Obama and the Emperor of Japan

So the official word was: Obama didn’t bow. Now, we have a new photo of the president bowing to the emperor of Japan. It’s the kind of image that just doesn’t sit well with many Americans. The president, as the elected representative of the United States, should not be in the habit of bowing to foreign leaders, royal or not. Obama’s deep, subservient bow makes it even worse; this was no little nod.

What will the White House explanation be? Emperor Akihito is certainly shorter than Obama, so perhaps the White House will roll out the old “he’s taller than King Abdullah” story. Perhaps Gibbs will deny that it happened at all. Neither will fly. This is something the president should explain.

Full Post: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Obama-bows-again—-how-will-White-House-explain-70102617.html

Related: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6567670/Barack-Obama-bows-and-talks-of-green-tea-icecream-as-he-pushes-US-ties-in-Asia.html

http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/11/13/president-obama-meets-with-the-japanese-emperor/

http://www.examiner.com/x-3108-Baltimore-Republican-Examiner~y2009m11d14-President-Obama-bows-to-emperor-of-Japan

http://www.theadmonition.com/?p=2031

UPDATE: See HotAirPundits for pics of other leaders greeting the Emperor. You’ll note that only the POTUS bows!

http://hotairpundit.blogspot.com/2009/11/president-obama-vs-rest-of-world.html