What Barack Obama told David Cameron

Microphones picked up the conversation in the Conservative leader's office. "You should be on the beach," Cameron told Obama. "You need a break." "You've got to refresh yourself," agreed Obama. "Do you have a break at all?" asked Cameron. "I have not," said Obama. "I am going to take a week in August." A former White House aide had told him that "the most important thing is to have big chunks of time during the day when all you're doing is thinking. And the biggest mistake that a lot of these folks make is just feeling as if you have to be…" "These guys just chalk your diary up," said Cameron. "Right," Obama said. "In 15-minute increments…" "We call it the dentist's waiting room. You have to scrap that because you've got to have time." "And, well, and you start making mistakes," Obama said, "or you lose the big picture. Or... [read full story]