EA Audio Analysis: Britain, Europe, & the US Warning --- Scott Lucas with the BBC
Friday, January 11, 2013 at 7:10 | Scott Lucas in EA Global, Europe and Russia, UK and Ireland, US Foreign Policy 
Listen to the Audio (from 23:20)
On Wednesday, the Obama Administration created front-page news in Britain when Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said, "We want to see a strong British voice in that European Union," and warned against any referendum on the issue.
The ensuing flutter was predictable, with radio phone-ins filled with Britons denouncing the US intervention and sometimes often taking shots at "Europe".
I spoke yesterday with BBC WM about the episode, with the discussion beginning at 23:20.
Two take-away points, the second of which surprised presenter Adrian Goldberg:
1. Why did the US issue the warning? "It's the Economy, Stupid."
2. The Obama Administration probably spoke with Her Majesty's Government before Gordon made his remarks.
GOLDBERG: "So Britain colluded with the White House over this statement?"
LUCAS: "Colluded is such a harsh word. I prefer consulted."