Transatlantic handshake, Day 2

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown topped off his visit to the U.S. with a speech to a full Congress Wednesday to promote his "Partnership of Purpose" with the United States. In a gracious, laudatory and often deferential-to-the-U.S. speech, the PM was forthcoming and direct in his support of the American hegemony and its new chief, President Barack Obama.

In his speech, Mr. Brown also issued a sharp rebuke to the George W. Bush Administration, saying "this is the most pro-American Europe in living memory," suggesting that the U.S.' obvious inability to cooperate with European allies in recent years was not because of ideological differences but because of how the pre-Obama occupant of the Oval Office managed relations with Europe.

For one, Brown looked re-energized, despite the stagnation of his political agenda at home. He appears to be truly renewed by having a trans-Atlantic partner in President Obama with whom there can finally be a dialogue between the UK and US based on respect, debate and exchange of information. He was clearly basking in the limelight.

Mr. Brown's stated objectives on issues such as "expanding scientific research" and eliminating abject poverty around the world are admirable, but there is, with good reason, some skepticism about Mr. Brown's commitment to such policies -- for example, how can a government that wants to help lead the fight against climate change also build a third runway at Europe's busiest hub airport instead of upgrading London's 19th-century public transportation system or investing in newer, more efficient modes of inter-city mass transit?

Some other highlights:
-- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the "lion of the Senate," is now SIR Edward Kennedy, thanks to Queen Elizabeth II.
--"A worldwide reduction in interests rates" is needed because the UK and US can't do it alone. This is a sign that the economy's real bad and is going to get much worse. The Bank of England's benchmark rate is already down to a meager 0.5% ("who wants money for free?") and the Fed's federal funds rate is less than that.
-- The Republican side of the house was often slow to applaud to Mr. Brown's proposals. Mr. Brown's stated agenda mirrors that of his American counterpart, and the fissure in Congress is obvious. At one point, when the prime minister attacked offshore tax havens, it took the Republican side of the aisle a good 5 seconds to start applauding (simply out of respect to the Right Honourable guest and not out of agreement).