The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Obama’s awkward banquet moment

The string orchestra began playing before the president had finished his toast.

By George Eaton Published 25 May 2011 11:47

Barack Obama suffered an awkward moment at last night's state banquet when the string orchestra of the Scots Guards struck up the national anthem before the president had finished his toast to the Queen. Although, to my ear, Obama's quotation from Richard II ("This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England") sounded rather stirring set to music. You'll find the video above, so you can make your own mind up.

But the firmest conclusion from yesterday is that table tennis really isn't David Cameron's sport. Just watch this video . . .

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Tags: David Cameron Barack Obama

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15 comments

Thu, 2011-05-26 19:31 — BreakingWind

Damn...! I expected to have a laugh at some gaff... But, frankly - whether it was deliberate or not...!! - I was very disappointed to find the music and speech worked so well together... Too bad...!!!

Wed, 2011-05-25 11:58 — Dave C (not verified)

Cameron still beat Clegg at lawn tennis.

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:00 — David Wearing1

Look at how badly Cameron wants his high-five moment with Obama. Absolutely pathetic.

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:09 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

How can a grown man be so crap at table tennis? He's like a fucking robot the way he moves. You can't have someone who moves like that running the country. He's as stiff as a board, like a toy soldier. You've got to be relaxed and fluid in your movements. Talk about a one dimensional man.

I can thrash Obama in table tennis and golf but he'll just get me on one to one basketball. At least Obama can move properly. Cameron looks like he's got a wind up in his back.

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:10 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

'Cameron still beat Clegg at lawn tennis.'

Jesus wept. Two robots running the country.

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:13 — priggy

David needs to realise its just like lawn tennis just everything is smaller.

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:17 — priggy

'He's like a fucking robot the way he moves. You can't have someone who moves like that running the country. He's as stiff as a board, like a toy soldier'
Actually he's not moving like a robot - a robot would move better. A robot would be clunky but a robot wouldn't do those sorts of jerks to the side that Cameron did whereas Barack didn't.
Cameron was like a public school boy or even just a boy, he hasn't learned how to move his body correctly and efficiently yet.

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:18 — Stu (not verified)

it doesn't matter who wins, its the participation of the sport... or so the chinese would have you believe... cos they rock and beat everyone just like in economics...

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:39 — SM (not verified)

I'm not surprised - its not a rich persons game - so obviously he is not going to be good at it!!!!

Wed, 2011-05-25 12:41 — priggy

SM - i don't think table tennis is a poor person's game either.

What i find interesting is that Cameron keeps trying to muscle shots over which well never works.

Wed, 2011-05-25 13:56 — Kershan (not verified)

I heard it on the radio and although my initial instinct was that it was a blunder, I did then start wondering if it was planned. Whichever it is, it did work - or can Obama just deal with anything?

Wed, 2011-05-25 14:10 — thinkov

Well said about the need to reflate the uK economy Barack

Wed, 2011-05-25 15:15 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Both players are left handed and Cameron wants to hit the ball with his top spin forehand. He's on the left side of the table so he has to move to the right side to play the shot. But this means he pushes Obama further right, so much so that Obama can't get back to play the next shot. Cameron is also way too far behind the table.

Wed, 2011-05-25 15:40 — ang (not verified)

I thought the national anthem provided a very nice backdrop to Obama's snippet from Shakespeare, so glad he carried on, he and Shakespeare are so much more relevant and important than the old royal scrounger!

Thu, 2011-06-30 07:58 — Anthony2

Actually he's not moving like a robot - a robot would move better. A robot would be clunky but a robot wouldn't do those sorts of jerks to the side that Cameron did whereas Barack didn't. http://www.howtoinstalllaminateflooring.org/