Seven People President Obama Has Agreed to Meet With (Not Named Netanyahu)
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Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Citing a “long-standing practice” that precludes American presidents from meeting with heads of state on the eve of their elections, the White House announced this week President Obama has declined to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he comes to Washington in March to advocate for new sanctions against Iran.
House Speaker John Boehner had just announced he invited the Israeli leader to address Congress without consulting the White House — perceived to be a dig at the president, who promised in his State of the Union address on Tuesday to veto any new sanctions. (For his part, Boehner said, “I don’t believe I’m poking anyone in the eye.”)
Obama’s National Security Council spokeswoman said Thursday that, even though the president has met with Netanyahu several times at the White House in the past, the administration is seeking to “avoid the appearance of influencing a democratic election in a foreign country.”
The Israeli elections come just two weeks after Netanyahu is slated to visit Washington.
“The president has spent more time talking to Prime Minister Netanyahu than any other world leader,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest stressed to reporters Friday. “This president has certainly not allowed the disagreement over our Iran approach to in any way shake the commitment of the United States to the national security of Israel.”
Regardless of the reasoning, here are some of the other people the president has carved out time in his schedule to see. That list includes a woman who bathes in cereal, several pop stars and a man whose TV show concept revolves around green leafy plants:
1. GloZell Green
This Los Angeles comedian, who calls herself the “Queen of YouTube,” scored a coveted interview with Obama on Thursday. GloZell, who posts videos of hijinks such as attempting the cinnamon challenge and eating Fruit Loops in a bathtub full of milk, interviewed the president on more serious topics such as Cuba and race relations.
Selfie with @BarackObama @BethanyMota @hankgreen #YouTubeAsksObama #GloZellAsksObama pic.twitter.com/OhlG0c2Pf1
— GloZell Green (@GloZell) January 23, 2015
2. Katy Perry
Singer Katy Perry — of “Firework,” “Roar,” and “Teenage Dream” fame — is one of the president’s “favorite people.” Perhaps that’s why he agreed to meet with the pop star at a White House gala celebrating the Special Olympics in July 2014 with her Republican mother in tow.
May I exclusively present what might be the cutest photo ever taken: Me, Gma & POTUS! Happy voting tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/9CDZmuil
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) November 6, 2012
3. Zach Galifianakis
In March 2014, Obama sat down with Between Two Ferns comedian Zach Galifianakis to plug healthcare.gov. The decidedly irreverent interview, aired on the website Funny or Die, was panned by some as “beneath the dignity of the office.” But according to then-Press Secretary Jay Carney, the video was designed “to reach Americans where they live.” “It’s fair to say that I wouldn’t be with you here today if I didn’t had something to plug,” Obama deadpanned on the show.
4. George Clooney
In October 2010, the president met up with George Clooney to discuss U.S. involvement in southern Sudan. The president called the movie star a “a good man and a good friend,” as well as a “terrific advocate on behalf of the people in Darfur.”
5. Beyoncé and Jay Z
Power couple Bey and Jay have rubbed elbows with the president and the first lady a few times. Obama tweeted out this picture from a fundraiser at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club back in 2012.
PHOTO: A couple supporters in a New York state of mind last night. pic.twitter.com/vL3XyiZA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 19, 2012
6. Girl Scouts
White House photographer Pete Souza caught a fun moment featuring President Obama in a tiara. Girl Scout Troop 2612 met Obama this past year at the White House’s annual science fair.
7. Kid President
Also famous from YouTube, 9-year-old Robby Novak, or, as he is better known, Kid President, got to share an embrace with President Obama in the Oval Office.
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