign policy failure for the US.
petunia on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Propaganda. Of course it was a bow. It’s not even up for debate.
The media makes me sick.
capitalist piglet on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
An instant classic! Well done, sir or madam.
This, class, is how spin is done. You managed to hit every possible point.
What’s wrong?
It’s only customary!
You’re feigning outrage!
What about Bush?!?! [extra points for "Retarded cowboy"]
You’d have been just as mad if he hadn’t!!
You’re all so stupid!
I’m laughing at you!
tom on April 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Lighten up like the Queen did with the First Lady cons.
It’s all good.
getalife on April 3, 2009 at 12:45 PM
No POTUS bows to other heads of state. That is the tradition. Saying otherwise is lying. Some here are experienced at it.
Perfect opportunity to illustrate absurdity with a “what if Bush did it” moment. Remember how certain douchenozzles on the left just couldn’t get enough of a photo of Bush shaking the hands of Saudi royalty? All chummy with monarchs and aristocrats? Yet Barry the Affirmative Action President chooses to bow before the same crew, and leftards claim its an improvement? Just think if Barry Stumblefuck had washed the Prince’s feet. He would be hailed as the finest statesman in world history. Groveling at the toes of a theocrat.
Being left-wing is wonderful. You never have to waste precious calories using the ductless gland between your ears.
George Orwell on April 3, 2009 at 12:45 PM
You like the POTUS being a$$ candy to the world?
Sovereignty means nothing to you?
I am officially amazed by your ignorance, or stupidity, either one: dangerous.
You must just post this stuff to get our blood boiling.
Are you stupid enough to believe in what you are saying?
HA would never sanction any sitting POTUS to bow & scrape before another world leader.
Especially a despot.
Badger40 on April 3, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Looks like bigskinny has been activated to try to draw attention elsewhere. Why is that bigskinny? Did you just register?
You would bow down to the Saudi King too wouldn’t you?
BL@KBIRD on April 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
dcwvu,
Our country fought a war against kings, not just English ones. To now stoop this low is to dishonor the sacrifice of generations of Americans.
I thought you Libs were for equality? Bowing is not equality but subservience.
Dr. Dog on April 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I wouldn’t bow to that misogynistic “king”…but the president does?
capitalist piglet on April 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Yeah. We’re too civilized to believe actions mean anything.
Like for instance, if I were to punch someone in the face, that would not mean I am mad at them or don’t like them.
It’s all good.
Badger40 on April 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
They want him to fail but that is not happening.
getalife on April 3, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Yeah, I’ll bet you were just “lightening up” with Bush all over the place. You loved him, and everything he did, no doubt.
capitalist piglet on April 3, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Wouldn’t it be awesome if, by some ancient rule, Obama’s bowing in submission to the king automatically placed the USA under Sharia law?
All those gay couples who we’re sweet on getting married in Iowa or whatever — uh uh, stay in that closet, mister. Our new overlords don’t take kindly to your type!
jeff_from_mpls on April 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Yep, its a carryover from dominance positions in the animal kingdom..
Face it folks, we are still animals, and there are certain nonverbal communications that cross all the cultural boundaries…
Now the question becomes, was this a PLANNED ACT? or was this subconcious… because that answer would tell us a lot about what Barry really thinks. Its easy to lie with words, harder to lie with body language.
Romeo13 on April 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
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