Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street on July 26, 2008 in London.   Obama spent the day  meeting with British political leaders in London on the final stop of his world tour that included visits to Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel and the West Bank, Germany and France.

The man who hopes to be the next US president said: “You’re always more popular before you’re actually in charge. Once you’re responsible then you’re going to make some people unhappy.”

Speaking after nearly two hours of talks, Senator Obama added that he had not given Mr Brown any words of advice however.

Mr Obama and Mr Brown had talked about strengthening the relationship between the US and Britain. He said he had thanked Mr Brown for Britain’s “stalwart assistance” over issues such as Afghanistan and knew British troops had “borne a heavy price”.

However, the Democrat candidate hinted that the US hoped for further support in the region: “We’d like that burden shared,” he said.

The two men also discussed Iraq, Middle East, the Far East, the world economy, climate change and space travel during a whistle-stop tour of the capital.

Mr Obama separately met arguably Britain’s three most senior politicians in the space of just over four hours. He saw Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister, for breakfast and, after meeting the Prime Minister, met with David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader.

Mr Obama spoke of the fondness for the British people in the US. “I think there is a deep and abiding affection for the British people in America and a fascination with all things British. That’s not going to go away any time soon.”

He also spoke of Britain and America’s shared history and the role of the “English tradition” in shaping the US constitution.

He recounted the two countries’ shared language, belief in the rule of law and due process before adding: “We just like the people.”

During his time with Mr Brown, the two leaders enjoyed a short walkabout near Horse Guards Parade, which sits behind the Prime Minister’s residence next to St James’s Park. Members of the public looked on as the pair strolled together with their security staff.

Mr Obama said: “We took a walk out back and I was hoping to keep going all the way through the park, but our respective secret service security details pulled us back.”

The US politician’s hectic, but nevertheless low-key, visit to Britain contrasted with the “Obamania” he created in Gemany when he delivered a speech to a crowd of 200,000 in Berlin on Thursday.

Mr Obama had arrived on time in Downing Street at 9.00 am precisely, a man on a mission. The man who, in just four months hopes to become the first black US President, stepped out of a black Mercedes people carrier and paused in front of 10 Downing Street.

Slim and be-suited, he turned to journalists, photographers and cameramen watching his every move. “Hello”, he said with a broad smile and a secession of regal waves.

Mr Brown was there to greet him. Mr Obama put an arm on the Prime Minister’s shoulder. Mr Brown slipped his arm onto the senator’s back. It was not a hug but a warm greeting with smiles all round.

With that, the black door was closed and the pair shook hands, out of public view, just as Mr Brown had shaken the hand of the republican Senator John McCain three months earlier.

Source: Barack Obama reassures Gordon Brown over popularity crisis

Photo credit: Photos 1-2; 4-6, 8 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe; Photos 3, 7 Jim Young/Reuters

Here is video of Senator Barack Obama’s press conference at 10 Downing Street after his meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

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Video & Photos: Barack Obama in London, England 7-26-08