NOW WE KNOW - AT 10:31 A.M. ET:  Just in, hot news from Britain's Telegraph, finally explaining to a yearning public why President Obama was so rude to Prime Minister Gordon Brown:

Barack Obama's offhand approach to Gordon Brown's Washington visit last week came about because the president was facing exhaustion over America's economic crisis and is unable to focus on foreign affairs, the Sunday Telegraph has been told.

Sources close to the White House say Mr Obama and his staff have been "overwhelmed" by the economic meltdown and have voiced concerns that the new president is not getting enough rest.

COMMENT:  Oh, the poor dear.  We must get him beddy-bye.

Strange, but overwhelming pressure didn't affect Franklin Roosevelt's greeting to Winston Churchill during World War II, or George W. Bush's treatment of Tony Blair in the aftermath of 9/11.  But do you know why?  Those presidents had firmer mattresses.  That's it.  That's the key.  Write the White House.

Geez.

March 8, 2009