Obama to Russian leader: I’ll cave after I’m re-elected
Just a reminder, to those ambivalent about President Obama’s track record in his first term, of the kinds of things that could await us once he no longer has to run for re-election. From ABC News’ Jake Tapper:
At the tail end of his 90 minute meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev Monday, President Obama said that he would have “more flexibility” to deal with controversial issues such as missile defense, but incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to give him “space.”
The exchange was picked up by microphones as reporters were let into the room for remarks by the two leaders.
The exchange:
President Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him to give me space.
President Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you …
President Obama: This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.
President Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.
Medvedev got his gist the first time, but Obama went ahead and made it quite explicit that he would cave to Putin once he’s safely ensconced in his second term. A couple of administration officials could only give half-hearted defenses of the president’s words to Tapper — after all, how do you defend Obama here?
The vaunted “reset” with Russia, botched even in its symbolism from the beginning, has been an utter failure. Moscow has been no help regarding Iran or Syria, its bullying domination of its “near abroad” has continued unabated, and all we have to show for it is less of a commitment on our part to erecting a missile defense that never had anything to do with curtailing Russia; Putin’s protests to the contrary were laughable to anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of the kinds of missiles in question.
And now, we get a preview of the further backtracking — er, resetting — toward the untrustworthy Putin we can expect in a second Obama term. One has to wonder which other world leaders have received such requests for “space,” and to what ends.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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333 comments Add your comment
Allison
March 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
All incumbents running for office try to push through popular legislation before an election while postponing unpopular legislation until after the election. In politics, just as in life, timing is everything. You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em… That’s why he’s president and you all are not.
And as others have said, just because a policy is unpopular doesn’t mean it’s not in the best interest of the country.
MarkV
March 26th, 2012
2:36 pm
Kyle Wingfield @2:19 pm: MarkV: You keep accusing me of trying to “take it back.”
Kyle,
Prove what you just have written, or admit writing untruths. You are a journalist. You should be able to understand written words.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
2:39 pm
“So tell us how President Obama will “cave in,” what is he going to give up, and your evidence for it.”
So tell us, MarkV, which Presidential Daily Briefings you attended during the Bush administration that caused you to determine that he “lied” about WMD’s in Iraq, and your evidence for that “lie”.
You see, MarkV, Kyle is an opinion writer, and you are a blogger of some disrepute. Neither of you have access to the information YOU are demanding of Kyle, yet you want him to tell you what is in the so-called “mind of the current Disaster-in-Chief as to specifics. Ain’t gonna happen. Kyle has formed a (rather informed) opinion regarding the President’s own words, and seeing no alternative, has shared that opinion with us and told us why he believes his opinion to be valid.
You, on the other hand (as is typical for you), have failed to provide an alternative argument to Kyle’s.
I suggest you try at some point.
Kyle Wingfield
March 26th, 2012
2:42 pm
CJ: Post your explanation, instead of an insult, and I’ll approve the comment.
timbo
March 26th, 2012
2:44 pm
The utter disdain that Obama has for this country is disgusting. He is caught on an open mic telling the Russians he will give in to them AFTER THE ELECTIONS, and the libs are here trying to spin it. Unbelievable!!!
Junior Samples
March 26th, 2012
2:50 pm
Yup, and eliminating tax breaks and shelters once enjoyed by the “higher earners” (are we still using that catch-phrase?). Net result, taxes rose.
timbo
March 26th, 2012
2:51 pm
And to change subjects, but to prove my point of the total failure of this presidency, where is Obama after the New Black Panthers Party issued a $10,000 bounty for the man who killed Trayvon Martin? I thought he was going to change the tone and civility, and bring the country together?
Jefferson
March 26th, 2012
2:52 pm
When say he wins back congress he will have more flexibilty to make policy that won’t be stopped in the congress on procedural votes. Just one explanation.
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
March 26th, 2012
2:54 pm
“President Obama: This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.”
sounds like politics to me. But the Conservatives are desperate for something…..give em this to gnaw on for a few weeks.
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
March 26th, 2012
2:56 pm
The utter disdain
hehehe. In other words:
“Does anyone have a fainting couch I can borrow? Oh my!”
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
2:59 pm
“When say he wins back congress he will have more flexibilty to make policy that won’t be stopped in the congress on procedural votes. Just one explanation.”
Your failed Civics in school, didn’t you, Jefferson?
Congress doesn’t approve treaties or foreign policy initiatives. That is the purview of the Senate or the Executive Branch alone, depending on the type of agreement.
Kyle Wingfield
March 26th, 2012
2:59 pm
Jefferson @ 2:52: That’s the first even half-baked alternative offered today, congratulations. But only half-baked. After all: Why would he make such a point in reference to his “last election” rather than, say, “if we win back Congress this November, I’ll have more flexibility”?
See, it’s the combination of “my last election” and “flexibility” that makes me skeptical. It’s not as if I’m the first person to suggest a second-term president will pursue policies he didn’t want to defend publicly. I see no reason to believe this combination works in our interests in this case.
Jefferson
March 26th, 2012
3:00 pm
Policies cost money, knowitall.
Junior Samples
March 26th, 2012
3:00 pm
Ok, here’s an alternative to your explanation. What if he’s flat out lying to Medvedev to buy time? Simply doesn’t want to deal with it right now. “More flexibility” could mean “you guys are so low on my priority list right now because you’re not an immediate threat”.
Jefferson
March 26th, 2012
3:01 pm
It was half baked because I felt yours was. Mean spireted is all I heard.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
3:05 pm
“Policies cost money, knowitall.”
And that hasn’t stopped him from spending that which he doesn’t have, knowitall.
In case you missed it, it’s been over 3 years since any budget has passed the Senate, Jefferson. Has it stopped any spending, bright guy?
Didn’t think so.
Geo
March 26th, 2012
3:06 pm
Damn straight Jefferson!! His policies do cost money!
My money!
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
3:08 pm
Junior Samples @ 3:00.
Better. Says something about the (lack of) character of this President, but better. Yet, why did he use his election as an excuse? It’s not as if he isn’t an accomplished liar and couldn’t come up with something more plausible, right?
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
March 26th, 2012
3:19 pm
“my last election”
“Let me concentrate on getting this right. I can’t do anything if I’m on the lecture tour.”
??????
Dearie
March 26th, 2012
3:21 pm
Great column Kyle.
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
March 26th, 2012
3:22 pm
I agree with Junior. He was BS’ing the Medvedev to get him off his back.
Cutty
March 26th, 2012
3:23 pm
Judging from Kyle’s many responses to those being critical of his petulant comments, he’s obviously sensitive. Obama has been a better Commander-In-Chief than Bush ever dreamed of being. Using the word cave is Kyle’s way of drumming up views for his ‘blog’.
bin Laden was killed and the Iraq war ended on Obama’s watch. ‘Nuff said.
Joe The Plumber Too
March 26th, 2012
3:25 pm
Wow, the libs are more upset over this blog than I’ve ever seen them. A couple of these little fellows are about to stroke out. I guess the truth is starting to get through those thick little heads of theirs, and what they are seeing is making them sick. obama is just a pretender in chief, a little boy sitting at a big mans desk. He could care less about the strength of this country, only in bringing it down. The majority of voters have seen through this frightened little man and a change will be made in November. obama is a four and out failure, maybe he can go out to Plains, Ga. and hang with jimmy carter and compare failed administrations.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
3:26 pm
“bin Laden was killed and the Iraq war ended on Obama’s watch.”
Both initiatives begun by Bush; so he gets props for not screwing up Bush’s policies. But if the current Disaster-in-Chief is so damned good, why can’t he get this done until after the election, Cutty?
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
March 26th, 2012
3:27 pm
Not much of a scandal, by the way.
Oh how we pine for the weekly scandals of the Bush administration. “Quick Dick, notch up that threat alert color, we gotta cover our asses again.!”
Finn McCool (Class Warfare = Stopping Rich People from TAKING MORE of OUR MONEY)
March 26th, 2012
3:30 pm
Both initiatives begun by Bush; so he gets props for not screwing up Bush’s policies.
1. Wall Street bailout.
2. Greatest economic downturn and threat since the great depression.
Ummmm, But, but, but, but…Obama..
LOL
This Is A Solution Looking For A Problem (Flexibility vs Cave) Huh?
March 26th, 2012
3:31 pm
@Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
2:09 pm
“Keep looking MAYBE JUST MAYBE you can find a PROBLEM that most of you would like to find.
SO FAR, I don’t see one.”
Color me shocked!
**************************************************************
Color me NOT SHOCKED that you are shocked.
Are you shocked that I am not shocked that you are shocked?
Bradley
March 26th, 2012
3:32 pm
Will the “new balanced” AJC cover Obama’s secret promise to Putin? Any bets?
Samantha
March 26th, 2012
3:36 pm
Bush did indeed begin the wall Street bailout. And the Bush TARP program was in fact profitable. Obama hijacked TARP to other purposes and lost his ( really ours, of course) rear end.
Obama did indeed inherit a very difficult economic situation from Bush. Obama set out to make a temporary problem permanent.
If you are going to espouse a massively larger federal role in the society, you must also offer basic competence. Obama has tried to offer the former without the later.
This Is A Solution Looking For A Problem (Flexibility vs Cave) Huh?
March 26th, 2012
3:43 pm
@Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
3:26 pm
“bin Laden was killed and the Iraq war ended on Obama’s watch.”
Both initiatives begun by Bush; so he gets props for not screwing up Bush’s policies. But if the current Disaster-in-Chief is so damned good, why can’t he get this done until after the election, Cutty?
**************************************************************************************************
“MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” ????????????????????????????
heeheeheeheeheeheehee
May 1, 2011 Today marks the eighth anniversary of Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech about the Iraq War, when American casualties stood at 139 killed and 542 wounded. Eight years, over 4,000 U.S. fatalities, and hundreds of thousands Iraqi fatalities later, the war carries on.
In 2008, U.S. President George W. Bush said he REGRETTED some of his more blunt statements on his so-called war on terrorism wished he had not spoken in front of a “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” banner only a month after U.S. troops in Iraq were deployed, according to CNN.
But George W. Bush was not alone. Greg Mitchell explains how many major media outlets unquestioningly accepted the announcement that the Iraq war was over, and the U.S. had won.
Cutty
March 26th, 2012
3:45 pm
Tibs- Bush may have started out looking for bin Laden, but he sure wasn’t a priority by the end of his administration. Bush’s own words. With us being in Iraq and the economy collapsing and all. 9/11 happened on Bush’s watch and he had the gall to strut like a peacock in a flight suit on an aircraft carrier saying mission accomplished. If any of you repubs have a problem w Obama just take a minute and recall the Bush debacle. Kyle voted for Newt so his credibility is nonexistent. The rest if you voted for Bush twice and are in the same boat as Kyle.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
3:47 pm
Finn @ 3:30.
Once again you deflect rather than stay on the topic at hand. Typical for those without an argument against.
And your first point might be valid if Obama hadn’t also agreed to it and in fact voted for it.
Your second point is once again without any factual basis. Presiding over a decline doesn’t automatically mean you caused it. It may mean you didn’t do enough to prevent it, or that Congress failed to act as well.
This Is A Solution Looking For A Problem (Flexibility vs Cave) Huh?
March 26th, 2012
3:47 pm
@Joe The Plumber Too
March 26th, 2012
3:25 pm
obama is just a pretender in chief, a little boy sitting at a big mans desk.
**********************************************************************************************
The ONLY thing LITTLE on Obama is his little finger.
WHAT’S Little about you? .
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Is that why you hate Obama because he is BIGGER than you?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
3:53 pm
Solution, at SOME point in your lifetime you’re going to learn three things:
1. Stay on topic and don’t deflect. This weakens any post you make, and you don’t need any help in weakening your posts.
2. Realize that I do not apologize for Bush or his many mistakes.
3. Understand the reality, rather than the partisan nature of things. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” was given to the sailors and Marines on that ship due to their specific accomplishments during the invasion and ground war efforts to subdue the Iraqi army, and not for the entirely of the prolonged Iraq invasion. As such, he was correct in congratulating them on a mission accomplished.
Geo
March 26th, 2012
3:55 pm
Solution goes on the urological attack?
The conversation at hand has to do with Obama not having a spine.
DUH…
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
4:02 pm
@Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
1:51 pm
Good topic today, Kyle. The libs on here are absolutely apoplectic!
**************************************************************************************************
IT AIN’T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
I got some swamp land I want to sell ya…….REAL CHEAP.
Joe The Plumber Too
March 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
solution, sadly, obama got the parts your interested in from his white half…..lol
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
@Geo
March 26th, 2012
3:55 pm
Solution goes on the urological attack?
The conversation at hand has to do with Obama not having a spine.
DUH…
********************************************************
The conversation at hand has to do with if Obama could walk on water most of you would say
HE COULD NOT SWIM.
Kyle Wingfield
March 26th, 2012
4:14 pm
Fine, CJ, have it your way.
Btw: The people you complain about don’t have a habit of misrepresenting my words, then using the distortion as a club against me. Your habit is why you’ve been in moderation for some time now. When I gave you a de facto second chance by approving your comments, you slipped back into that habit and even admitted to doing so — albeit with the bad excuse of attempting sarcasm. I don’t have time to go around correcting statements I’ve already made, which is why I don’t have time for you.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
4:17 pm
Excuse my intrusion into a personal fray Kyle but many in this country, including yours truly, find obumer’s gutless world wide apology tour for America not only an ENDANGERMENT to the nation but a disgraceful unforgivable INSULT to the country and to each of us as well.
Now I hope you don’t walk any of your comments back to meet MarxV or CJ’s ridiculous demands Kyle, because I darn sure shall not take one letter, of one word, I’ve written in a retraction.
I have absolutely NO RESPECT WHATSOEVER FOR THE MARXIST JERK NOW SEATED IN OUR OVAL OFFICE!
Let all his fellow Marxist supporters fume.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
March 26th, 2012
4:18 pm
Yeah, I’ll bet Putin was asking obozo to carpet bomb Moscow, uh-huh.
Jefferson
March 26th, 2012
4:29 pm
Sissy, you are doing the fuming, and good chance you will for another 4.74 years. Your way ain’t working, Jack.
carlosgvv
March 26th, 2012
4:30 pm
Kyle – 1:48
You have provided one interpretation of Obama’s remarks. Since this brief exchange between Obama and Medvedev is so nebulous, your drawing such a hard and fast conclusion suggests you simply are reading into these brief remarks what you want to believe. I really can’t tell exactly what he meant by these remarks. And, neither can you, with any certainty.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
4:30 pm
Panty waist
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
4:31 pm
@Joe The Plumber Too
March 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
solution, sadly, obama got the parts your interested in from his white half…..lol
*************************************************************************
Sadly, IT AIN’T A LIE IF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
Mudfoot
March 26th, 2012
4:32 pm
This… coming from folk who are about to nominate the “etch a sketch” king as their presidential candidate… is… ironic to say the least
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
4:32 pm
“You have provided one interpretation of Obama’s remarks.”
And thus far, the ONLY plausible one.
carlosgvv
March 26th, 2012
4:34 pm
Tiberius – 1:43
Going into hysterics over Obama’s vague remarks only proves you have little or no skills in reading comprehension. Obama really doesn’t hate America and will not committ treason and sell us out to the Russians. Now, go lie down and take a nap, son.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
4:35 pm
Strike one!
The Marxist didn’t win their 1867 tax argument on obumercare Kyle.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
4:37 pm
@Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
4:17 pm
.
I have absolutely NO RESPECT WHATSOEVER FOR THE MARXIST JERK NOW SEATED IN OUR OVAL OFFICE!
Let all his fellow Marxist supporters fume.
************************************************************************************
FUME? We’re laughing at all of you HATERS.
heeheheheheheehehehehehheheeheeheehee
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
He is still the PRESIDENT of the United States.
What all of you say IS not worth a hill of beans. BURP!
GET OVER IT.