(CNN) –- President Obama will take his first foreign trip as commander in chief to Canada next month, his press secretary announced Wednesday.
“Canada is a vitally important ally and the president looks forward to the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Harper and visit our neighbor to the north,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said during Wednesday’s press briefing.
Obama will head to Canada on February 19. Gibbs did not announce any further details about the president’s itinerary.
Former President Bush took his first international trip to Mexico, but many U.S. presidents have started their terms with a visit to Canada.
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As a Canadian admirer and supporter of President Obama, I am obviously thrilled that he will be visiting my country so early in his term. I suspect a good number of my fellow Canadians feel as I do. Moreover, as a citizen of the world, I look forward to having an American president who truly inspires confidence, who exemplifies statesmanship and who seems genuinely prepared to listen to more than the sound of his own syncophants. Frankly, our own rather dysfunctional government and opposition parties have much to learn from having this very special guest in their midst. I hope that it truly is a learning experience – February 19 can't come soon enough!
And I bet "Ian" doesn't even live in Canada. Shut up idiot. He's coming whether you like it or not.
Ian you should go in his place.
We Don't Want Him
Obama is one busy Dude! I am having a hard time invisioning McCain doing all this in one week.
On the plus side, we could have saved on flying the VP to Canada since I am sure the half-wit can see it from Alaska.
Good place for Obama to start. I'm sure the French love him.
Indeed:
Please come and try to stay a while.
You are most welcome in this land, a land called "The Promise Land" by so very many men and women of African descent like yourself.
You have spoken of "change" and of "A New Day."
You come from a country that has embraced you and a political system that hears the voices of its people and is by their predominate cry, in the process of literally rebuilding itself – you are proud of your country and the free-THINKING world, loves you for being you!
You come from a place, now known for certain and for all time as "THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE."
By God, Ain't it the truth and not just a little bit!
Your nation IS still the world's only remaining SuperPower and the greatest one ever to stride this planet. Our nation is beautiful and a pleasure to the five senses, please, please come and have some fun before you go back to the maddening pace of politics unbridled.
America is a SuperPower but not just because it has 'Atomic' weapons, or a seat on the UN security council forever. No, no, that is not it, that is not enough. America, the nation, has SUPER-EMPOWERED PEOPLE! America hungers more than anything else for a chance to be and exceed ITSELF!
YES, please, come see and feel our wonderful, young nation. We do NOT have anyone like you in our government(s) but,...we could, we can,...YES, WE CAN, ...YES,...WE CAN!
(GEE, I like the sound of that chant!)
I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY ARE LETTING HIM IN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, Obama can get some good tips on their socialized health care and "other" ways the government can rule Americans. Take Reid and Pelosi with you – they are big on giving lots and lots of money to the government.
With Obama's approval rating close to 90% in Canada, I'm sure he'll be warmly welcomed. Thank you for coming to Canada, Mr. President.
Good, this should be our NUMBER one ally in the world.
We are like siblings.
@ Matt: you're kidding right? That whole foreign/domestic thing. Let me explain it to you: "his first foreign trip as commander in chief to Canada " mean that his first trip outside the U.S. as President is to Canada. That is what that means.
Our northern neighbor, being culturally and philosophically quite similar to us, provides a splendid starting point for Obama's adventures abroad as a Prez. Maybe we can learn a thing or two by this trip.
Canada loves Obama he will get a warm welcome there Things will go well for him!
Looking forward to see the new president!
WE CAN CERTAINLY DO WITH A LOT OF OBAMA SPIRIT AND INTELLIGENCE UP HERE! COULD HE MOVE TO CANADA?
well Canada is a socialist country..........................he will fit right in
What a wonderful thought _____Maybe we could trade Harper for this LEADER! Harper and Rush Limbaugh would be wonderful together, but God help the USA
i heard they're having gilmour night in toronto soon. get him to drop the ceremonial first puck with Gil even though toronto's not the capital
Thank you Kate and Dave ... Americans can use all of the support we can get. Its going to be hard enough for President Obama to reconcile broken relationships but knowing he has support from peace minded people is a blessing that we all should not take for granted. Good luck President Obama!
Matt January 28th, 2009 4:02 pm ET
really his "first foreign trip to canada"??? when is he making his domestic trip to canada?
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Well Matt, since Canada is a foreign country, it will be a foreign trip.
It would be a domestic trip if Canada and the US became one country.
Somehow I think that would have made the news if that event occurred.
Next time think before you post.
oh boy. he's coming here, eh? after the last 8 years i had thought america forgot all about us.
We welcome you to our great Country Mr. President. I hope you enjoy a hot cup of our Tim Horton's double double even though it is now owned by an American company. We are looking forward to your visit here in Canada.
Shawn, Toronto
Say what you want about Canada, but the majority of the world doesn't loathe Canada. Their people seem friendly enough. They don't seem to be as hateful and mean spirited and 'all about me' as those of us from the US. I think they must be doing something right.
Maybe some of our grand haters have something positive from our northern neighbors? Could be. Could be.
Canada is like North USA it's not a foreign trip.