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Obama's Bad Trip
Most have compared Obama’s trip unfavorably to his predecessors, citing President Clinton’s discussion of human rights, and President Bush’s repeated efforts to pressure the Chinese for religious freedom. But neither Clinton nor Bush succeeded in advancing either cause, no matter how high-profile their challenge to Beijing. Obama may have taken a different tack in largely avoiding public criticism of China, but it’s not clear whether he’s coming home any more empty-handed than 42 and 43 did.
The one advance made on Obama’s trip: getting Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to express publicly his impatience with the pace of the talks about Iran’s nuclear program. “In case we fail,” Medvedev explained darkly, “the other options remain on the table in order to move the process in a different direction.”
President Bush long claimed to have a private agreement with his Russian counterpart about the need to halt the Iranian nuclear program. But he rarely, if ever, secured that kind of public support.
Of course, Medvedev could yet pull back from his apparent backing of a united approach. But thus far, the Russian president, of all people, has provided the clear highlight of what has been a rather difficult trip.
Richard Wolffe is Daily Beast columnist and an award-winning journalist, and senior strategist at Public Strategies. He covered the entire length of Barack Obama's presidential campaign for Newsweek magazine. His book, Renegade: The Making of a President, was published by Crown in June.
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Baddchild
Just click your heels 3 times and repeat after me there is no place like home..... poof!
ahhh, back home where the press kisses his butt and has more reporters fact checking a book by Palin than any policy of his.
Back home where imaginary districts produce and save imaginary jobs. I'll bet they would find gazillions more in those 7 extra states of his 57 United States.
Back home where Paul Krugman and EJ Dionne will tell everyone that the 12 trilliondebt you racked up is a good thing and you really need to spend more.
Back home where all he needs is a pat on the head from Raum Emanuel and everything will be ok...... awww.
Stick to community organizing Barry, your just not presidential material.
downbytheriver00
"... where the press kisses his butt and has more reporters fact checking a book by Palin than any policy of his." That's a good one and seems to be very true, especially the second half of this statement!
diamondgirl
Also perfect!
sophia5
Even though the Non-Partisan CBO warns us with statistics and hard
numbers in evaluating the unrealistic costs we're facing,
the Liberal Press still thinks Obama can solve anything
on Charisma. He's "so cool," he can fix anything.
And Money Grows On Trees . . . or on some Government Printing Press.
diamondgirl
I love it you are so right! I couldnt have said it better
numonk
"Gazillion" is not a number.
crypto
It is in congress!!!
Hotfrostins
I must agree there is no place like home and its good that its sinking deeper into the President.
The people fact checking and making the most noise by discrediting and disclaiming Sarahs GOP purge manual are Republicans and they are insiders who know her well.
Seven extra states? My how the whispering exageration has grown with distortion of the facts.Wasnt it Bush who first coined the term gazillions with his description of how much he would cut the debt with reckless taxcutting underfunded war policy? So many bought in and it just never came to be only more recession like his Daddy before him.
I read Krugman fairly often and have never seen him endorse or encourage "racked up" debt. Now his opinion on stimulus like the type initiated by Bush and followed up on by Obama to prevent economic depression is something very different.
Only in your BeckHannista fantasy would the relationship Rahm and the president exist so Benny Hill like, it must be the shock of a President not controlled and manipulated by subordinates that insults you.
Community organizing was just the beginning of a learning process which is enabling this President to reorganize the total disaray within the markets, diplomacy, deregulation and policy. So get ready, if the Cheney/Bush damage does not soon abate,you still may have at least 3 more years of change and restucture coming. This is what happens when you embrace a nitwit and allow him to rule over your nation for 8 years with freakishly damaging fiscal policy that was never funded.
clearthinker
Every single defense of Obama that you and fellow liberals can come up with is..."but Bush did.....". That is all you have? The PEOPLE of America voted Obama for President. This means we voted for him to lead us out of the problems we face. THis proves two points. This guy can't do it AND no government can lead anything, WE must do it ourselves.
Hotfrostins
Perhaps youll give him 8 years, and then pass judgment, 10 months is a very short time to try and repair a very damged system that was at least 8 years in the making. So forgive me of I must keep remingding you folks so in love with the all emcompassing FOX agenda, I just dont want you to forget where we came from, so we know where we are going.
tclemm
The Israelis take a very long view especially with regards to their major benefactor ($6 billion a year): the U.S. - no matter who is in power in Israel. Given Bush I gave them free reign and that they will never come to heel over settlments without major U.S. pressure (read: stop the $6 billion and military support). The longer we let the Israelis keep conquered territory the longer we will be fighting the War on Terror. Ever Muslim nutbar with no gripes will always have the Palestinian cause to hate us over until it is settled. Throw all the Holaucaust guilt and "the only democracy in the Middle East" arguments in the dump bin and understand that we have a national interest beyond and different from Israel's.
neverlate
This is not totally a knock on Obama, but the image we project is of an aging giant who refuses to admit that we don't have the chops anymore. The Obama administration needs to come up with a program that seriously addresses our debt issue, and find a way to jettison the liberal fantasy land health care entitlement they are currently pushing. Everything they do makes it looks like we are in a state of denial. Also, Gibbs must stop acting like Obama's speeches are ends in themselves. Everytime he gives a good speech they act like he cured world hunger. These speeches may give liberals tingles up their legs, but they have little effect on our adverseries and steely eyed allies.
whipmawhopma
Agreed about the debt load. Would add curb the neocon fantasy land quest to remake the world in America's image.
crypto
And they all said, " AMEN"!!!
zaxxon
Isreal? Easy, just issue a presidential order stonewalling funding and money transfers. Easy.
But really, he doesn't have to do it, just let them know he can do it.
guerrilladude
Seriously zaxxon - if we cut off the money spigot those settlements would stop lickety split. We can hmm and haw and wring our hands as much as we want, but money talks. And we'll never do it because then we'd be actually standing for SOMETHING besides the status quo.
highrpm
really? since when is israel dependent on the u.s.? or maybe we want them to do the dirty work when we vietnam on the mideast. but really, obama get a clue: who do you think the u.s. is other than a has been when you go touring the world mouthing off when you cannot get your own house in order?
mfkpadrefan
No, highrpm...you got it ass backwards. The Isrealis wanted us to "Vietnam" on the Mideast. For 50 years the deal was, we give you money and arms, and you kick Arab butt when necessary. But then the necon fantasy which began with Bill Kristol's dad (Irving, Commentary Magazine) in the 70's. We send troops in, not to protect our national interests (that means Oil) but theirs. The utopian dream that democracies don't go to war with each other...true recently, Netherlands hasn't attacked Belgium, we leave Canada alone...so a democratic Iraq will make nice with the Likud. Ridiculous, but it was our foreign policy for years...Thankyou Dick Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz!
SonofAsaph
I'm glad to see that Israel isn't paying head to B Hussein O. Go Israel.
sotrue
Very unpopular point of view, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,zaxxon's right. Make it clear that funding depends directly on the results of their contribution in the Middle East and see what happens.
guerrilladude
highrpm - uhh israel has been dependent on the US since it's founding in 1948. We've coddled and protected them from criticism the entire time, and doled out untold billions since then (and continue to do so). If that money, military support, and political cover was honestly at risk, there is no doubt the settlement building would cease.
Glenda1976
That picture is a total disgrace.
RogueBeast
Why? Because it looks the bad guys in an old Bruce Lee movie?
birmingham
No, because the POTUS is wearing a leather jacket - how "Chicago dress code"...
Monk66
Look at it this way Glenda,
In our culture, a bow is considered a show of dominance to whomever the bow is directed.
In Asian culture, a bow is considered a show of respect.
What if Obama outstretched his hand to the Japanese Emperor and he didn't shake his hand here in America.
The critics would have a field day.
Obama gave the equivalent of a handshake.
To make a big deal out of someone showing respect for another person is absolutely ignorant.
But what else would we expect from you..?
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splinter
Since you claim knowledge of Asian culture, you must know that there are different degrees bowing. The bow offered by president to emperor of Japan was of a supplicant to a superior.
Monk66
I'm sorry I didn't realize Obama was supposed to bring a protractor to measure his degree of bow to make sure he didnt go beyond his quota.
He didn't grovel at his feet. he bowed. If thats the biggest deal we can make about Obama's trip then it was a pretty solid trip.
innocentcitizen
obama bowed and shook hands at the same time. this very bad in japan.
he idiot w/sushi brain
aackc1
Monk... Maybe he should know the degree of measure in his bow... Or maybe his crack staff should have let him know. But, I guess that's what you get with a Preisdent that has zero foreign relations experience.
melissamsouza
The ignorance, rage and insanity on this post are quite appalling. I've been living abroad for quite some time now, but if these posts reflect a good chunk of the American population as it is today (and I sure hope they don't), no wonder this country is in decline. No wonder it is spilling over in all kinds of crises--economic, social, political, moral, educational, especially. These people have literally lost their minds; if they in any way think that Bush & Co. and the "Republicans" are the ones with the right ideas, then I'm afraid America will sink into the ditch and China will indeed get the last laugh. The level of public discourse, the sheer lack of manners and minimal respect for each other, and for a President who was handed the worst hand in this nation's history, is quite sad to watch from abroad, really. The world is looking at these Glendas and Diamond-Carbon girls and these Punks and saying to itself no wonder America is going off the rails. It seems that there are a good number of Americans, far too many, alas, that simply can not except America's relatively smaller, no-longer-the-Empire role in this new century, nor can they accept the new century itself-with all of the dramatic changes that it entails. Nor can they face that their country is in severe, multiple crises and in urgent need of dramatic changes in direction, which is what the President is trying to do. These people are in blind, enraged denial of everything and everyone, and if they get their way, they will sink their country, pure and simple. This kind of mentality--a refusal to see the new, a refusal to adapt, a stubborn clinging to the illusion of "Empire"--is what has indeed been responsible for the collapse of many Empires, from Ancient Rome to Great Britain. I am really shocked at the majority of these posts--it is a sad reflection of the multiple fractures this country is in at the moment. Others might just call it decadence, pure and simple.
clearthinker
keep telling yourself that dumb ass. You can show the emperor respect without breaking yourself in half like O did.
Monk66
Thank you connie for putting the truth out there.
melissamsouza
I really find the spin reporters give to things amusing. The fact of the matter is that the bulk of foreign policy negotiations, I would say 90% of them, are done behind the scenes and in secret. No one knows what was discussed and agreed to on this trip; true, the Chinese did not come out in favor of renewed sanctions against Iran, but then again that is not their style. The Chinese culture does not encourage the expression of one's thoughts and feelings in public, especially with regard to third parties. I am sure that if the Iranian situation reaches a critical point, and the Russians come on board with tough measures, the Chinese will follow suit. As for Israel, indeed this is a serious problem. I don't see anything the Administration can do at this point but to issue very harsh public rebukes, preferably alongside international critics as well. And it is time to start threatening Israel with something substantial; otherwise they will continue thumbing their noses indefinitely. Having said all this, Asian culture couldn't be more different than ours, and what we perceive as signs of "weakness" the Asians see as a sign of respect. I suspect that Obama's more subtle approach is going down considerably better than the bluster of former American presidents. This is a vastly new century, with vastly new power arrangements that require a new posture by world leaders. Asians are not a people for public adulation, but private appreciation.
diamondgirl
The Chinese will never come on board, they are laughing at us, with Iran. You are living in Obamaland where the gentle and whimpy way is supposed to work. How's that looking so far? He GOT NADA! But he did get to see the Great Wall, that had to be niceLOL
stjam8
I wish the right was less confused. They call our President hilter, stalin OR he's gentle and wimpy. So, which is it? He can't be both. America is certainly not "Obamaland". The amount of hosility directed at our President is disturbing. This is America, and Obama has been President less then a year. Our President came into office with problems of historic portions. We need act like Americans and show support for our President.
devadasi
We're laughing at you diamondgirl....for your repugnant ignorance. China is slowly but surely becoming the dominant power in the world....this has been developing for years.....and so what! No empire can last forever. You've got a lot of studying to do. You are the quintessential produce of the dumbing down of America. YOU GOT NADA!
newswoman
What makes you think you know what the Chinese think or will do about Iran? Such hubris, diamondgirl. You are another hater of the President and can hardly hide your contempt. Melissa is right about the people who post on this site. Neocons who can't take change or new ideas.
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melissamsouza
Thanks for understanding, Connie. Yes, it does seem that the Punk, the Carbon girl and Co. really have no understanding whatsoever of the world, neither do they know how to write (or think, for that matter). They seem to think that in less than a year in office a President is supposed to part the waters and raise the mountains. They also seem to think that the complete and absolute disasters of the Bush years are the way to go, and that Cowboy arrogance, bluster, lecturing and posturing can work in an increasingly multi-polar, complex world (it didn't my friends, I live overseas, and I can vouch that America had never been as ridiculed, detested and disrespected as under your cowboy Bravado W.). Maybe these hicks should take a hike around the globe and get a feel for the sea-change, the 180 degree turn in the perception and image of America under Obama. No one thinks he is a weak leader besides yourselves. Oh, and learn how to read and write English properly, and speak properly when you do decide to go on your trips. Let's not perpetuate the image of grass-chewing dunces created by W. and Co.
Monk66
They think that because most of the people on here trashing Obama believe that human beings actually did part waters and raise mountains.
Welcome to the Bible
gameon
To the previous four posts,you may have knowledge,but you lack intelligience.The job of the president is to represent our national interests,not pander to every nation that he lands in.Why are you so proud that people like kadafi and castro like him so much?I wonder what position change or concession did we make in order for these countries to change their opinion so rapidly? Endorsements from dictators and eurotrash are not a sign of a stronger America ,it's more likely a sign that we are caving in on some core principles in order to gain the favor of people who have zero concern for our nations interests.
This isn't high school,it's not a popularity contest,being liked is of little use if it requires us to act against our own interests.
As for Obama's presidency so far:we don't expect him to 'part the waters",but we do expect him to do something other than rob the treasury.What has he accomplished ? He can't even follow protocol when meeting foreign leaders,pretty basic stuff.Israel even gave up on him.That tells me alot about what they think of his negotiating skills.
ImNoPUNK
Melissamsouza...not for nothing but, "shut your pie hole lady"....cause you know not what you say. Respect is a 2 way street and must be earned, just ask your parents if you doubt what I say. I'm sure they remember how JFK was perceived by Kruschev............ World leaders are seeing Obama's naivete in much the same light. "If" POTUS is to gain the respect of kings and queens alike then he best do something other than attempting to placate them with apologetic speech given on foreign turf.
Like it or not, at this time I don't believe Israel will make any more concessions. Why should they? Every time they do they're paid back with more missiles being fired on their people. Obama uses the excuse of an unstable/corrupt government in Afghanistan for his indecision on our war policy, so how can he demand Bibi negotiate with the Mishagosh of Palestine. For you to say Barry should threaten the government in Tel Aviv with some thing substantial only proves how naive you are..... First, what does the Jewish state need that they don't already have, don't have the ability to get or don't have the funds ready to be sent them ??? Don't fool yourself any longer, you have to understand its America that now really needs Israel...Hell they're the only country with some semblance of sanity in the middle east. We need to work harder "with" Israel, or it won't be long before Netanyahu starts lifting up that middle finger of his and pointing it in the direction of Washington DC ...this time in public, not behind closed doors
Lastly, I think you must have just fallen off the banana cart if you believe the Chinese and the Russians are soon to get on board with Obama when it comes to Iran and the middle east. They love seeing us rip each other apart here at home...and spend our money in the desert.... I'm sure they figure the more we're involved over there the less we'll be focused on them.... Just remember, if it wasn't the USA trudging thru the Hindu Kush, who do you think would have to ???
Now after all that's been goings on ....try as I may, I can't think of ONE significant accomplishment our "head kahuna" has ever come back home with after being on the world stage....Can you ???
melissamsouza
Yes, you very much are a punk.
chengdulaoshi
I'm sure you've raised some prescient and compelling points *supra*, but I stopped reading after "shut your pie hole, lady."
Please forgive me for this. I mean no disrespect.
I am sure the remainder of your essay was well-reasoned and provocative, but alas, I will never know,
What has happened to common courtesy in the U.S.? Is TDB an accurate barometer of the quality of civil discourse in the States these days?
Is the American gentleman a relic of the past?
Has America gone completely insane?
stjam8
"shut your pie hole,lady", and the word respect in the very next sentence.
Desertpenguin
The white-power crowd are out in force today.
Well, they're out here every day, aren't they?
Doing the only thing they know how to do:
attackattackattackattackattackattackattackattack
ImNoPUNK
Hey chengdulaoshi, stjam8 & desertpenguin...
you 3 should scroll up and read all the threads from your girl friend before you jump on my back.... "melissamsouza" is nooo angel...... she sure as hell doesn't need any protection from you 3.... I'll go as far as to bet money she's accustom to being on the receiving end of a tongue lashing ,,, The way she spouts off, I'm sure she gets some perdy good beat downs from the locals in her hood too.... Tell em melissa, tell em how much you like it.
devadasi
Punk, Can you accept the fact that the U.S. is no longer the best and the brightest? Can you? No, because you're in a complete state of denial. No empire can last forever and the U.S. is wanning and it has nothing to do with Obama......but you can't handle the truth can you???
mfkpadrefan
I've read your stuff...it's pretty good...don't think th ecommentary on this page is any indication of how people here think...Obama is taking on a big plate of issues and people are split. but one respected poll has him at a 57% approval rating on international relations...the rest will work out...it's still the economy, jobs, putting food on the table, sending Jr. and baby girl to college. That decides how Obama and the democrats do...America is still neo-isolationist in its heart...scare the bad guys and take care of home...that's about it.
aackc1
Its 57% b/c all he is done is talk. Let's see what his approval rating will be when he actually takes action.
clearthinker
Melissa: Your judgemental attitude of people on this website is contradictory to the pointless sermon you just gave us. Most people on this website are AMERICANS who don't live abroad and don't have to kiss the ass of a foreign entity. While we do offer our respect to our allies and allied countries, we don't feel the need to become them. Shining an emporer's shoes with your tongue is not a sign of respect. Obviously, bowing is a traditional "hello" in Japan, but I have never seen a bow take on so much grandiosity. Apologizing to every foreign dignitary is not "respectful" to the people he serves or the men and women who have died for this country. IF this country were to fall, it will fall because of a leader who fails to recognize the importance of his own country moreso than the importance of himself.
stjam8
Nixon and Esinhower both bowed to foreign leaders. President Bush Kissed the King Of Saudi Arabia. You tube Brokeback Bush: The truth. It is sign of respect to follow the customs of the country you are in.
Georealist
What a nice little politically correct lecture..with..of course, just the right amount of Bush Bashing to make sure one's slight credentials aren't misidentified.
The Chinese weren't so polite that their Banking Administrator criticized the US for debasing it's currency the day before the Community Organizer arrived. I'm no Bush fan but I certainly don't remember him parading around Japan bowing and scraping to people..or going to China and lecturing them on the freedom of the Internet...
Our Leader can't make a timely decision about American lives in Afghanistan yet he finds it critical to pontificate on Chinese values....Israeli settlements...and the pre-trial guilt of the great Sheik mass murderer??! Just what would YOU suggest threatening Israel with? Why is it any of YOUR concern what things they build or don't build? The Palestinians could have peace any time they decide to stop murdering Isrealis..but then, that wouldn't fit into the thug as victim paradigm..would it?
OldCrow
There are ten articles about Palin in the Beast today (fetish perhaps..).
No articles about health care reform, the economy, or the $6 billion that can't be accounted for in the President's stimulus package.
RogueBeast
There's not much left to say about healthcare reform. They need to vote for that debacle so we can move on to the 2010 elections and see who in DC still has a job.
diamondgirl
We need to VOTE THE BUMS OUT, anyone who votes for it goes!
diamondgirl
OLD, you have a point but the Left doesn't give a shit anyway, Congress is going to pass another Bill that will kill jobs, raise taxes and premiums and the ONLY WAY to Change this is to VOTE THE BUMS OUT in 2010.
I can't tell you how giddy we are in NJ, Christie is slashing and stopping all things budget as we speak, and he doesn't get into office until January. That's what needs to be done with this White House, but they like our tax money too much to give that up.. Now does that make you feel better, we are no longer talking about Palin?
whipmawhopma
OldCrow - Remember when we use to be worried about flesh eating bacteria and killer bees?
newswoman
People are bored with the looong time the healthcare bill is taking. Congress looks baad with the way they delay making a decision, House and Senate. I think they are a 'horse and buggy' legislature and should be modernized somehow.
Sarah Palin is a distraction, that is all.
gameon
I think they drag things out in order to make us loose interest.Americans have a short attention span,we need tooooooooo.Sorry ,forgot what I was talking about.
BillSanford
Mr. Wolffe is quite the apologist for Obama.
For him to write an article that is not flattering about Obama, such as this one, indicates that things were drastically wrong on this trip.
I think I am beginning to see a trend with the liberal journalists that promoted Obama; they are positioning themselves more towards "the middle" about Obama, so that they can start to backpedal and perhaps even criticize Obama. Obviously, that way as Obama collapses they would not appear to be so foolish in hindsight.
Pretty self-serving, these MSM journalist.
aackc1
Bingo!
pamOBSP
Your comment was right on target, Mr. Wolffe was so in the tank for BO. I don't know who was worst, he or Keith Olberman, it was sickening when they appeared together. Two words, man crush!
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newswoman
What a hater your are, Maladapted. You sound like a Rep plant in these blogs.
Satori
Bill S., I think you've nailed it down. I, too, see frowns on the faces of the Team Obama media cheerleaders. The ship is listing only a few months out of port, and the rodents are running for the high rails. Could there be a more fitting analogy than the maiden voyage of a certain White Star liner, a disaster whose origins lay in the overconfidence of its designers and crew?
dbro0009
whoa satori! your comment read like something out that book, moby dick. yarrg captain ahab yarrg. please, you rodents were the same who yelled "four more years!" with pleas that we must give bush more time to complete his divine mission! You act like Obama is a failure before he even gets a chance to let his work come to fruition.
I guess we should give it back to the ideologue conservatives to take the legislature and executive back to narnia to fight for God's plan! you people are incompetent. you must understand that so that other people with reasoning and open mindedness can make progress and fixing all of the damage your heroes have done to this country
newswoman
You just don't get it, do you? The 'liberal' journalists still like Obama but their job is to tell it like it is and if that involves criticizing the President's stand on an issue, then, so be it. They don't 'rubberstamp' a president's position like Faux News did with Bush, because they are not an arm of the Dem party.
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smartwoman
Richard Wolffe never misses an opportunity to take a dig at Hillary----still sees her as candidate Clinton and hasn't forgiven her for what he thinks she did to Obama. Get over it Wolffe!!
neverlate
We are back to where we were when Bush senior threw up in the Japanese Prime Minister's lap. Bush junior made us hated around the world, now Obama is turning us into objects of pity.
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diamondgirl
The answer to all your questions except the second one are YES
I hope we can salvage the class of this country before he makes it colapse from the weight of the Deficit.
Monk66
no
whipmawhopma
squareyellowpaper - "Has he finally realized that he is just the president of a second-class country?"
We're still first-class but there are other first-class countries out there these days, all with their own problems - some of them quite severe. We're still a power to be reckoned with, but so are China, Brazil and India, and even Russia on a good day. The European Union could be, but they still have us to do the heavy lifting so they are putting off the cost of it.
If the United States gets its financial house in order, then we can rejoin the swaggering bastards of the world club once again as a member in 'good' standing. I remember not so long ago all the talk that Japan was overtaking the United States and we were in decline to this new great power. It turned out differently.
The British Empire was also said to be in decline relative to the United States, and this turned out to actually happen, but once the British Empire was finally gone then the United Kingdom emerged out of that cloud and I would argue that the average person in Great Britain is better off today than their parents and grandparents were during the time of empire.
squareyellowpaper - "Has this trip cost President Obama re-election?"
Not at all. It all has to do with economic recovery or lack thereof. The big sundae. Everything else is mostly sprinkles and health care is the cherry on top. Iraq and Afghanistan can be the nuts. By economic recovery I mean real jobs doing real work earning real money, and not the recovery of the good life for the exploiter class working on Wall Street and for the odious banking guilds.
devadasi
Good comment WHIP.....The U.S. is wanning and so be it. It's called acceptance, but many of the folks commenting here are in a state of denial.
gameon
Congratulations America! We've finally caught up to Japan!We too will have a lost generation saddled with enormous debt .Just as the Japanese did when they're economy took a dive in the nineties.We too have begun to spend recklessly in an attempt to thwart the totally deserved market correction.
Japan tried large stimulus packages based on "public works" and "green jobs",borrowing against their childrens future in an effort to avoid the pain of this generations mistakes.Sound familiar? It should,the U.S. is headed for a "Keynesian" economic disaster and it's your children who will give the final verdict.Hope you like the Japanese economy,because that's where will be in the next 10-20 years,where all tax revenue goes to pay interest on our debt.
Politicians come and go,but the debt remains.
Oh, and Devadasi your name is Indian for a "lower class of pre-pubescent sex-slaves" meant to service the upperclass.It seems pretty funny to me for you to be casting judgement on the U.S. when India still operates the caste system and is all around a poverty stricken hell-hole.Just my opinion.
Genni2002
....or we just gotten used to seeing our my way or the highway politicians act all ornery and obnoxious instead of polite and respectful.
Monk66
yes
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gameon
Why exactly are we showing this degree of "respect" to Japan?
HillaryFan
Yes, Wolffe and his buddies like Olbermann dissed Hillary throughout the general, and he continues to this day. The foreign policy being peddled is designed by the admin, not Hillary, you twit.
Your boy Obama is a total wreck. He never was qualified to be president, and one can get only so far on charm and a silver tongue. The Peter Principal has reached the presidency once again. Sharpen your journalistic knives, Richard, and report on the stimulus lies, the foreign policy naivete, the double dip recession he is now setting us up for (and the accompanying second stimulus AKA payoff to SEIU and others).
People who dared to question O were called raaaacist. Race has nothing to do with it. Maybe the fact that he never ran a lemonade stand does.
RogueBeast
The truth is Dr Utopia is being exposed for his lack of leadership skills. He thinks if he reads it from the teleprompter it is the word of the One and so it shall be done.
This Oval Office Zero has done nothing but demean America and its allies since the campaign. Everyone's already tired of it and he's still in his first year.
stjam8
Roast beef: It would a good idea to drop the teleprompter nonsense,since the previous President had the big words spelled phoneticlly on the teleprompter. Our President has worked with the republicans, for months on health care reform. The republicans have stalled bills 87 times. The unemployment benefits bill was stalled 5 weeks by the GOP before they all decided to sign it. Senator Coburn is currently blocking a bill that would support veterans and their care givers. So, where do you get this stuff," It is the word of the One and so it shall be done"? If you are tired, go take a nap.
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