The president of Canada?

Posted: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 7:54 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
We missed it earlier, but it has been brought to our attention that Obama referred to the "president" of Canada when talking about NAFTA -- when that country actually has a prime minister.

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Comments

The Clinton campaign will have to research the prime minister's views on the Holocaust.

Maybe one of her preconditions on such a meeting would be to ensure Ottawa keeps better tabs on their female officeholders.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 8:02 PM)

Again, he is too inexperienced to be our President. He needs an advisor, but his ego won't let him get one.

Alabama Bron (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 8:18 PM)

Maybe he can be the VP.
Can he spell POTATO?

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 8:25 PM)

You would think if Obama is talking about his ability to negotiate interantion trade deals, he would at least know who he is supposed to talk to

D. Minor (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 8:54 PM)

Technically, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state for Canada.

Tom, Eastlake, OH (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:43 PM)

That's okay Mr. Obama. We often refer to your country's leader by many names, most of which suggest intellectual inadequacy. As well, Canada's prime minister would be flattered by your slip; he would like to be the president of 13 states and a decentralized government rather than prime minister of a confederation of 10 provinces and three territories. In fact, our prime minister would like to be American.

Madame Lafarge, Maritimes (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 7:53 AM)

I used to like Obama but if he doesn`t know the difference between a Parlimentary System, ( Canada), which has a Prime Minister, who can be ousted and a Republic,AKA Dictatorship, USA, which has a President, George Bush, who cannot, I feel sorry for your polital system.

Aubrey Young, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:27 AM)

That's okay. We Canadians are used to Americans knowing nothing about us, even though CANADA SHIPS MORE OIL TO THE USA THAN ANY OTHER NATION, INCLUDING THE PERSIAN GULF!!!

Or perhaps you might remember how the Marines flew Canada's flag upside down at the World Series in the mid-nineties? He's probably still doing pushups for that one.

Obama's view is typical of American knowledge of their largest neighbour which causes them far less grief than their only other neighbour.

F. Rosseter, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:29 AM)

The president of CANADA comment is typical of american ignorance and lack of any knowledge other than the latest Britney Spears trash.

D McKay (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:46 AM)

This level of ignorance about Canada is what we expect from our American neighbours.

Keith Maxwell, Brussels, Belgium (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:54 AM)

It just shows again that americans don't give a ... about other countries. Obama just seems like another Bush but black.

Daniel Pelletier, Clermont, Québec (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:57 AM)

Actually, that isn't true, the Queen is not our head of state, the Queen's representative in Canada, Governor General Michaëlle Jean, is.

Clinton, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:01 AM)

That's okay. President Bush thought we had a Prime Minister whose name was Prime Minister Poutine (for the benefit of readers, poutine is a delicious dish of fries, melted cheese and gravy).

M. Fisher, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:09 AM)

Hillary should know everything about Canada, she wasnts to bring their health care system here.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:09 AM)

Maybe Canada should have a President! Dump the monarchy now!

Parker Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:19 AM)

That's OK, Obama ... the way Mr. Harper behaves with his "God Bless Canada", his Middle East policies, and his favoritism towards Western Oil Interests, we can forgive you for being confused. Just remember, it's Stephen Harper - not P. E. Trudeau.

Heathen, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:20 AM)

Good job Obama.

Clinton is actually just as uninformed and weak on international issues. It seems her campaign is much more capable of deflecting negative press onto others.

Obama, Clinton or any of the other liberals. They all represent a negative option for the United States.

Dan Aiken, Prince Edward Island, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:32 AM)

Jerry do you know anything about our healthcare system? Or you don't wasnts to? hahaha

Tony Jensen (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:33 AM)

People make mistakes - no big deal. I'm sure when it was pointed out he regreeted having done so. I have traveled a bit in the US and Canada and neither has a lock on who knows less about the other and certainly many are just as oblivious about their own country. Over the past few years I have noted more Canadian flags on private homes etc., something that shows pride in ourselves.I always admired that about the US.

Armand Goodick Horne Settlement Nova Scotia Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:53 AM)

It's shameful that Canadians love to criticize Americans so much for their ignorance when they themselves are ignorant about their own country.

Clinton from Montreal does himself no favours when he ignorantly claims that the Queen is not our head of state. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of Canada according to the Constitution. Read it: "Article 9: The Executive Government and Authority of and over Canada is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen."

That's why every single act of the Canadian Parliament accordingly begins, "Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:..."

That's why the Queen's head is on our money.

That's why new citizens take oaths to Her Majesty.

Canada is a monarchy. Canadians who don't know this should be ashamed.

Joseph (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:53 AM)

That's OK, Heathen ... the way Trudeau alienated the West, his socialist policies, wage and price controls, the finger, and his favoritism towards central Canada, we can forgive you for being confused. Je me souvien, allright

Tim, Toronto (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:05 AM)

Obama isn't all that bad. Just imagine if Gore was also running, he'd be referring to David Suzuki as PM. I admire the US for many reasons, one of them being that the Eastern States are not a big bunch of WHINERS like the Atlantic Provinces are. I look east and can hardly hear over the incredible SUCKING SOUND directed at Ontario.

Robert Crooks (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:06 AM)

OMG, at least the US has an abundance of checks and balances in their government, where we have the Liberals. They know what's best for us don't they, the Liberals do. I don't know about Obama, I would have preferred to see Colin Powell (although not a Democrat) if America is looking for a black president. At least HE wouldn't have made such amateurish mistakes.

And no, I am a Canadian and I am not ashamed.

Robert Crooks (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:13 AM)

Tom from Eastlake, you're an idiot.....stop trying to impress people....
In 2005, Canada changed its policy and now all letters of credence are directed to the Governor General of Canada herself, not Queen Elizabeth II, making Canada the only sovereign nation to not expressly issue or receive letters in the name of its head of state. Despite the fact that the Governor General of Canada remains the representative of the Queen of Canada, and appointed by her to that role, and thus is still constitutionally issuing letters of credence indirectly on behalf of the Queen of Canada, even if no longer explicitly by name, the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada stated in its press release announcing the changes to the letters of credence and recall, issued December 29, 2004, that "in international diplomatic practice, Letters of Credence are formal diplomatic instruments that are presented by High Commissioners and Ambassadors to the Head of State of the host country... Letters of Credence and Recall presented by foreign High Commissioners and Ambassadors to Canada will now be addressed to the Governor General directly." This wording implies that the government of Canada, as least during Prime Minister Paul Martin's tenure, regarded the Governor General as the Canadian Head of State.
Another brilliant American.....

Matt, Ottawa (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:46 AM)

It is about time that we make ourself the favor of having a "Halifax Tea Party".
Then, we'll have a prez and lower taxation.

Jacques Coté (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:46 AM)

Slip of the toungue from Obama. The famous Canadian comedian Rick Mercer in his segments on CBC's "Talking to Americans" made then Governor Dubya look like a complete fool (not much a stretch) in getting him to comment on Prime Minister Jean Poutine's endorsement. Poutine is a popular french canadian food consisting of french fries, gravy and cheese curds.

Not knowing the leader of your largest trading partner (correct answer was Jean Chretien for those keeping score) is inexcusable and underscores how truly ignorant America is of its neighbours. Funny and kinda sad all at the same time.

Bull Harbour, Redmond, WA (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:47 AM)

Reading comments I realize that some of us out there will not tolerate the smallest of errors. How cares about "President" or "Prime Minister"? This man has alot more to offer. Let us focus on those real important things.

Karl, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:00 AM)

So Obama made a mistake, it's not like Canadian politicians are not prone to this as well. For example, Stephan Dion claimed a little over a week ago the first Chinese-Canadian elected to Parliament was Liberal Art Lee in the early 1970's. When Dion and his Liberal handlers were reminded that it was Douglas Jung from Vancouver (1953-Conservative)they tried to spin it as Art was the first Canadian of Chinese descent. So for all those Liberal's posting anti-American comments give it a rest, we (you) are no better.

Mark, Vancouver, British Columbia (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:12 AM)

We all make mistakes. Obama made this one, and Bush has made many - in any event, we shouldn't judge an entire nation based on their political leaders. I have met thousands of Americans, travelling in the States, and Americans who have travelled to Canada. I can assure you, my interaction with the vast majority of them has been very positive.

Kyle, Toronto, Ontario (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:13 AM)

hey fellow Canadians....

quit whining about how the U.S. is uninformed about our nation...it's getting old. Just sit back and enjoy it. I can't believe some guy is trotting out the World Series flag from '92. Get over it. Stop watching Rick Mercer, go across the border and talk to a few Americans, they are actually a very friendly bunch.

Steve C, Kitchener (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:15 AM)

I don't know what's more embarrassing, Obama's slip or all the comments from the self righteous Canadians suffering from 'little man's syndrome'.

Jim, Calgary, AB (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:37 AM)

Obama made a mistake - big deal. IF elected, he would be de-briefed properly. The CBC-sponsored anti-American Rick Mercerization of Canadians is sickening. Most Canadians don't know where the St. Lawrence Seaway is located - we are equally as ignorant about our country as our American neighbors are. We are the most sickening group of sanctimonious whiners....Americans may be a tad xenophobic these days - but they have their reasons. Obama may be green for the job - but not because of a slip of the tongue.

Dave, Ottawa, Onatario (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:41 AM)

I am shocked,,,I was sure Tim Hortons was our president.

Jacques Coté, Quebec City (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:46 AM)

It's true Americans do not know a lot about Canada but then again how much do we know about Mexico? Who is the Prime Minister of that country?

What's the diff?

Jery Vance, Nova Scotia, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:59 AM)

All of us Canadians just need to relax. Mr Obama made a slip of terms which is understandable given his background and the intensity of the US campaign. Something like the Cdn up above who said HM Queen Elizabeth wasn't the Head of State (she is as Monarch (Queen) of Canada and represented in Canada when not here by her Governor General (who is not the Head of State by the Head of States representative - see even we don't know)). Also the current PM despite his overt pro-Americanism (which is not a bad thing in some ways), is more a monarchist vice a republican. However the Obama statement does show slight resemblances to Bush when he ran in 2000 and his well documented ignorance of foreign affairs. I wouldn't say that this lack of knowledge has influenced the way things turned out.....but did it help? Not being an Obama supporter I do believe though that as the election gets closer he like the other credible candidates in both parties will improve upon foreign affairs. Remember Hillary Clinton still thinks - or did until relatively recently - that the 911 bombers came to the USA through Canada when in fact they never did and this was well documented. USA Customs and Immigration willingly let them in from overseas directly into the US. Now Jim Carrey, Celine Dion, Monty Hall, Rachel Marsden, we are guilty of!

Brian Nelson (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 12:30 PM)

Brian Nelson, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 12:31 PM)

Wow, as a Canadian I have to say, how embarassing.

Canada likes to pump itself up as a land of understanding and tolerance, except of course when the subject has anything to do with the United States.

When is this country going to get past this crippling inferiority complex and start dealing with the U.S. like grown adults- not juvenile, spoiled teenagers?

I for one apologize to our friends south of the border for the knee-jerk hysteria of the anti-American crowd in Canada.

I find it sickening.

E. Jaunque, Alberta (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 2:42 PM)

I'd agree with a number of the people who have posted here today. Americans have been so consumed by Obama's "charm" that we have until now ignored the fact that he has absolutely ZERO Foreign Policy experience. That is not what we need as a leader right now.

Just because you leaved a year or two over seas does not mean you are well versed in their customs of policies.

I find it amusing that Obama throws the term "Washington Insider" around when he attacks Clinton, Biden or Dodd....Senator Obama, I think you are confusing the term "Washington Insider" With EXPERIENCED, which clearly you are not.

The Dems can not afford to nominate a candidate who wants to invade our ally in the middle east (Pakistan) wants to sit down of a cup of coffee with foreign dictators with out preconditions, and who doesn't know squat about our national neighbors (President of Canada)

Obama is at this point relying onn Charm to win this one for himself. I pray that my Democratic brothers and sisters are not that stupid.

Matt Jones, Liverpool, Ny (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:41 PM)

who the hell is canadas president pliz tell me!!!

jhon doe,seattle, washinton dc (Sent Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:13 PM)

hehehehehehehe

khkjgjhgjnb (Sent Sunday, September 02, 2007 3:01 AM)

I am Canadian and now living in the United States, maybe we all need to show a little more respect for both countries, sure the democracies between both are different, but then, as an Ontario for all of my life except for the last 4 months, as Canadians we have had our share of problems within our own Country eg. Quebec wanting to separate, yet they want to be supported by the Federal government. Aboriginal Land Claims, and so on!
I do agree though we probably cover alot more about the United States in school, and read more about the U.S in the papers and in the news than they hear about Canadians.
wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. If this isnt Politically correct then those that do not celebrate Christmas dont have to read it.

marilyn Wright, Annandale Va from Kitchener Ontario Canada. (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 2:11 AM)

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