March 12th, 2012
11:22 AM ET
The British are coming! But is it a state visit? Washington (CNN) –Washington is rolling out the red carpet this week as Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha arrive Tuesday for an "official" visit culminated by a State Dinner at the White House. But wait. Why is the British PM's visit merely "offficial" and not a "state" visit to match the state dinner in his honor? Simple Washington double-speak it turns out. Cameron is Britain's Prime Minister and is not the head of his country. That's Queen Elizabeth. "It's really just terminology," Caitlin Hayden, Deputy National Security Council spokesman told CNN in an email. Hayden said state visits are reserved for the "head of state" like Queen Elizabeth and "official visits" are for the head of government like Mr. Cameron. But she says they both get the same perks with one minor exception. At the official arrival ceremony on the White House lawn, there will be a 19 gun salute. Cameron doesn't score the extra 2 volleys for the 21 gun salute traditionally reserved for "state visits". But Cameron will enjoy the traditional lunch at the State Department and finally the big state dinner traditionally one of the swankiest affairs the White House hosts. White House staffers from the chef and her kitchen staff to the mansion's team of florists are likely working frenetically to prepare. A state dinner is the ultimate intersection of power and politics and celebrity. It's sort of like DC's wonkish version of Hollywood's Oscar night complete with all the trappings. There are no awards involved but there is the coveted invitation, the red carpet arrivals, a world class dinner and star studded entertainment. Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and James Taylor have all entertained at past dinners. No word yet on the menu or entertainment for the Camerons. This will be the sixth state dinner the Obamas have hosted. |
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Kind of an odd picture...
Whats David holding up there??
With the state of the world's economy, Greece, Afganistan, Syria and so much more these two are the adults in the room with alot to deal with and to talk about. Likewise the GOP candidates are off to the races playing the fool with their cheap talk on the serious issues of the day, their war on women, their war on voting rights, their war on the poor and middleclass plus their overall blind disregard for the reality of the challenges of the average American. Being the leader of any country is not a game and the voters had better think long and hard about that..
Keep repeating the talking points of mediamatters and moveon.org. but the minions of the left and Pres.Obama don't
need convincing they already follow with blank stares.
Should read... UK leads US around by its prick!