PITTSBURGH — Jose Manuel Durao Barroso just got an honorary degree from the University of Pittsburgh and all the hoopla that goes with that.

The president of the European Commission also got a friendly stage to talk about how he hoped the United States would take a page out of Europe’s book and move quickly on key economic issues like climate change and financial sector regulatory reform — which are also the big topics for the G20 meeting here.

“Open markets also need rules and smart regulation,” said Barroso at the conclusion of a lunch that the University held for him as recognition of the relationship the University has had with him as part of its European Union Center for Excellence.

Barroso has great manners and a good sense of humor. But he took every opportunity to tout the success of the 27 nations who have managed to agree on how to cut emissions, protect jobs with a carbon tax, and also approve a supervisory scheme to run its financial system.

“We have 27 nations in agreement. I think it’s a good example,” said Barroso.

The U.S., on the other hand, has been criticized for minimal commitments on climate change and has moved no legislation on protecting consumers from another economic meltdown like the one that began a year ago.

His visit to Oakland was light on security in comparison with preparations for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, which has brought waves of police and men with plugs in their ears to descend on Oakland, which is about five miles south of downtown where the actual G20 meetings are taking place.

But despite the precautions taken, the university stayed open, though most students took the afternoon off.

As for downtown, the locals have not much made effort to try and penetrate, deciding to work at home or take the day off. In fact, the Pirates’ game this afternoon had so few people in the stands — about 3,000 — that management closed the upper deck.

Cindy's Links:

More Dispatches:

• Latest