What Do You Think About Obama Visiting Sweden?

Barack Obama. (Photo by Pete Souza, via)

It's a big day today. And that's not only because it's Beyonce's birthday. This morning, president Barack Obama arrived in Sweden as the first ever American president to officially visit the capital. Obama will have a busy 24 or so hours, visiting the Great Synagogue in Stockholm and chit-chat with Sweden's prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, hold a press conference about climate change and Syria, and finally wrap-up the trip with a visit to the royal family before he'll head east to Russia tomorrow morning.

This is a huge deal for the the Swedish government and mass media. But what about all of us who will have to restructure our morning routines and cancel trips along the highways when the entire Swedish capital shuts down during Obama's stay? I wanted to know what regular Swedes think about Obama's one-of-a-kind state visit, so I went out on the streets of Stockholm to find out.

VICE: What do you think about Obama visiting Sweden?
Janne: Well, I don't know. I think it's pretty unnecessary with state visits in general. Why?
I think it works just as good with the phone and the internet. That's cheaper, too. What is a must-see for Obama while he's here?
I'd like to show him the West coast, Skåne and maybe Roslagen. The nature here is a pretty different compared to the nature in the US.

Josefin: I think it's fun that he comes here! I'm a big Obama-fan. But the traffic chaos sucks. If you were to guide him through Stockholm, what would you like to show him?
I would take him out running on the south side so he would get a chance to clear his head. I would finish it off with a swim and brunch in Hornstull. George: I don't really have an opinion. I don't really care… It's just going to be a few formal handshakes and some tweets from Carl Bildt. So what if you were the one welcoming Obama – what is a non-formal and chilled out way to hang with him?
I'd like to take him out for a beer. Titiyo: I think his visit is epic! And it's even more incredible that all of Stockholm shuts down when he's around. Although I think it's pretty boring to hear Stockholmers moan about the traffic not working. Don't traffic jams bother you at all?
No, and it's just for one day! Plus, it's nice to take a walk when it's sunny. If you were hanging out with him for a day, what would you like to do with him?
I'd invite him for a barbecue at my place, and talk about how to get the American congress to get their shit together.

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