Italy's Berlusconi hails "suntanned" Obama

[Fuzz]

MOSCOW, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gave an enthusiastic, if unconventional, welcome on Thursday to the election of Barack Obama, citing among his attributes youth, good looks and a "suntan".

Speaking at a joint news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow, the 72-year-old media tycoon also said Obama's election to the White House had been "hailed by world public opinion as the arrival of a messiah".

"I will try to help relations between Russia and the United States where a new generation has come to power, and I don't see problems for Medvedev to establish good relations with Obama who is also handsome, young and suntanned," he said.

Berlusconi, who himself sports a year-round tan, is famed in diplomatic circles for making sometimes inappropriate quips.

On his first meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in 2002, Berlusconi complimented him with the words: "Rasmussen is not only a great colleague, he's also the best-looking prime minister in Europe."

He added: "He's so good looking, I'm even thinking of introducing him to my wife."

He sparked a minor diplomatic incident in 2005 by suggesting he had wooed Finnish President Tarja Halonen to ensure her backing for Italy to host the European Food Safety Authority.

"I had to use all my playboy tactics, even if they have not been used for some time," he said, prompting Helsinki to call in the Italian ambassador to explain the comments. (Reporting by Alberto Sisto; writing by Robin Pomeroy; editing by Keith Weir)


http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/11/italys_berlusconi_hails_suntan.php

[wtmusic]

1. The richest man in Italy is also its president

The mob lives.

[bemildred]

2. What a maroon. nt

[LeftinOH]

3. What an asshole....n/t

[Qanisqineq]

4. oh my.

At least we aren't the only ones with an embarrassing guy in charge. Does he try to massage the female leaders, too?

I had to look up a picture of this Anders Fogh Rasmussen to see just how hansom he is. He's good looking but not as great as Berlusconi makes him sound.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

6. And Just Think...

after January, we won't have the embarrassing guy in charge!

[Bicoastal]

5. Also, Italy was polled as one of the few European countries where a majority wanted McCain.

Am I missing something here? When did Italy start leaning to the Right?

[Crankie Avalon]

8. HA! Since 1924 or thereabouts?

[bemildred]

7. Obama thanks "petite" Italian Prime Minister.

"But enough about me, what do YOU think about me?"

[Quantess]

9. Obama was sporting a tan after being in Hawaii for a few days.

I noticed.