"Mr Darling, a long-time ally of Mr Brown, yesterday insisted the Government had to accept 'collective responsibility' for the banking collapse that has led to the deepest global downturn since the war." Is Mr. Darling off-script or what? Prime Minister Brown "... told colleagues the Tories would win a huge propaganda victory if he expressed any regrets." Brown rift with Darling as PM refuses to apologise for mistakes in handling of economy | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1158744/Brown-rift-Darling-PM-refuses-apologise-mistakes-handling-economy.html)
Perhaps Obama's team as assessed PM Brown as damaged goods and is keeping its distance. The PM sounds a bit needy, don't you think? "Suggestions that the new President's crowded diary made it impossible to give more time to Mr Brown rang hollow after it emerged that his other engagements included a routine speech to the Department for Interior and a meeting with the Boy Scouts of America." Mr President and the PM, the best of acquaintances: Is the historic special relationship between America and Britain under strain? | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1158395/Mr-President-PM-best-acquaintances-Is-historic-special-relationship-America-Britain-strain.html)

Our two posts on this topic should be merged into one. This explains the President's actions a lot. Brown is just another prop to be used and thrown under the bus when finished.

If you recall ; Brown and Tony Blair had some kind of deal where Blair would step down and Brown would replace him. Blair renaged on the deal and extended his time as PM because it is generally undertood that Brown is incompetent.

Clearly Brown wanted to be linked with the temporarily popular President and ride his coat-tails but evidently Obama sees no advantage in nurturing the relationship.