Sigh.
Sen. Bob Menendez tried — unsuccessfully, as it turned out — to block a resolution honoring the late Margaret Thatcher. But he’s not the only powerful Dem who has issues showing respect:
#Menendez blocking Thatcher resolution; Obama Administration NOT sending an official envoy to her services. Petty and classless.
— Scott Armstrong (@CNYScott) April 16, 2013
That’s right. President Obama is not sending a single member of his administration to represent the United States at Lady Thatcher’s funeral.
It’s worth noting that Obama has a history of dissing Britain, and this latest move isn’t likely to score him points with Thatcher admirers:
Former defence secretary Dr Liam Fox, Lady Thatcher’s closest ally in modern-day politics, said: ‘I think it would be both surprising and disappointing if after President Obama’s fulsome tribute to Lady Thatcher, the American administration did not send a senior serving member to represent them.’
Sir Gerald Howarth, chairman of the Thatcherite Conservative Way Forward group of MPs and peers, said: ‘The bonds forged between the UK and the US through Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher was instrumental in ending the Cold War and liberating millions of people.
‘That the present administration feels unable to be represented as the world marks the extraordinary contribution Margaret Thatcher made will be a source of disappointment to those who served with her in that great endeavour.
Tory MP tells me many pro-American colleagues furious that Obama administration sending no significant representative to Thatcher funeral
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) April 16, 2013
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Many conservatives on this side of the Atlantic are frustrated and angry:
“… That Britain was her truest friend,” Thatcher said once of the US. Not sure the admin feels the same. http://t.co/N5OCDHIV2j
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) April 16, 2013
But yes, no official Obama representative at Thatcher's funeral is a diplomatic disgrace of sadly completely expected proportions.
— Allan (@UnrealAllan) April 16, 2013
I'm embarrassed for us. RT @iowahawkblog: Obama administration will not send rep to Thatcher funeral. You're welcome, England.
— Rob (@RobWaterson) April 16, 2013
Romney repeats what the British media said for months about the Olympics = OUTRAGE!! Obama won't send anyone to Thatcher funeral = crickets.
— RBe (@RBPundit) April 16, 2013
As several Twitterers pointed out, the president didn’t seem to have an issue sending representatives to tyrant Hugo Chavez’s funeral:
FLASHBACK: Obama's sends delegation to Hugo Chavez's funeral. Will snub funeral of Thatcher. http://t.co/m97flXYYxl #tcot
— Razor (@hale_razor) April 16, 2013
It's sickening that Obama sends representatives to Chavez funeral bit no one to #Thatcher 's funeral.
— Angry Man QC (@nby83) April 16, 2013
https://twitter.com/billhobbs/status/324216568810713088
Chavez despised freedom; Thatcher championed it.
If Obama despises Thatcher & her message of liberty & free markets, who saved British economy — says volumes about wht he does believe in.
— PolitixGal (@PolitixGal) April 16, 2013
So why can’t the president show the Iron Lady the respect she deserves and send at least one senior administration official to honor her on his behalf?
https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/324169884395266048
https://twitter.com/CuffyMeh/status/324150501006524417
https://twitter.com/CourtMattison/status/324174518119718912
According to the Daily Mail, the president’s decision was made prior to yesterday’s bombings in Boston, and a U.S. Embassy spokesman cites gun control legislation as the reason the president can’t afford to spare anyone. He’s just too busy worrying about our guns.
But here’s another theory:
Thatcher presided over the UK growing greater; Obama presides over a decline. He's not going because he's embarassed. #caring
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) April 16, 2013
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