Obama to India’s president: Thanks but no thanks

NEW DELHI — What’s an inconvenient little tradition when it comes to security measures – and particularly when it comes to the security of President Obama.

When Obama visits India later this month to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, New Delhi may just decide to be a little flexible. Officials here say they may do away with the established tradition of the visiting chief guest and India’s president traveling in the same car to the parade grounds.

It is the first time that a U.S. president will be a chief guest at India's Republic Day parade.

Obama’s security officers appear to have indicated to New Delhi that he will prefer to travel in his own Beast (as Obama's limousine is called) — from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s palatial residence to the parade grounds, a drive of about five minutes — because of security concerns.

Tradition demands that the visiting dignitary travel with the Indian president to the parade, which includes displays of military prowess and cultural floats.

One Indian official said that a final decision has not been made but that New Delhi is flexible. Another official dismissed it as local media speculation.

certified cynic
2:22 PM EST
Just let Barry ride an elephant

confuzzled dude wrote:Here is a funny comment, though it is a wingnut dissing both Obama & India in one shot.

certified cynic
2:22 PM EST
Just let Barry ride an elephant

Hellsangel wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:Here is a funny comment, though it is a wingnut dissing both Obama & India in one shot.

certified cynic
2:22 PM EST
Just let Barry ride an elephant

How very perspicacious of you Comrade, to come that conclusion.

confuzzled dude wrote:

Hellsangel wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:Here is a funny comment, though it is a wingnut dissing both Obama & India in one shot.

certified cynic
2:22 PM EST
Just let Barry ride an elephant

How very perspicacious of you Comrade, to come that conclusion.

Who else would refer the POTUS as Barry?

Hellsangel wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:

Hellsangel wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:Here is a funny comment, though it is a wingnut dissing both Obama & India in one shot.

certified cynic
2:22 PM EST
Just let Barry ride an elephant

How very perspicacious of you Comrade, to come that conclusion.

Who else would refer the POTUS as Barry?

Hmm. Maureen Dowd for instance. Your conclusions never cease to amaze, Comrade.

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:

Hellsangel wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:

Hellsangel wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:Here is a funny comment, though it is a wingnut dissing both Obama & India in one shot.

How very perspicacious of you Comrade, to come that conclusion.

Who else would refer the POTUS as Barry?

Hmm. Maureen Dowd for instance. Your conclusions never cease to amaze, Comrade.

i remember that column. it made a lot of news in liberal circles precisely because she called him by that name. it's like this -- dog bites man is not news, man bites dog is news. rightwingnuts calling him barry is not news, but dowd calling him that is news. so CD's conclusion is in all likelihood correct.