Fiona McCade: Obama - It's time for the pecking order to get sorted out

PERHAPS it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Perhaps they took one look into each other's eyes and fell so madly in love, they didn't know what to do next. Perhaps his people hadn't checked with her people about what was supposed to happen. Whatever the reason, when US President Barack Obama met France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, under the scrutiny of the world's press, something went horribly wrong.

And it had started out so well, too. French President Nicolas Sarkozy had already met the Obamas, so he and Barack had a manly hug, then Nicolas gave Michelle a warm kiss on each cheek and the cameras snapped merrily away. But then Barack had to say ...