Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Opinion

Was Obama's Trip to Europe, Turkey, and Iraq a Success?

Posted April 8, 2009

Reader Comments

obama is a talented presedant to solve the iraq war problem so fastly

the iraq war is the big problem that we should give a solition imidatly.

Presidents Trip

This sort of trip is important for an incoming

president. However coming close to denigrating previous administrations and apologizing for this countries successes is not the way to go. I would much rather see an attempt at elevating our allies economically, rather than lowering our standards. This country has the highest standard of living in the world for a reason. Our system is based on freedom and rewards individual thought and innovation which betters all of us.

Who has been acerbic to whom?

I have to wonder at the criticism toward Obama for distancing himself whenever possible from the last administration; especially considering the fact that Dick Cheney has missed no opportunity to run down his presidency, to paint him as weak on national security and nearly a traitor to his country. I have to give George Bush a lot of credit for not chiming in. It is just too bad he was swayed for all those years by the Cheney vision of America.

As to the European trip, I thought he did beautifully and fulfilled the hopes of many Americans. It takes a real man to stand up and say "we are not always right". In light of the nearly universal disapproval in which we have been held in recent years, even by our friends, I would say it is one of those moments. That is not "playing to anti-Americanism", it is an attempt to begin to turn it around. We cannot go it alone in the world anymore. We need friends, allies and the good will of other countries. Obama engenders good will among people of good will. It is his greatest strength

Have you ever seen an administration be so publucally acerbic towards a previuos administration

Have you ever seen an administration be so publically acerbic towards a previous administration?

Just tearing down your predecessor to appear stronger seems like a strategy that is not sustainable.

Obama's Trip to Europe, Turkey, and Iraq

I thought his trip was very positive and will help foster a more cooperative relationship with our allies. He cleared the air and has positioned us to move forward.

I am very supportive and encouraged by our new president. The issues we face are difficult and very complex, looking at the first months of his presidency he has taken significant action and is developing plans that address many of these issues. I very much want him to succeed because his success will be our success.

Depends on Point of View

I suspect those in Europe and around the world who enjoy finding fault with the United States found it to be very successful - he confirmed their beliefs. Personally I was disappointed, though I disagree with many of his policies I always felt he wanted to take the high road; he failed to do so in playing to anti-Americanism and blaming his predecessor.

Obama's Trip to Europe, Turkey, and Iraq

I feel the president is still in election campaign mode. He seem to be a great speaker, however is light weight as an administrator, and has difficulty speaking "off the cuff". His trip didn't make me feel comfortable that he knows what he is doing.

Obama's Trip to Europe, Turkey, and Iraq

As a speech maker, Obama is great. As an administrator I feel the president a light weight. So far all he has done is continue what he was doing during his campaign...travel around make appearances and make speeches. I am not seeing anything substantive.

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