ROME — President Barack Obama was once the biggest superstar on the international stage. On Thursday, he heads to the Vatican to benefit from the popularity of his replacement: Pope Francis.
The visit is a rare chance for Obama to associate himself with a world leader whose cool factor far outweighs his own, and it comes at a critical time in his presidency. The White House is still recovering from what aides call a “lost year,” and the president’s job approval ratings at home are dipping to new lows.
Obama will use the closely watched meeting to show how aligned he is with the pope on income inequality, poverty and immigration — issues important to both the White House and Democrats as they try to paint Republicans as insensitive to the needs of Americans before the upcoming midterms.
“He needs the Francis bump,” said Chad Pecknold, a theology professor at The Catholic University of America.
Francis has a 76 percent approval rating among Americans, according to a Gallup poll published Wednesday. Obama’s approval rating in the daily Gallup tracking poll was 42 percent.
But even in Vatican City, Obama may not be able to escape the issue that’s dogged his presidency: Obamacare.
I wonder what it is that Obama thinks he can teach the Pope. Humility, maybe?
More at Politico
He always wants to be in the company of others greater than he. Best example is the Medal of Honor ceremonies. He thinks being in the company of true heroes, their heroism will rub off on him. He thinks being in the company of the Pope, his connect with a truly holy man will rub off on him.
@David: “He always wants to be in the company of others greater than he” He could accomplish that at any soup kitchen.
Obama thought the itinerary said “Vacation” and rushed to the trip. He didn’t realize it said “Vatican” until it was too late.
Credit to my wife for that one. I couldn’t resist stealing it.