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By Danyal Hussain For Daily Mail Australia and NCA NewsWire 11:57 28 Mar 2023, updated 14:02 28 Mar 2023

Barack Obama revealed he once had a 'crush' on a Qantas flight attendant - as he started his lucrative Australia speaking tour on Tuesday night.

The ex-US President sat down with former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop in Sydney, with people paying hundreds to hear him discuss leadership and other issues, including China.

The sold out audience was kept waiting for more than 20 minutes for the event to start, after it was delayed because 'massive' queues were still trying to get into the International Convention Centre at the 7.45pm start time.

Despite the delay, Obama still received a standing ovation from the crowd after taking to the stage to the sounds of Stevie Wonder.

The ovation was a stark contrast to earlier on Tuesday, when Sydney residents slammed the ex-President for the huge 'nuisance' motorcade that carried him and his wife Michelle through the city.

At the event, Obama opened his talk by hailing Sydney and describing his love for the city.

'Sydney is fantastic, we have had such a wonderful time here, it's one of the world's great cities.'

Discussing his first time visiting as an eight-year-old, he added: 'I was travelling from Indonesia where my mother was living at the time, to my grandparents in Hawaii and I was travelling unaccompanied,' he said, describing his first trip.

'We had to stop for a day for the connecting flight and Qantas stewardess took very good care of me.'

'I had a big crush on her,' he said.

'I felt very sophisticated, very worldly, travelling on my own and so that's my first association with Sydney.

'And it just keeps getting better every time I come back.'

The event was hosted by Ms Bishop and the 66-year-oldspared no expense, turning up in a Carla Zampatti cream suit valued at a total of $1848.

As well as the sell-out crowd, around 500 people tuned into the talk online, with tickets to buy a link to the stream selling for around $400.

Those who wished to hear Obama speak had to dig deep into their pockets for a ticket, with a standard fare coming in at just under $200.

The event's 'platinum package', which comes in at a whopping $895 and features a welcome cocktail at a one-hour drinks function, a commemorative lanyard and a signed copy of Mr Obama's book, has now sold out.

With around 9000 people to attend the Sydney 'Evening With President Obama' and 10,500 to see him in Melbourne, the former president could be up for a payday upwards of $1 million.

It is the first stage of a whistle-stop tour that will also see the former president speak in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Wiradjuri woman Yvonne Weldon offered a welcome to country, before Mr Obama and Ms Bishop walked onto the stage to loud applause.

The former President was quizzed by Ms Bishop on the rise of China, he complimented President Xi Jinping on his 'forceful and confident' demeanour.

Mr Obama said China began to change 'after I left office', with the country beginning to crack down on liberties inside its borders after President Xi sensed that the next US leader - Donald Trump - would be more lenient.

'With my successor coming in, I think he saw an opportunity because the US president didn't seem to care that much about a rules-based international system,' Mr Obama said.

'And so as a consequence, I think China's attitude as well, we can take advantage of what appears to be a vacuum internationally on a lot of these issues.'

He said that the relationship between the US and China is 'significantly strained' and that tensions aren't 'going to go away anytime soon'.

'Nor should they, because I think there are some fundamental differences in terms of how we operate when you look at the South China Sea,' he told the crowd.

'The fact of the matter is, is that if China starts claiming what had previously been international waters that is going to make life difficult for its neighbours, and for everyone, long term, I don't even think it's going to be good for China.'

Obama and his wife Michelle touched down in Australia on Sunday night ahead of his speaking tour and have since visited several locations, including the Opera House and Balmoral Beach.

The ex-President was spotted enjoying an afternoon coffee on Tuesday, while Michelle took to Mosman Bay on a yacht, cruising around the harbour for about an hour.

However, the couple have come under fire from locals who have blasted the 'nuisance' motorcade that is transporting them through the city.

Some have asked for information on who is paying for the convoy of black four-wheel-drives, while others have questioned why Obama has such a large security presence for an ex-President.

However, the lucrative nature of the event has seen him come under some criticism from some Sydney residents unhappy with his motorcade.

Taking to social media, one critic asked: 'Barack Obama is running around the country with a 20 vehicle motorcade.

'Why is the NSW taxpayer bearing the cost of his detail? For goodness sake, he's going to make $1 million or more on his speaking tour, so HE should pay for it.'

Another wrote: 'One can only hope Barrack Obama and wife Michael waved to the homeless as he swept past in his taxpayer funded motorcade.'

While a third said: 'Flew in on a private jet. Uses this many gas guzzlers & our police force because he's 'oh so important'.

'Lectures us on climate change.'

Obama was welcomed by swarms of fans on Tuesday morning as he stepped out of the Four Seasons Hotel.

The security presence around the former President was massive on Tuesday, with throngs of police officers lining the streets outside of the Four Seasons.

President Obama's last official visit to Australia was for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014 - and prior to disembarking a private jet with Michelle on Sunday, had not been seen in public with his wife since last year.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted Obama at Kirribilli House on Monday morning.

The presidential pair were all smiles as they posed together for the camera, taking in the view by the harbour while holding black umbrellas amidst a subtle drizzle.

'Honoured to welcome President @barackobama to Sydney,' Albanese captioned the post to Twitter, which has since been viewed more than one million times.

President Obama's last official visit to Australia was for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014 - and prior to disembarking a private jet with Michelle on Sunday, had not been seen in public with his wife since last year.

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Barack Obama reveals how he once had a 'crush' on a Qantas flight attendant - Daily Mail

By Padraig Collins and Sarah Liversidge For Daily Mail Australia 23:41 27 Mar 2023, updated 01:21 28 Mar 2023

Ex-US President Barack Obama has been praised by a senior former Australian politician for his diet discipline - as Mr Obama and wife Michelle share a ritzy lunch in Sydney.

Bob Carr, the country's former foreign minister, said on Tuesday that Mr Obama, who is in Australia on an $AUD350-per-head (USD$230) speaking tour, is extremely careful with sugar and fat.

Mr Carr said that a meal during a G20 meeting in St Petersburg, Russia in 2013, he 'noticed out of the corner of my eye as this working banquet went on, (Mr Obama) carefully separated on his plate anything that would have had sugar or fat in it.

'And I thought this guy must have had a protein shake earlier in the day to take the edge off his hunger.'

Mr Carr, who is also a former premier of the state of New South Wales, continued: 'I thought ... this guy has got admirable discipline.

'He is going to leave office with the same waist size he had when he entered.'

The former First Couple were photographed outside fine-dining restaurant Bathers' Pavilion in Balmoral on the city's north shore, after arriving in the city on Sunday night by private jet.

Probably famished from their long flight, the couple enjoyed a seafood lunch at the waterside venue, where sprawling floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning view of Sydney Harbor.

While being a historic, heritage listed site hailed for its hospitality, the restaurant is not exactly cheap - with a plate of smashed avocado costing $22, and mains like grilled prawns and fish pie setting you back around $45.

Upon leaving, Mrs Obama appeared somewhat unsatisfied - perhaps still tired from the long haul flight.

Video snapped outside the eatery - where a six-course degustation menu including pink snapper sashimi and handmade fettucine costs $300 - show the couple greeting dozens who descended in hopes of catching a glimpse of the pair.

Despite not making a public appearance with his wife in more than five months, Barack, 61, looked ever the statesman, waving at a crowd clearly overcome with Obamamania.

Michelle also greeted revelers following a recent spate of interviewers promoting her new book and podcast in which she revealed previously difficulties of the pair's marriage during Obama's time in office.

A witness said the couple had dined in an intimate, beachside room at the Pavilion, electing to not enjoy its famed view with the curtains closed to the outside world.

Since forfeiting their rights to Air Force One, the pair has been known to frequently fly private, despite both stating that no challenge currently poses a greater threat to the world than climate change.

Mr Carr also commended Mr Obama for his political acumen.

'He was governed by the principles, as he put it, of "no more stupid stuff" and that meant nothing as adventurous as occupying Afghanistan or invading Iraq, which had happened under his predecessor, George W Bush.

'That made it easy to deal with him because he was coolheaded and not impetuous about foreign policy,' Mr Carr said.

Former President Barack Obama was legendary for his healthy diet regime while in the White House - which even bars coffee.

Although not a complete ban, his personal aide Reggie Love has revealed the 61-year-old much prefers orange juice, green tea or just water over a latte.

He stocks up on energy at breakfast with a big pile of scrambled eggs - sometimes as many as six at one sitting - with some toast and lightly fried potatoes. Other days he may simply have some fruit, or a bowl of porridge.

Salads with lean chicken are a top choice for the presidential lunch with wife Michelle - and the couple planted the first vegetable garden at the White House in 60 years during his term in office.

More than 50 different varieties of veggies and fruit were planted at the suggestion of kitchen staff, including superfoods like kale, spinach, lettuces, berries and tomatillos.

In the evening, a family favourite is their prized chilli con carne made from their own unique recipe which includes red wine vinegar, turmeric and basil.

To wash it down, he skips all fizzy soft drinks and grabs a beer - possibly even brewed by himself. He became the first President in history to make home brew in the White House with his chef Sam Kass.

In between meals, he'll power up on the road with a handful of trail mix, almonds and pistachios and the occasional guilty treat ofchocolate roasted peanut protein bars. He counters that though by also snacking on broccoli and spinach.

LOVES

Water, vegetables, nuts, simple nourishing food

HATES

Soft drinks, salt and vinegar crisps, mayonnaise, ketchup, fatty British food - and asparagus

Read more here:
Bob Carr sheds light on Barack Obama's unique eating habits - Daily Mail

A former top aide toPresident Obamasaid Republicans targeting TikTok is "bad faith BS," the latest in a string of Democrats downplaying or defending the popular social media app amid Chinese espionage fears.

Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama senior adviser who now co-hosts Pod Save America, took to Twitter over the weekend to make the comments as fears surrounding the app continue to grow. Last year, a report showed that a TikTok team in China accessed data of U.S. TikTok users, including two journalists.

"The Republicans see the issue as a win-win," Pfeiffer tweeted. "If Biden doesn't ban TikTok, they can paint him as soft on China. If Biden does ban TikTok, he risks alienating the young voters who put him over the top in 2020. Per usual from the GOP, it's bad faith BS."

'SQUAD' DEFENDER OF ALLEGED CHINESE SPY APP TIED TO NONPROFIT THAT RECEIVED $150K FROM ITS PARENT COMPANY

Pfeiffer's comments follow several other Democrats rushing to TikTok's defense. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to the app on Saturday and came out against a ban.

"This is not only my first TikTok, but it is a TikTok about TikTok," Ocasio-Cortez said. "Do I believe TikTok should be banned? No."

"I think it's important to discuss how unprecedented of a move this would be," she continued. "The United States has never before banned a social media company from existence, from operating in our borders, and this is an app that has over 150 million Americans on it."

Atrio of Democratic lawmakersalso held a press conference on Capitol Hill last week defending TikTok. During the gathering, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman claimed that politicians are hypocrites for singling out the app when its American-owned counterparts have allowed Russia, for example, "to interfere with our 2016 election" and have "allowed lies and misinformation to live on their platforms."

FBI DIRECTOR CHRIS WRAY TESTIFIES CHINESE-OWNED TIKTOK HAS POWER TO 'DRIVE NARRATIVES,' 'DIVIDE AMERICANS'

Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama senior adviser, said Republicans are engaging in "bad faith BS" when it comes to pushing for a TikTok ban. (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Bowman also suggestedthat racism fuels TikTok's opposition. "Let's not have a dishonest conversation," he said. "Let's not be racist towards China and express our xenophobia when it comes to TikTok because American companies have done tremendous harm to American people."

Bowman, meanwhile, is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, whose affiliated nonprofit, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, in Decemberreceived a $150,000 donationfrom ByteDance, TikTok's parent company. The donation went towards honoring members of the caucus.

California Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, joined Bowman at the press conference. Like the Congressional Black Caucus, a nonprofit affiliated with the Hispanic caucus received a $150,000 donation from ByteDance in December, Fox News Digital previously reported. Ocasio-Cortez is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, have been sounding the alarm over what they say are Chinese spying concerns.

DESANTIS SAYS HE WOULD BAN TIKTOK NATIONWIDE IF GIVEN THE AUTHORITY: 'I DON'T WANT OUR KIDS ON' THIS STUFF

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal about her opposition to a TikTok ban. (ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"The evidence that China is using TikTok to spy on and influence American citizens is clear, and it only keeps mounting as time goes on," Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wrote in aFox News Digital op-ed.

"Moreover, Beijing's influence on ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, is undeniable. Not only does Chinese law compel ByteDance to hand over data at a moment's notice, but the Chinese government also holds an ownership stake in the tech giant's key domestic subsidiary."

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Last Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before theHouse Energy and Commerce Committee. During the hearing, Republican Florida Rep. Neal Dunn asked whether ByteDance had ever spied on American citizens.

"I don't think that spying is the right way to describe it," Chew responded.

Pfeiffer did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

Fox News Digital's Gabriel Hays contributed reporting.

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Former top Obama aide claims GOP concerns over alleged Chinese spy app is 'bad faith BS' - Fox News

A former top aide toPresident Obamasaid Republicans targeting TikTok is "bad faith BS," the latest in a string of Democrats downplaying or defending the popular social media app amid Chinese espionage fears.

Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama senior adviser who now co-hosts Pod Save America, took to Twitter over the weekend to make the comments as fears surrounding the app continue to grow. Last year, a report showed that a TikTok team in China accessed data of U.S. TikTok users, including two journalists.

"The Republicans see the issue as a win-win," Pfeiffer tweeted. "If Biden doesn't ban TikTok, they can paint him as soft on China. If Biden does ban TikTok, he risks alienating the young voters who put him over the top in 2020. Per usual from the GOP, it's bad faith BS."

'SQUAD' DEFENDER OF ALLEGED CHINESE SPY APP TIED TO NONPROFIT THAT RECEIVED $150K FROM ITS PARENT COMPANY

Pfeiffer's comments follow several other Democrats rushing to TikTok's defense. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to the app on Saturday and came out against a ban.

"This is not only my first TikTok, but it is a TikTok about TikTok," Ocasio-Cortez said. "Do I believe TikTok should be banned? No."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I think it's important to discuss how unprecedented of a move this would be," she continued. "The United States has never before banned a social media company from existence, from operating in our borders, and this is an app that has over 150 million Americans on it."

Atrio of Democratic lawmakersalso held a press conference on Capitol Hill last week defending TikTok. During the gathering, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman claimed that politicians are hypocrites for singling out the app when its American-owned counterparts have allowed Russia, for example, "to interfere with our 2016 election" and have "allowed lies and misinformation to live on their platforms."

FBI DIRECTOR CHRIS WRAY TESTIFIES CHINESE-OWNED TIKTOK HAS POWER TO 'DRIVE NARRATIVES,' 'DIVIDE AMERICANS'

Story continues

Bowman also suggestedthat racism fuels TikTok's opposition. "Let's not have a dishonest conversation," he said. "Let's not be racist towards China and express our xenophobia when it comes to TikTok because American companies have done tremendous harm to American people."

Bowman, meanwhile, is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, whose affiliated nonprofit, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, in Decemberreceived a $150,000 donationfrom ByteDance, TikTok's parent company. The donation went towards honoring members of the caucus.

California Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, joined Bowman at the press conference. Like the Congressional Black Caucus, a nonprofit affiliated with the Hispanic caucus received a $150,000 donation from ByteDance in December, Fox News Digital previously reported. Ocasio-Cortez is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, have been sounding the alarm over what they say are Chinese spying concerns.

DESANTIS SAYS HE WOULD BAN TIKTOK NATIONWIDE IF GIVEN THE AUTHORITY: 'I DON'T WANT OUR KIDS ON' THIS STUFF

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal about her opposition to a TikTok ban.

"The evidence that China is using TikTok to spy on and influence American citizens is clear, and it only keeps mounting as time goes on," Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wrote in aFox News Digital op-ed.

"Moreover, Beijing's influence on ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, is undeniable. Not only does Chinese law compel ByteDance to hand over data at a moment's notice, but the Chinese government also holds an ownership stake in the tech giant's key domestic subsidiary."

Last Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before theHouse Energy and Commerce Committee. During the hearing, Republican Florida Rep. Neal Dunn asked whether ByteDance had ever spied on American citizens.

"I don't think that spying is the right way to describe it," Chew responded.

Pfeiffer did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

View original post here:
Former top Obama aide claims GOP concerns over alleged Chinese spy app is 'bad faith BS' - Yahoo News

Dear editor,

As we all know from numerous Chicago City Council debates, protests, and letters to the Hyde Park Herald, many South Side Chicagoans have been outraged that the Obama Presidential Center has been locatedor not locatedin their neighborhood. Clearly, no location will satisfy all constituencies, so heres a modest proposal: Why dont we build hundreds of Obama Centers in neighborhoods all over the South Side?

Talented and charismatic politicians such as Barack Obama appeal to individuals in a variety of ways. For instance, Obama has always been a Rorschach test for left-of-center voters who have endlessly debated whether he is a pragmatic centrist or closet radical. But what if everyone on the South Side could create their own Obama Center and reimagine for themselves and others which Obama is important to them? In Obamas adopted hometown, centers would no doubt celebrate his history-making status as the first black president, his policy victories, his soaring rhetoric, and his community work here in Chicago. By contrast, local conservativesand college students who think they are funny might feel compelled to design ironic Obama Centers. And, of course, postmodern Obama Centers (perhaps actual houses of cards?) might serve as commentaries on the very notion of an Obama Center or whether Americans should practice politics as a form of hero-worship.

More practically, each South Side resident with an available room would have space for an Obama Center. The layout and memorabilia would vary depending on room size and building access. (Renters could negotiate with landlords about center aesthetics and permanency.) Those with two extra rooms could have two Obama Centers, each with a separate interpretation of Obamas significance, or maybe just one for Barack and one for Michelle. Side hustles for empty nesters might include remaking recently vacated rooms as Obama Centers, Airbnbs, or gift shops. Businesses could also get into the act: staff at Valois Restaurant could do a podcast from Baracks Tableplaced right across from Slims Table. And perhaps an Obamacare Center at the University of Chicago Medical Center? Repurposing existing real estate as Obama Centers could bring needed investments to many (not just one) South Side neighborhoods without costly, large-scale construction compromising existing neighborhood cultures, spaces, or parks. This solution would thus honor not only Obama but also Jane Jacobss New Urbanism.

The possibilities are endless. Many Obama Centers would be solely online, but some people could also reinvent themselves as Obama Centers and I dont just mean tattoos or plastic surgery. Could a new performance art form, the Obama Center, come into existence on historically significant street corners, like where the Obamas first kissed on 53rd and Dorchester? Of course, academics at Chicago universities would also study the economic and cultural impacts of various Obama Centers. And Obama Center tourism would become the fashion for political wannabes thumbing Obama-centered travel books at the Seminary Coop Bookstore (e.g., Lonely Planet: Obama Center).

Our belated solution would also stimulate surprisingly useful political debates, even if the official Obama Presidential Center has already been built in Jackson Park. For although the official center might be a resonant physical analogue for Obamas now monumental career, having hundreds more Obama Centers would also encourage people to visit neighborhoods new to them, to discuss politics with people there, and to put new political coalitions together. The resulting community organizing might productively highlight the now downplayed Chicago-based activist work of the younger Obama, thus reshaping ongoing discussions about his political legacy and the official center designed to promote that legacy. And isnt that, seriously, what presidential centers are supposed to do?

In jest,

William Weaver

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A belated solution to the Obama Presidential Center location debate - Hyde Park Herald