(CNN) – President Obama arrived in this snowy capital city for his first foreign trip greeted by 17 Canadian mounties – and thousands of ordinary fans chanting a familiar campaign theme.
Chants of “Yes we can! Yes we can!” could be heard as thousands of Canadians lined the streets to greet Obama’s motorcade. One hand-made sign simply said, “After God, It’s Obama.”
The President seemed to bask in the adulation as he arrived at the Parliament building for a working lunch with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
After walking into Parliament, Obama coaxed Harper to come outside the building so the beaming President could wave to the adoring crowd – a sharp contrast from the hostile anti-war protests that used to greet former President Bush’s trips north.
One U.S. embassy official on the ground here passed along a bit of insight that may help explain the diplomatic love for Obama. The official confided that thousands of Canadians crossed the border into America last year to volunteer for the Democrat’s presidential campaign in border states.
But the lovefest will not last long. Obama will be staying on the ground here for just a few hours, not even long enough to have dinner and that was by design.
Two officials familiar with the planning for the trip tell CNN the President did not want a lavish dinner during his first foreign visit – not the right image while America is suffering through a recession.
From CNN Politics
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We the irrelevants don't like this warm reception at all. We prefer hostility toward our country.
@ Fred Frandsen – You are a smart one! "I guess the president is going to Canada to complete his education on how to turn the USA into a socialistic country like France." Now, tell me, what does Canada have to do with France? Because we have French-Canadians? One of your countrymen once said, "Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Heed his words.
THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA!
WE LOVE YOU AND SO DO CANADIANS!
YES WE CAN!!!!!
BW- Was there a terrorist attack uner George W Bush.....a feared cowboy.
Digger is an idiot, "We don't want him here" !
Actually the majority of the country does want him here, have you forgotten the election and the poll numbers.
It seems to me that Obama is a master at the art of courtship. He did during throughout the campaign. He campaigned let his views be known but always made sure to communicate he wanted to listen to people "especially when (they) digree." His campaign was set up to contact low probability voters early and often. As well, He is doing this with republicans with visits to the hill and one on one meetings. Again reports are showing that these are meant for a diaglogue and looking for common ground. In his inauguration he adressed the Muslim world directly, ("mutual respect, new way forward"). He really doesn't seem to push hard for results, but always makes his views clear and emphasizes the need to work together.
@Debby: "Oh please Obama has a lavish dinner every night at the Whitehouse with a personal chef. What a bunch of crock this guy unloads on you dumb folk."
Yeah, Debby. And Bush just cooked microwave dinners and ate spam and bread. I need my shades. Your bias is blinding.
Silly democrats, paychecks are for workers:
I can feel your pain.....you do miss G W Bush.......come on – acknowledgement is the first step to healing. Don't worry you still have Rush L.
BW
I dont want my president "feared" I want my President respected and liked around the world.
You make me proud Mr President!
it sure looks like you Libs have OD on the kool-aid. Either that or there sure are a lot of mental midgets out there.
And the GOP now hates Canada...
This is so great!!! I love being reminded what out great country did in electing this Prez.
I am so happy that the Canadians realize that this is a great President as well.
CNN BREAKING NEWS>>>>>>>
Barack Obama sgins peace accord with long time enemy Canada.