Not a European holiday

The last time Barack Obama traipsed off to Europe, he was greeted by adoring throngs, excited beyond measure by the idea that he might be the next American president.

More than 200,000 came to see him speak last July in Berlin. The worship was such that Republican rival John McCain tried to boomerang it on Obama, comparing him in an Internet ad to bubble-headed celebrities like Britney Spears.

Now, Obama is the president, facing the reality of an economic crisis, and likely to hear some tough talk as he arrives at the G-20 economic summit in London.

This week, the crowds greeting Obama won't be as large. And some of them won't be cheering, but rather jeering him and other world leaders because of the global recession. An estimated 35,000 union members, environmentalists, and others marched in the first major protest over the weekend, and more are planned.