From the Weekly Standard:
LA MADDALENA, Sardinia—Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had a puzzled look on his face. “I have never heard of Popov vodka. Is it Russian?†he asked as he lifted the plastic jug, which retails for $10. President Barack Obama was beaming and told Mr. Medvedev that it made for an excellent mixer. (The bottle was accompanied by a six-pack of Tab.) Said Mr. Obama, “When comrades pop over, Popov.â€
The gesture of goodwill was but one of numerous gifts the president brought with him to the Group of Eight Summit held on this balmy Mediterranean island. …… Mr. Obama presented Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada a $50 gift certificate to Chili’s. He also pointed out to Mr. Harper that there were, in fact, Chili’s restaurants scattered throughout Canada, such as at the Calgary airport, Edmonton Airport, and Banff.
Taro Aso, the prime minister of Japan, received from Mr. Obama a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble and was told by the president to get on the bookseller’s e-mail list to receive further discounts. German chancellor Angela Merkel, meanwhile, managed to smile as Mr. Obama showed off an aquamarine wool sweater he found in a cardboard box at the back of a Dress Barn Woman store. “Go on, Angela, try it on†urged the president as the chancellor pulled the sweater over her head in the 90-degree heat. Ms. Merkel also received a pair of Isotoner gloves.
As for Gordon Brown, the prime minister received a six-month membership in Netflix-in the words of one Obama advisor, “to further his education in American cinema, one DVD at a time, one per month. “ And speaking of DVD’s, Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was given The Godfather, parts one and two. “Had I given him part three,†said President Obama, “we might be at war.†France’s president Nicolas Sarkozy, on the other hand, received a lovely pen holder made from the timbers of the British warship HMS…….
(See Hickory Farms, A6, Col.1)
