In 2008 another wise man said: “The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.” Too bad Obama is receiving an F, because he makes America look bad
(WSJ) Why, across the world, are America’s hands so tied?
A large part of the answer is our leader’s terrible timing. In virtually every foreign-affairs crisis we have faced these past five years, there was a point when America had good choices and good options. There was a juncture when America had the potential to influence events. But we failed to act at the propitious point; that moment having passed, we were left without acceptable options. In foreign affairs as in life, there is, as Shakespeare had it, “a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.â€
When protests in Ukraine grew and violence ensued, it was surely evident to people in the intelligence community—and to the White House—that President Putin might try to take advantage of the situation to capture Crimea, or more. That was the time to talk with our global allies about punishments and sanctions, to secure their solidarity, and to communicate these to the Russian president. These steps, plus assurances that we would not exclude Russia from its base in Sevastopol or threaten its influence in Kiev, might have dissuaded him from invasion. …
Able leaders anticipate events, prepare for them, and act in time to shape them. My career in business and politics has exposed me to scores of people in leadership positions, only a few of whom actually have these qualities. Some simply cannot envision the future and are thus unpleasantly surprised when it arrives. Some simply hope for the best. Others succumb to analysis paralysis, weighing trends and forecasts and choices beyond the time of opportunity.
I’ve mentioned before that Obama always seems to either be behind the curve or unengaged. Or on the wrong side. And he really has no international friendships or allies. The Washington Post noted that Obama’s foreign policy is based on fantasy. And I wrote that he doesn’t seem to care about the details of the job, and that his policy is all based upon things happening now. There is no strategic thinking. This is what Romney is stating: there is no forethought, no planing, it’s all about now. And that Obama is always behind the curve. He doesn’t come out and say that Obama just doesn’t care, but I will: Obama just doesn’t care, unless it is for the Betterment Of Obama.
Pirate,
In 2008 Putin invaded Georgia (and the Russians are still there) and the President did nothing. So, no wonder Putin thought he could enter Crimea in 2014. We didn’t stand up to him in 2008.
Who was President in 2008 when Putin invaded Georgia and why didn’t that President (who said he had looked into Putin’s soul) stop Putin then? Wouldn’t that have nipped Putin’s aggressions in the bud?
And really, Mr. Romney. Foreign policy is a bit more complex and unpredictable than looting corporations. Bain Corporation didn’t have to worry about invasions, nuclear programs and Republican saboteurs. You see Mr. Romney, you ran Bain as Putin runs Russia. The big difference is that Putin despises 87% while you only despise 47%.
Meanwhile, your Messiah, Barack Obama, is fumbling around worse than Carter ever did. He’s a laughing stock, and has reduced America to just another weak country. I understand you need to deflect away from these issues, your messianic worship of Obama blinds you.
Teach,
That’s all you got? Namecalling and nonsense? I have no messiah and am no fan of Obama (although he is still better than McCain or Romney would have been).
Have you learned nothing about evidence? I guess conservatives don’t need no stinkin’ evidence. It’s the gut feelings that count.
Like all Presidents, Obama has had foreign policy failures and successes.
As to him being a laughingstock, international polling shows the opposite. His policies were viewed more favorably than Bush’s,[1] or either of the Republican presidential opponents, McCain [2] or Romney[3]), and the foreign opinion of the US has improved since he became President[4].
So why make things up? Why inject your unsupported opinion? Did Putin invade Crimea because he thinks Obama is weak? I have no idea what Putin believes, since I haven’t seen into his soul like Mr. Bush claimed he had. What’s clear is that Mr. Putin (invaded and still occupies) part of Georgia before Obama was elected. Was that because he considered Bush and Cheney to be weak? I don’t know.
1. “America’s Global Image Remains More Positive than China’s.” Pew Research Center Global Attitudes Project. 18 July 2013.
2. “World Citizens Prefer Obama to McCain by More Than 3-to-1.” Gallup. 28 October 2008.
3. Gordts, Eline. “U.S. Election: International Polls Indicate World Would Vote For Obama.” The Huffington Post. 5 November 2012.
4. “International Views of US Continue to Improve.” GlobeScan. 7 March 2011.
Amazing.
After five years, it is still all Bush’s fault.
But the facts don’t back that up. When the Russians invaded Georgia in 2008, then Senator Obama was predictably indecisive and wishy washy. He refused to take a stance on the issue then and therefor by that indecision, Putin knew Obama was the REMF is truly is.
Fast forward to this year. Obama calls Putin and tells him to stay out of the Ukraine. Based on the history of Obama – not Bush – Putin knew that Obama would not defend Ukraine or even back his words.
(After all, look how successful the alleged “red line” was in Syria.)
So instead of saying people like Romney and Palin got the prediction of the Russians invading the Ukraine right, the two were mocked then and are continued to be mocked.
Mocked for being right.
Now Jeffery wants to mock Romney for being successful in business. After all, Obama has successfully run his company…. oh wait. THERE IS NO COMPANY.
What you see here is just liberal outrage that Obama screwed up again. Instead of directing that outrage at the person who screwed up, they deflect and try and say “mommy! He did it too!”
After awhile, the childish response from liberals is predictable.
Oh, and by the way Jeffery, Al Gore and you are still hypocrites in the AGW debate and your unwillingness of you, Gore and people of your ilk to change your lifestyle shows that your talk about AGW is bluster and that you don’t actually believe what you type.
Actions speak louder than words Jeffery.
I guess conservatives don’t need no stinkin’ evidence.
Well, let’s see if the evidence backs your contentions, shall we?
You cite a Pew Research Poll, the results of which can be found here.
In 2008, 47% of the world believed the US was the world’s leading economic power. In 2013, that number has dropped to 41%.
In addition:
Of 22 countries surveyed in 2009 on Obama’s foreign policy, his rating has dropped in 21 of 22 of those countries.
As to him being a laughingstock, international polling shows the opposite.
With the press against everything that Bush did and fawning over Obama over everything he does, the Pew Poll shows that Obama has been a failure.
The other citations deal with how people outside the country would have voted in elections as well as a 2011 poll that contradicts only slightly contradicts the more recent Pew Research poll.
In other words, Jeffery lied.
Again.
But perhaps we need to look at a more recent poll on Obama and foreign policy conducted by CNN
That’s gotta burn, Jeffery. To have your cherry picked, outdated numbers totally wiped out by facts of today has to leave a burn that should have you heading to the hospital.
But we know that you won’t.
You’ll continue to lie and not respect or look at anything that contradicts your beliefs.
Oh, and by the way Jeffery, Al Gore and you are still hypocrites in the AGW debate and your unwillingness of you, Gore and people of your ilk to change your lifestyle shows that your talk about AGW is bluster and that you don’t actually believe what you type.
Actions speak louder than words Jeffery.
I do consider all the concepts you have introduced in your post.
They are really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for newbies.
May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thanks for the
post.
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