Premier: Inauguration An ‘Uplifting Experience’
Premier Craig Cannonier has described his visit to Washington DC, for President Barack Obama’s Inauguration as “a very successful one”, noting that he was “proud to represent Bermuda” at such an historical occasion.
Premier and Mrs. Cannonier were also among the guests at The President’s Ball being held at the Washington Convention Centre.
Premier Cannonier said, “Our trip to Washington for the inauguration of President Barack Obama has been a very successful one, as we want to establish key relationships with the United States of America, as well as specific states on the east coast.”
The Premier said the opportunity to be in Washington DC during this historical time provided him with an invaluable opportunity to meet some key individuals and US lawmakers.
The Premier said, “My wife and I attended the Inaugural Ball for the State of Maryland on Sunday and met the following people: Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown; who is running for Governor of Maryland next year, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Benjamin Cardin, former Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; the daughter of the late Robert Kennedy, Secretary of State John Mc Donough, County Executive Isiah Leggett, Delegate Tom McMillan and Senator Bryan Frosh to name a few.”
He added, “There is much we Bermudians can learn from our great neighbour and friend, the United States of America.
“President Obama’s Second Inaugural Address is one such opportunity – a speech that proclaimed that the well being of the Country rests with the people, working for the people, powered by optimism and faith in founding principles of equality, justice and freedom.
“The message for me was clear: We progress when we work together, holding to values of responsibility, fairness and respect; embracing one another, leaving no one behind; and understanding that the journey to a better society is never complete.
“Inauguration Day was an uplifting and exciting experience for Antoinette and I, from the incredible wave of goodwill that rose from the hundreds of thousands of well-wishers on The Mall, to the words of the President below the Capitol dome. Quite a spectacle! Quite a day!
“I was thrilled to be a part of it, and proud to represent Bermuda,” concluded Premier Cannonier.
First
))
and on the local front….Kernal Klutz is mouthing off on 102.7 LOL
I’m glad you’re listening
lol!!!
Welcome back!
Glad we could pick up the tab for you and your wife to have a little party after all your hard work. Don’t worry about things back home; I’m sure everything will work out fine.
Where would you like to go next? London’s a bit cold, how about somewhere south?
This is the new Government – not the PLP with all their lavish voerdone travelligna dn parties so pipe down!!
Didn’t notice your interest in this when Ewart spent $100k on the initial inauguration.
Its still a boondoggle at our expense. Even if he could only wrangle a couple of tickets at the cheap seats ball.
Dear Premier Cannonier,
Please enjoy these trips as the next go round will be attended by Premier Dunkley.
Those who know, simply know.
By the way, thanks for that statement where you are standing strong for Bermuda to rid the country of racism.
Mrs. Cannonier reminds me of Michelle Obama a little bit lol…
I do not see that at all.
Complexion, smile, arched eyebrows and the way she carries herself. We all see things differently. I did say she reminds ME…
I think maybe I do see it now
We all look alike anyway. So I can see why you see that Antointte looks like Michelle, aside from the fact that Michelle is twice as tall as she is.
Laverne, are you for real? No “we” don’t all like alike. And what does height have to do with looking like someone? My four year old looks like me, although I am twice as tall as she is so what’s your point. I don’t know if you’re really that dumb, or if you just pretend to be. By the way, go clean your house!!!
@Laverne Furbert. I look NOTHING like you. Please don’t insult me like that.
In her dreams
Thanks for representing from half a mile away…..Probably couldn’t even see Obama’s face from that far. Thank goodness for jumbotrons…
This just goes to prove that he was not there in any official capacity at all, on our dime.
At least he didn’t watch from a hotel tvl, like Ewart did.
Or spend nearly the amount of money
True…
he should pay for this trip out of his own pocket…what a fine start this Government is off to…..
Your comment is whats wrong with Bermuda’s society today. No respect… generally for anything… but in this particular case, for the office he holds. Like it or not he is the leader of the country and he will get certain invitations that he should attend. His wife is technically the first lady of the country and therefore should be afforded the courtesy of being able to attend the function with him. Not all but it is appropriate for him to be joined by his wife for some.
Would you expect the leader of another country to pay their own expenses, for many functions like this their wives or husbands have also been invited should they pay their own expenses. It is a very immature attitude to think that they should. He is invited as an official representative of Bermuda.
It doesn’t matter which political party is in power the respect for the office should be afforded to them.
From what I see it is the size of Bermuda that effectively brings on these kinds of comments because familiarity breeds contempt. You know the case of everybody knowing everybody. Most people know the leaders of the country on a much more personal level so its hard for them to respect that the person is now the leader of the country not just someone they went to school with or grew up in their neighborhood.
Travel for such things are surely an expected part of the job and therefore budgeted for.
I’m sure if Craig had been able to get his press secretary on board before the little trip she would have been able to word it so that this boondoggle sounded like he was meeting with Obama to discuss Bermuda’s military assistance in the Gulf.
This is not what I voted for. I voted for change; not more of the same but on a cheaper basis.
Can I have my vote back?
I’m glad you are now exposed for what you tuly are.You represent the worst element of the OBA. Those posters who say Ewart bad, Craig good; I can handle them because that’s partisanship which is part of politics. But this kind of petty, hateful, “crab in the barrel” stuff is what I worry about for this Premier. As I said yesterday, you can’t muster up enough pride in your country to want your top representative to be well taken care of while representing you. That’s self hatred on a deep level. Seek help.
At least we can be fairly sure there wasn’t a huge entourage befitting of a smuggler of human traffic.
Dee, I aree she does look a bit like Michelle it’s her smile and the look of a contented women.nice looking couple.
Yeah , kinda like what I would expect Michelle to look like the instant see opens her eyes after a good night sleep .
Well done Sir – none of that EFB talking down to folks after an event such as this one – Thank You for being so normal.
Thank you Mr. Premier for representing all Bermudians at this auspicious and historic event. I have absolutely no problem with you and Mrs Cannonier attending, and I would like to think that contrary to some of the nasty comments on these blogs that as our Premier you at least had an aide to assist you.
I had no problem with Premier Brown attending the first inauguration of President Obama. I see some PLP bloggers saying that it’s more of the same, and for that reason alone I suggest that they first check to see how big an entourage Premier Brown took with him compared to that taken by Premier Cannonier.
He is genuine and pleasent person and I am happy to have him as our Premier. What a difference from what we had. Jennifer Smith was eligent and spoke to persons. Mr Scott also spoke and showed a caring personality. But when it can to Dr Brown and Mrs Cox, they had terible personalities. I have the previege and opertunity to go to many functions due to the company I work for through them being major sponsors. They were very cold people and it showed in their demeanors and faces. People felt this, so what a breath of fresh air to have a couple that greets and speaks to all. This alone is a plus for Bermuda!!!
It boggles my mind…that you would be a representative of any company with spelling and grammar as atrocious as yours…
@ “Yes”…..lol @ “Swing Voter”….lol @ “Dee”…Where? I’m glad she reminds you of Michelle Obama, but —– @ “Standing Strong for Bermuda” I totally agree with you. It’s a PITY Mr. Cannonier can’t see it yet, but he will soon find out!! He is not LEADERSHIP QUALITY, he’s arrogant, has a bad temper and inexperienced and has not been and is not nice to people, especially his staff, and I speak from what I’ve seen with my own eyes, but give him his play for a bit, let him drive around in the premier’s car, let him sit in the premier seat for a while and feel all proud…then watch…a BIG K because K’s Kick!!! It’s a shame that so many people can see what will happen but he’s so naive!! Oh well……NEXT!!!!!!!!
This may be a wrong assumption, but I would put a wager on the fact that Really?? is black. Why do I say this? I find that some blacks in our community – and I mean just some – simply cannot accept that a black leader, whether it be in business or politics, is anything more than a puppet in the hands of white folks. This was said of Sir E.T. Richards, of Dr. Clarence James, of Sir John Swan (wasn’t he our longest serving Premier), former Premier Pamela Gordon (daughter of the most influential leader in the history of unions in Bermuda), and even Mr. Phillip Butterfield (President and CEO of the Bank of Bermuda), and on and on it goes.
Having known Craig Cannonier for only a few years I have come to greatly respect him as a man who speaks his mind and has a sense of purpose. It remains to be seen if he will be great political leader, especially at such a diffiult time in our history, but until such time as he proves otherwise we should respect him as our Premier and give him due credit as he starts his new administration.
Brilliantly written
I am proud that the Canonier’s could be there to represent us and it is important to understand the importance of the connections that they are likely to make in Washington to further Bermuda’s agenda. The negativity and moaning of some posters to this blog are so tiresome….
Again, for the record I am happy that the Premier was able to attend the inauguration and the President’s Ball. I believe that he had every right to be there and enjoy the event(s).
However, for the record, the Premier was not there in any official capacity, nor was he invited to the event(s).
He stated above that he attended the President’s Ball on Sunday – which was the State of Maryland’s Ball – the President did not attend, for the record. I applaud his efforts in meeting with the list of dignitaries above, but this was informal and casual meet & greets (over dinner) which do not add up to diplomatic discussions or negotiations. We were represented by the British Ambassador, Sir Peter W – not the Premier and it is dishonest to say otherwise.
I share this next point as just to clarify – - my friend from the state of Georgia attended the inauguration. She was very excited and sent several pictures to me from the day. She – a nobody in the political arena – a simple common, hard working American – was closer to the grand stand than our Premier based on his photo provided above.
I can say that I am glad that the Premier was there to experience the inauguration, but it was an individual – not on behalf of the people of Bermuda. Anyone of us could have gone to experience it and stood where he stood.
Be that as it may, again, I will state that I am happy for him and his lovely wife – they looked like they enjoyed it.
Yng Black Mind
Some people have nothing better to do than talk about others ………….whe should be honoured as Bermudians that our Premier was invited to such a great Occasion.
At least we know were our Premier is ………..with the previouse government we never knew were the Premier was ………we found out later ………oh yes shipping people in from other countreie over night for humaniterian needs mmmmmmmm LOL and playing with PlayBOY Girls. the list goes on and on………………
Lol that’s the thing – he wasn’t invited. And all those people he met with? Or did he just meet? I feel this was framed as such a networking occasion but meeting people and meeting with people are two totally different things! There was no way on an inauguration day that the Premier could have ‘met with’ these people. I am fine with Premier Cannonier going – but let’s be real about the context.
you seem to know it all ………..how do you know he was not invited,,,,,,,,,,or are you presuming
Craig, Thanks for going. We are proud of you. I am glad you managed to meet a few people. This type of exposure is good for Bermuda.
Sorry about those who do not understand how important this part of your new role is. Every Premier has had the responsibility to represent us overseas. Your role is no different. I think your motives are in the right place. Keep up the good work. Bermuda is very fortunate to have you and your Government at this time.
Attending an event such as this IS inspirational. Contacts are made, relationships are strengthened…this can only assist our Premier in governing our country. Stand Tall Premier. We’ve got your back.
Once he returns I wonder if he will do the Gary Moreno show or the Sherri Simmons show. I want to see and hear from my leader, unscripted.
Tell us what is it you would like our leader to talk about…………LOL
Let’s ask him (1) did he or did he not approve the hiring of Corey Butterfield, (2) how did he manage to win an election when he was hidden from the public for the final 2 weeks, and (3) who will be Premier in September?
Well done,the OBA are the govt now.
No more PLP lies!
I hope the Premier was able to hear and understand the part of the President’s speech where he vowed to work toward equal rights for the LGBT community… it’s what civilized countries do Mr Canonier – take note – equality is for all people!