Lula Zings Obama on Soccer

Ouch. At day two of the G-8 summit this morning, President Obama met with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who couldn’t resist getting a dig in about his country’s recent victory over the U.S. national soccer team. The two leaders were gathered for a photo op in front of reporters when Lula motioned to an aide, who subsequently brought over a Brazilian soccer jersey autographed by team members. “Hey, look at this,” Obama said, holding up the shirt. As reporters watched, Lula began excitedly talking about how stressed he was during the June 28th soccer match between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams in the Confederations Cup series. The U.S. led most of that game 2-0, only to lose 3-2 to the Brazilians. Through an interpreter, Lula told Obama that he had spent most of the game on the edge of his seat and that he had subsequently ripped off Obama’s campaign catchphrase to make it through. “Yes we can, Yes we can,” Silva repeatedly said, as Obama grinned. Lula has long been one of the world’s more colorful foreign leaders. In a press conference with George W. Bush in Brazil several years ago, Lula declared that he hoped Brazil and the U.S. could find their “G-Spot” in trade negotiations—a phrase the Bush White House later timidly quoted as “g-point” in their official transcript. (Your Gaggler STILL doesn't know what that means, FYI.) That’s not to say Obama didn’t get his own word in. As the two leaders wrapped up their bilateral talks today, Lula had already taken out his earpiece providing interpretation when Obama indicated he had one more thing to say. The Brazilian president replaced the earpiece. “We will not lose a 2-0 lead again,” Obama said and abruptly turned the microphone off and stood up. Lula burst out laughing.