Remember the "blooper" that Obama dropped during the election campaign?

"It is wonderful to be back in Oregon," Obama said. "Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it." ... At a later stop Obama was talking with reporters and expressed concern he'd also mis-stated the number of potential cyclone victims in Burma. He said, "I understand I said there were 57 states today. It's a sign that my numeracy is getting a little, uh." At that point, an aide cut him off and ushered journalists out. Before he could mis-speak again?
It turns out that it wasn't a mistake after all. He really does believe in 57 states ... just not in the United States of America. Gulf News reports on Obama's 57-state solution...
Surprisingly, however, Obama has now come up with the '57-state solution', leaked to the world by King Abdullah of Jordan. The idea builds upon the Arab Initiative, which calls for collective peace between the 22 member states of the Arab League, and Israel. The new plan calls for peace between Israel and 57 Muslim states, not just the members of the Arab League... Many in the Arab world are doubtful that the 57-state solution will bear fruit. Obama however, has surely tested the waters with most of the 57-states involved - members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference - who are due to meet in Syria on May 23, before discussing his plan with King Abdullah.
Also worth noting in the comments:
I think Obama stands head and shoulders above any previous American president except for Jimmy Carter in his vision for the Middle East. (Says a reader from Chapel Hill, USA)
As I said before: even the left is starting to drawing parallels between Carter and Obama. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: if 4 years of Carter brought 8 years of Reagan, then let's hope that 4 years of a Mega-Carter will bring 8 years of a Mega-Reagan.
[Update] I just noticed something strange. When the founder of the ancient Chinese Han Dynasty died, his empire consisted of 57 kingdoms and commanderies. Who knows? Maybe Obama thought he was campaigning to rule the Han Dynasty? Just as strangely, I mentioned that emperor (Liu Bang) not long ago.