Just so you know, I'm trying to be fair here. My personal policy is not give in to ODS (Obama Derangement
Syndrome, as opposed to B(ush)DS). I have my bias of course, and I'm going to be critical of Obama, but I'll try and keep it to things he actually
does, rather than things that he is anticipated to do. No wild conspiracy theories here.
That said, I think in terms of foreign relations, he may already have shot himself in the foot. And that's not good for the country as a whole. And
I'll bet you that the WAY in which he shot himself is something you didn't even think of.
To wit -
Remember this story?
Drudge reports:
The Bush adviser was being kind.
Put yourself in the position of, say, the Prime Minister of England. You look across the pond and think to yourself. "Uh oh, I better cover my ass when
I meet with Obama. Should I record all our meetings? Never meet him alone and stick to having staff around? How well can we trust that state secrets will stay
safe?"
Let's be clear. To make meetings between leaders worth while, they must be able to trust each other. The major part of that trust is built on the
assumption that their private discussions will remain confidential. Barack Obama has just informed world leaders that he cannot be trusted with confidential
information. So much for Obama personal diplomacy as a cure all for America's international problems. Not good.
And no I'm NOT happy and this is not schadenfreude. This is potentially bad for the country, not just for him. He can fix it, possibly, by being
scrupulous from here on out. But he's already started off on the wrong foot.
EDIT:
Okay, since perhaps you'd like more attributions for this. Here are a few culled from a Google search (which anyone can do)
US News and World
Report Article
Gawker Article
Edit: Fixed two of the links. But the Reuters one doesn't seem to exist anymore. Strange.
Syndrome, as opposed to B(ush)DS). I have my bias of course, and I'm going to be critical of Obama, but I'll try and keep it to things he actually
does, rather than things that he is anticipated to do. No wild conspiracy theories here.
That said, I think in terms of foreign relations, he may already have shot himself in the foot. And that's not good for the country as a whole. And
I'll bet you that the WAY in which he shot himself is something you didn't even think of.
To wit -
Remember this story?
Drudge reports:
Quote: Just hours after President Bush and President-elect Obama met in the Oval Office of the White House, details of their confidential conversation began leaking
out to the press, igniting anger from the president, sources claim.
"Senator Obama would be wise to keep close counsel," a top Bush source warned.
"BUSH AND OBAMA AT ODDS OVER AID FOR AUTO INDUSTRY," splashed the NEW YORK TIMES in an exclusive Monday evening, quoting "people familiar
with the discussion."
The two met at the White House in private, without staff.
"Bush indicated at the meeting that he might support some aid and a broader economic stimulus package if Obama and congressional Democrats
dropped their opposition to a free-trade agreement with Colombia," claimed the TIMES. . . .
The ASSOCIATED PRESS quickly followed with details of the conversation, citing "aides who described the discussion on grounds of anonymity, citing
the private nature of the meeting."
Bush advisers view the leaks as an effort to undermine the president's remaining days in office.
"Senator Obama may not be familiar with a long-standing tradition of presidents holding their private conversations, private," a senior adviser
explained to the DRUDGE REPORT.
The Bush adviser was being kind.
Put yourself in the position of, say, the Prime Minister of England. You look across the pond and think to yourself. "Uh oh, I better cover my ass when
I meet with Obama. Should I record all our meetings? Never meet him alone and stick to having staff around? How well can we trust that state secrets will stay
safe?"
Let's be clear. To make meetings between leaders worth while, they must be able to trust each other. The major part of that trust is built on the
assumption that their private discussions will remain confidential. Barack Obama has just informed world leaders that he cannot be trusted with confidential
information. So much for Obama personal diplomacy as a cure all for America's international problems. Not good.
And no I'm NOT happy and this is not schadenfreude. This is potentially bad for the country, not just for him. He can fix it, possibly, by being
scrupulous from here on out. But he's already started off on the wrong foot.
EDIT:
Okay, since perhaps you'd like more attributions for this. Here are a few culled from a Google search (which anyone can do)
US News and World
Report Article
Gawker Article
Edit: Fixed two of the links. But the Reuters one doesn't seem to exist anymore. Strange.