Obama vs Harper

In general, world leaders are not seen as fun people; But some are definitely more serious than others.

Let us take, for example, recent events with American President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  An hilarious picture has been circulating around the internet (from the White House's official Flickr page) of President Obama pranking Trip Director Marvin Nicholson on a trip to the University of Texas in Austin.  Meanwhile in Inuvik NWT, Prime Minister Harper was filmed dancing (if you can call it that) with traditional Inuvialuit dancers.

Both of these are very likely pre-scripted photo ops.  But I really do have to give credit to Obama.  Personally, I think a good leader needs to be personable and actually have a personality.  Obama seems like a guy you could just sit down and have a beer with.  Harper seems more of a wine-and-cheese night type of person.

However, I will concede a point to Harper.  I would likely look as awkward and out of place in the same situation.  I don't think "traditional native dance" falls into the skill set of the average western Canadian white male.  But, I do think he just need to stick to playing the piano...