Europe still worships him and Washington's Obamatrons remain smitten, but former supporters are turning on the President

Obama loses the Left: suddenly, it’s cool to bash Barack

Toby Harnden
Published: 3:07PM BST 05 Jun 2010


President Barack Obama presents Paul McCartney with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House Photo: AP

Well, at least he's still got Sir Paul McCartney. At the White House last week, the 67-year-old crooner was gushing in much the same manner as his own groupies did at Shea Stadium in 1965. "I'm a big fan, he's a great guy," McCartney told American critics of President Barack Obama. "So lay off him, he's doing great."

Later, McCartney serenaded the First Lady with a rendition of Michelle and, receiving a prize from the Library of Congress, took a cheap shot at President George W Bush that was as unfunny as it was unoriginal. “After the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows what a library is.â€