Obama Joke by Premier Has Italy in an Uproar

[babylonsister]

Obama Joke by Premier Has Italy in an Uproar

By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: November 7, 2008


ROME — Italians never quite know whether to laugh or cry at Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. But many reacted with incredulity and outrage after the prime minister, visiting Moscow on Thursday, amiably called the first African-American president-elect in United States history “young, handsome and suntanned.”

Mr. Berlusconi made the remark while meeting President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia, saying that Senator Barack Obama’s good looks, his youth and his so-called suntan were “all the qualities” for Mr. Medvedev and the future president to “develop a good working relationship.”

Many Italian newspapers gave the comment nearly as much front-page attention as Mr. Obama’s victory itself. The journalist Curzio Maltese wrote in the center-left La Repubblica that “bookmakers wouldn’t even take bets” on how long it would take for Mr. Berlusconi to let slip another of his famous gaffes. “Mr. Berlusconi never fails to live up to our worst expectations.”

Mr. Maltese added that just when Mr. Obama’s victory was “inspiring billions of people” to consider “democracy, the most extraordinary triumph of humanity after centuries of bloodshed and intolerance,” Mr. Berlusconi instead contributed “a miserable, vulgar and racist remark, for which he didn’t even have the courage to take responsibility or the dignity to apologize.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/08/world/europe/08italy.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[BrklynLiberal]

1. That remark merely showed the entire world what an idiot Burlusconi is..

[HughMoran]

2. I thought that remark sounded a little "off color"

In the context where I first heard it (Olbermann I think), it seemed almost like it wasn't to be taken seriously. Apparently he wasn't being lighthearted at the time. ooops.

[volstork]

3. When did bush

become the PM of Italy?

[MercutioATC]

4. I think it was a play on Berlusconi's perpetual tan.

Lame joke, but I don't think he meant it to be offensive...he was saying that he and Obama share "good looks" and a tan...

[Trajan]

5. Berlusconi is a right winger ....

Whether he was just joking or not: I would be taking potshots at him too ....

[liberalmuse]

6. The poor Italians know how we've felt for 8 years.

At least we're getting rid of our idiot-in-chief.

[TheDoorbellRang]

8. Just what I was thinking

My commiseration to the Italians. They'll have to do some housecleaning of their own, it seems.

[Sorceress]

16. Yep, I was thinking the same thing. When I went to Italy, practically every Italian...

I met felt the need to vent to me about how the PM was just like Bush and it was like he!!. They can't stand either one of them.

[1Hippiechick]

7. That entire comment was about appearance, not about qualifications

which seemed strange to me although his comments were better explained in the 2nd paragraph.

[Doremus]

9. Sounds like the Italians have a Bush of their own to deal with.

My complete sympathies.

[RepublicanElephant]

10. what's crazy is the italians got rid of him once, then put him back in office again!

over a garbage strike?
:wtf:

[Cali_Democrat]

11. Berlusconi is a loon.

nt

[bitchkitty]

12. Damn, he's a real prize!

From the article:

In 2002, he said that Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark was “so handsome I’m thinking of introducing him to my wife.”

In 2003, he compared a German in the European Parliament to a Nazi concentration camp guard. In 2005, he caused a diplomatic commotion after hinting that he had persuaded the Finnish president, Tarja Halonen, to back Italy to host the European Food Safety Authority by wooing her. “I had to use all my playboy tactics, even if they have not been used for some time,” he said.

[Fleshdancer]

13. I don't know how to react to such an odd statement

Is he attempting to belittle President-elect Obama or does he have a man crush? :shrug:

[PretzelWarrior]

14. next thing you know, Berlusconi will be Obama's VEEP pick

just sayin'....even part of the Barack Obama ticket has said some stupid things about Obama in the past.

[Faygo Kid]

15. He's a loser. But this is such a "so what" moment.

Geez, I don't care about this. Check out the assassination threads. Those, I care about.

[babylonsister]

17. I thought it was interesting how upset the Italians got.

Agree, it's minor, but 'so what'? ;)