At the Nordic State Dinner last night, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen paid our current President a wonderful compliment: "You're the best President that Europe never got."
The comment harvested both laughter and applause from the 300+ attendees, including leaders from Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway as well as the USA.
From the Danish coverage of the event (via Google Translate):
"It is easy to see the importance and value of your leadership, Mr. President. So, without wanting to meddle in American politics, I can undoubtedly say that you are the best president that Europe never got," said Statsminister Rasmussen.
But immediately after, there was silence when Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that he supported the "Donald" as President.
"He is clever, the talented leadership skills, and he is a visionary... And I'm talking of course about the EU president, Donald Tusk, who in absence of you is the best president the EU could ask for," and laughter broke out among the guests.
The prime minister also praised a number of Obama's political results that are controversial in American politics: healthcare reform Obamacare, climate agreement in Paris, and the decision to celebrate the authorization of homosexual marriages through the United States by leaving the White House... in rainbow colors."
The loudest applause came from this comment:
"As the first country in the world to allow civil partnerships between same-sex (couples), we admire and support your struggle for equal rights."
http://politiken.dk/udland/internationalt620px/ECE3205903/loekke-i-skaaltale-til-obama-du-er-den-bedste-praesident-europa-aldrig-faar/
From the
Washington Post:
The prime minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, got the biggest laughs of the evening at the Nordic state dinner Friday, prompting President Obama to declare that they’d found the host of next year’s White House correspondents’ dinner.
“The first time you invited me into the Oval Office, Mr. President, you said that Denmark is punching above our weight. It made me proud,” Rasmussen said. “Now some six years later I understand that not only Denmark, but all the Nordic countries are punching above their weight? Nevertheless, I’m still proud.”
Rasmussen ran though a list of celebrities of Nordic descent, including Scarlett Johansson, Julia Roberts and Uma Thurman. “And the Norweigans? Well, they gave you Karl Rove.”
Jeg elskar Danmark! (I love Denmark)!