By Noel Sheppard
December 10, 2009 - 23:44 ET
Bio: http://newsbusters.org/bios/noel-sheppard.html
Archive: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard

Story Link: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/12/10/obama-snubs-kids-event-oslo-cardboard-cutout-put-his-place

Secondary Link (Allahpundit): http://hotair.com/archives/2009/12/10/snubbed-norwegians-replace-absent-obama-at-event-with-cardboard-cutout/

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Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama skipped a "Save the Children" benefit concert in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, and a cardboard cutout of the American president was placed on stage in his absence.

In Oslo to receive an award that most people believe he didn't deserve, Obama claimed, "I still have a lot of work to do back in Washington, D.C., before the year is done."

According to the Associated Press, Obama also skipped lunch with the King of Norway.

Maybe he didn't want to create another international incident bowing before royalty (larger version of picture below the fold, h/t Allahpundit):

Obama had quite a whirlwind day Thursday - he signed the Nobel guest book, huddled with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, met with King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and delivered an acceptance speech after he was formally presented with the prize. He also joined the king and queen at an evening banquet.

But he skipped several other activities, including lunch with the king, a news conference at Oslo's Grand Hotel, CNN's traditional interview with the prize winner and a "Save the Children" benefit concert, where organizers replaced him with an Obama cardboard cutout.

Here's a larger version of the incriminating picture with Obama cutout top right: (see second photo link)

As Allah said, "Not quite as good as the presidential box but still pretty funny."

Indeed.