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
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
6:03 pm
Some people never were old enough or wise enough to remember the history of this country as others do, to the times when many have often raised questions about and even against a President. In fact Teddy Roosevelt went so far as to imply that it was unpatriotic and treasonous to not speak against a President because of respect for the office when one felt it needful to do so against the holder of the office.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
6:05 pm
Sam: [Our President Bush] got his hat handed to him.
—————-
Oh? Seems to me our missile defenses were on track under our President Bush, and Obozo’s been busy caving and giving away everything he can. Not sure what it is we’re getting in return, though.
Obozo: Weak. Coward. Traitor.
Daniel
March 26th, 2012
6:06 pm
Hi Kyle, not sure if you’re still reading comments. Since you asked, “Suppose Obama were to be caught on a hot mic asking Netanyahu for “space” until his re-election so that he had more “flexibility” regarding Iran. How many of you would think he meant something Netanyahu would not like and which would be popular here in the U.S.?”
I would assume Obama was asking Netanyahu to hold off on military action against Iran. Having the U.S. (or an ally) engaged in another Middle Eastern conflict would be unpopular with Obama supporters, but it does seem likely that Israel will want action. I don’t see the connection between your hypothetical and the Russia quote though (it seems like you were fishing for a different response).
As for guessing at the president’s meaning (and Mr. Tapper’s explanation), I’d assume that with both Obama and Putin consumed with domestic affairs (Obama is in the middle of a re-election year; Russians are still rioting over the results of their election), they have not had time or space to work on missile defense or other issues. Even on internation affairs, Russia is a lower priority for Obama than Afghanistan, China, Israel, our Middle Eastern allies, or the economic problems in Europe.
All I take away is that after the election, both leaders will have more breathing room to work. It’s probably not worth reading too much more into it. In general, we haven’t had a strong Russia policy since Bush senior left office, and I don’t figure much will change twenty years later.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
6:11 pm
“i dont expect his readers to be smart enough to understand how governing works.”
And YOU should be smart enough to know that you don’t show your hand in negotiating – ever. And more flexibility doesn’t mean a secret deal, but rather a better one for the other side.
Nice try, Sam, but fail.
MarkV
March 26th, 2012
6:12 pm
Dusty @ 5:20 pm
Dusty,
Do not start today by being ridiculous. Not to mention irrational. Why don’t you start by explaining your following sentence?
“Now some of you need to go back and see that the president said “cave” and why he would wait to say it after the election.” Is that supposed to mean something?
And while you are it, explain how you know that Obama “would yield or submit to Putin now.. “
I do not owe Kyle any apology, and what you write is again irrational. I never wrote that Kyle did not have the right to say what he did. I also had the right to say what I did. As a blinded view of the President, I can say the same about you. And where did I demand unavailable facts? It was Kyle who demanded them.
Rafe Hollister
March 26th, 2012
6:19 pm
Big D
Remember how the lefties hooted and snicked when Reagan talked about developing a missile defense system. They branded it “Star Wars”. Well, we have it and now Oblamer is trying to give it away and they defend him, but can’t understand why Americans view the Democrat party as being soft and weak. Can’t never could with them.
Yet, they foolishly believe that in a few short years we are going to be driving around in algae fueled vehicles admiring all the solar panels and windmills that dot the landscape. Hah, now that is funny.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
6:21 pm
MarkV, when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
You’ve really become THE most useless blogger on the planet.
JKL2
March 26th, 2012
6:22 pm
obama: A Chicago crook run by other crooks.
Not to worry as the promise of bigger handouts will get him re-elected. What he says while campaigning (which is 24/7) doesn’t matter. Enough fools on here beleive the continous stream of BS that comes out of his mouth no matter how horendous it may be.
I have a dream that someday my children will be judged by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character.
InAtl
March 26th, 2012
6:30 pm
Wow, it’s obvious that Obama was telling the guy that he couldn’t do what he wanted to do without risking making the voters angry before the election. I guess that’s why so many of his supporters on this blog are upset. They hate it when his mask slips. Makes it too hard to defend him (which seems to be a full-time job).
Linda
March 26th, 2012
6:49 pm
Rafe@6:19, You are also funny …with our golden & bald eagles lying dead amongst them. The environmentalists are SOOOOOOO confused. That icky black oil from Canada is being hauled to Texas on train cars. How stupid can they be? They won the battle but lost the war. Buffet’s train, BTW.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
7:00 pm
Another deep statement by John, with absolutely NOTHING to back it up or to add to the conversation.
Linda
March 26th, 2012
7:11 pm
Obama basically “mooned” the American people & the libs are trying to convince us that it was not his behind.
Linda
March 26th, 2012
7:25 pm
Thanks to Obama, Libs need bibs.
Is there is pill for frothing?
Rafe Hollister
March 26th, 2012
7:36 pm
Pathetic comment by John commenting on pathetic article. That is pathetic John.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
8:02 pm
Daniel: Suppose Obama were to be caught on a hot mic asking Netanyahu for “space” until his re-election
——————–
Democrats tend to forget this, but Israel is our ALLY. Big difference. We work WITH Israel. When we work behind the scenes with our allies the intention is that it will strengthen us. When Obozo has to keep secrets from the American people when negotiating security issues with an adversary, it’s because he’s weakening us.
Obozo: Weak. Coward. Traitor.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
March 26th, 2012
8:36 pm
By the way, Bush would have probably gotten osama bin biden on day one of the Afghanistan conflict if Clinton hadn’t gutted the defense department.
Like obozo is fixing to do.
Jack
March 26th, 2012
8:43 pm
Somewhere above I read: It’s far from clear exactly what Obama means here. I read it twice and I still can’t believe that kind of immaturity exists.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
9:02 pm
Perhaps you should re-read the rules, John.
tiberius your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
9:32 pm
Perhaps you should stop whining john and actually post something to the topic rather than complaining about everything else but the topic.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
10:04 pm
Which rule, John? You might try copying a snippet of the supposedly offending posts along with the rule you believe has been violated.
Thanks for playing.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
10:11 pm
“Do you plan to continue your idiocy into and through President Obama’s second term or are you going to quit wasting your time on Kyle’s playground when he wins in November?”
John, you’re great at whining and cutting and pasting, but do you have any specific comment to make regarding my alleged “idiocy” or to the actual topic at hand, which you STILL haven’t posted anything about despite numerous attempts to get you to show some type of intellectualism.
Time for you to “man up” John.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
10:14 pm
John, at the risk of violating one of the rules, you’re boring the dickens out of us.
Either bring it or find something else to discuss.
ragnar danneskjold
March 26th, 2012
10:42 pm
Wow, I read the essay, posted my snarky comment and left. Looks like Kyle touched a raw nerve among our leftist friends. Ok, maybe he used a taser on a raw nerve, but the leftists here today look almost like they do everyday on Bookman’s blog. Well done, Kyle. We’ll have to remember to use that verb “cave” on a regular basis.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
10:48 pm
Way to step up and waste everybody’s time, John. Do you and MarkV share genes?
Liberals. Can’t take it when they’re called out for their shortcomings.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
10:50 pm
Hey, ragnar. Heard you were getting everybody over at Bookman’s all hot and bothered this afternoon.
Slumming?
ld
March 26th, 2012
11:08 pm
This interpretation sounds like the Dems assessment of the situation when Reagan supporters met w/Iranian officials in Europe while Carter was trying to get the 57 hostages free? As in deals made in smoke-filled back rooms between ambitious people of questionable character?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
11:11 pm
Id, you have engaged in a deflection, commonly used when one doesn’t have anything to defend the actual topic at hand.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
11:29 pm
John, you’ve been asked at least 3 times to comment on the topic at hand. Each and every time you have failed to do so except to insult our host and the people asking you to come up with anything meaningful that could be used to debate the issue.
Epic fail on your part.
the only thing that differentiates you from another liberal poster, MarkV, is that you are significantly less verbose. otherwise, you’re a waste of electrons over the wire, son.
Man up, or head over to Bookman’s where your kind are appreciated and loved for your stupidity.
Dusty
March 27th, 2012
12:10 am
MarkV 6:20
I would have replied sooner but I have been busy tonight.
Anyway, I think I made myself very clear. I believe President Obama was trying to get word to Putin that they could make agreements after he was sure he had won the next election. Since he used the world “cave” , it means that Putin could guess that he could get any results he wanted.
Who else could Obama”cave” to? He was sending a message to Putin.
It is my conclusion that President Obama did not want to speak publicly because he thought it would influence his re-election badly.
I know you disagree because you want all of us to think highly of President Obama. I do not think he is an above average president. As a person, I think he is a fine “family man”. But the leadership of our country has not ben stellar under his direction. I will not vote for him because I think we need a change.
———-
Glad to hear about your bluebirds. That’s exciting! I saw a cardinal today and heard a lot of singing so there are birds around. I was getting worried.
.
Tony
March 27th, 2012
1:02 am
Arrogance…again,he has already reelected himself
This is a man who will implent anything he wants if elected..he will feel no contraints and his socialist/marxist inner desires will be forefront. He has already shown that he does not need congress..so much for the constitution and a the three branches of government. constitution?meaningless, and any argument to negate the constitution is ok with him
marko
March 27th, 2012
5:59 am
Evidentially flexibility means cave to the rigidly inflexible. I can hardly wait to see what you guys are wildly indignant about tomorrow. It’s never boring when your mission in life’s finding new stuff to be outraged about. If Obama tells you to have a nice day, you’re pissed because you don’t like being told what kind of day to have. Boy is life tough.
Misty Fyed
March 27th, 2012
8:03 am
John and Marco.
Your inability to identify the gravity of this issue is unfortunate but typical of liberals. Liberals are totally unable to comprehend the true underlying issues of ridiculous policies or statements made by this embarrassment of a president.
I wonder if you would have been so forgiving of GW Bush had he admitted to saying something only to get reelected while fully intending to do something different once elected.
gm
March 27th, 2012
8:21 am
Anybody who has killed 5 of the top terrorist around the world, and who has kept American safe for the last 3 years has a right to say anything.
This country went from being scared to board airplanes , code alerts to no fear thanks to President Obama so for any right wing nut jobs to question this President judgement shows what a bunch anti Americans we have in this country.
George Walton
March 27th, 2012
8:29 am
Any sort of missile shield would only protect the politicians anyhoo.
I hear tell that in Russia and Iran, one may freely ride around in a car…….brace yourself……without seatbelts.
Who is protecting who..against what?
.
This “issue” is as stupid as the Trayvor “issue” , as TPTB merrily go about planning/destroying our economy.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 27th, 2012
8:29 am
“Anybody who has killed 5 of the top terrorist around the world”
Really? And what gun did he use to accomplish this?
Don’t confuse policy with performance, gm.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 27th, 2012
8:35 am
I see John is still on the Whine Train this morning, and still refusing to actually post something about the topic at hand.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 27th, 2012
9:03 am
When a moderate like Olympia Snowe gives you an “F”, you know you’ve failed.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/frustrated-senator-olympia-snowe-gives-obama-f-101657433.html
Kinda puts to lie the whole “willingness to compromise” mantra by the current Disaster-in-Chief and his left-wing loonies who constantly claim that, when he and the most moderate Republican in the Senate haven’t spoken in over 2 years, doesn’t it?
When are those on the left going to see this guy as the unmitigated failure of a President he truly is?
gm
March 27th, 2012
9:12 am
Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
I guess all the great President of the past pointed a gun and stop all the past wars,.
This shows you people have so much hate for this great President it has made you stupid””
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 27th, 2012
9:20 am
Hate, gm? No. I hate no one.
Loathing. Disdain. Embarrassment at growing up in a once great country that could produce such a useless and laughable “leader”.
All those things, gm, but never hate. Your simple mind cannot understand the subtlety of the emotions and thoughts of an intelligent man.
MarkV
March 27th, 2012
9:31 am
Dusty @12:10 am
Dusty,
One more thing about yesterday’s subject (if my previous comment today will show, so far it has not.) If Kyle talks about his explanation of what Obama meant by “flexibility,” why doesn’t he tell us also his explanation of Obama’s motive when planning to “cave in?” Is Obama perhaps a secret Russian as well as Muslim and Kenyan? Wants to run for Russian presidency after his retirement? Or just buy himself a dacha near Moscow?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 27th, 2012
9:35 am
Poor MarkV!
Kyle has left him wanting for more . . .
Again.
Of course, this gives MarkV the perfect excuse for not having to comment on the topic, as he can claim that all the T’s aren’t crossed and all the I’s aren’t dotted so that he can continue to avoid the tough answers until they are.
No Artificial Flavors
March 27th, 2012
9:46 am
Russian leaders, especially like Putin, only respect tough stances and strong one-on-one talk behind closed doors. They are more likely to comply to a US leader with a backbone that also sternly demonstrates mutual interests. See Ronnie and Mikail for some history. Also, just talk to any old school Russian. You would think the President’s advisors would have some clue of this if it weren’t for their radical agenda of weakness impeding.
Gator Joe
March 27th, 2012
10:03 am
Kyle:
I didn’t realize among your talents, was the ability to read minds, in this case the President’s. Before reading his mind how about showing him the basic respect he deserves as President and an American, and which you and the rest of your Right Wing, bigoted, insecure cohorts have never shown.
MarkV
March 27th, 2012
10:16 am
Kyle,
Why are you holding my first post to Dusty this morning? There were no four-letter words, no name calling, nothing against your rules. What are you afraid of?
Big D
March 27th, 2012
10:17 am
One does not have to be a mind reader to know this president operates in total secrecy. His actions don’t match his words. His “unaffordale healthcare destruction’ program was sneaked through in the middle of the night out of sight hidden from scrutney. It is well know he already tried to make verbal agreements with Russia regarding missiles which we wouldn’t know about had Russia not told us. This is a man who claims credit for increased oil production which he doesn’t control because it is on private land while stopping oil production on public land. Now he wants to hide his true intentions regarding our national defense from us? He wants it to be secret because he knows the majority would disapprove. The most “transparent administration” is in reality the most secretive. What does he say when the mike is not on? Scary. It is clear this president and his sychopahntic followers do not believe in the meaning of Republic. This is a wannabe dictator fololwed by his lemmings.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 27th, 2012
10:22 am
Gator Joe, respect is EARNED, not automatically given just because someone has convinced a majority of voters he’s not as incompetent as he really is.
Too much respect is given to politicians of all stripes; people who you wouldn’t normally invite into your home for a dinner are suddenly exalted just because they win an election by playing to the base-level wants of a greedy society.
Dusty
March 27th, 2012
10:26 am
MarkV
I’m afraid you have gone to rediculous ideas here because the reality of this encounter is not to your liking.
Obama indicated ,in what he thought was a private conversation, that he would be more flexible in his decisions with Putin after he was into his second term. Quite obviously, he did not wish to be seen by Americans as complying with anything that Putin would want. NOt before the upcoming election.! Obama knows that Americans do not trust the over powering Putin . He does not wish to be seen as a “buddy in compliance” with Putin. Not about European defense or Iran.& Syria.
It was not a straightforward statement from Obama but one showing his independence from American opinion. In other words, he is acting more like a ruler than a president.
I hope you can see the clay feet of your idol. He is neither perfect nor terribly successful. To extend his power into another term is a very scary thought as he loads our country with more debt and unpopular policies. Based on the history of his first term, I will not vote for him. I care too much about this country to vote for poor leadership.
ragnar danneskjold
March 27th, 2012
10:35 am
Dear Tiberius @ 10:50 last night, guilty as charged. You might call me the Trayvon Martin of the blogosphere.
ragnar danneskjold
March 27th, 2012
10:39 am
Dear Dusty @ 10:25, you are too soft on friend MarkV. There is nothing this president would do that would affect the attitude of the cultists, but what Obama proposes has no less sinister effect than the actions of the Rosenbergs. He believes he is above the law, and can do as he wishes – sort of an American Putin. The coward is unwilling to be honest with Americans about his intentions, and it is only as a “thief in the night” that he can accomplish his agenda. Not only the worst president in American, but perhaps the most traitorous leader of a country in history. Unworthy.
@@
March 27th, 2012
10:50 am
Obama said that he would have “more flexibility” to deal with controversial issues such as missile defense
Gonna bend over backwards for Putin, eh?