No, Bloggers: Obama Doesn't Think Chirac Is French Prez

The tone of a letter from President Obama to Jacques Chirac has some in the blogosphere wondering if Obama knows that Chirac is no longer the president of France, writes Jimmy Orr in the Christian Science Monitor reports. “Doesn’t Obama ever consult his staff before acting?” one concerned blogger wrote. Tempting hypothesis, but no: Obama’s letter is simply a response to one from Chirac on behalf of his foundation.

The Chirac Foundation advocates sustainable growth in developing countries. “I am certain that we will be able to work together,” Obama’s letter goes, “in a spirit of peace and friendship to build a safer world.” Some wonder if the word “peace” is a tacit acknowledgment of Chirac’s opposition to the Iraq war, but it’s not like “Sarko writing to George Bush and saying he looks forward to working with him,” as the blogger wrote, referencing Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s current president. (More President Obama stories.)