Seeing The Asia Trip In A New Light

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_11/021182.php

SEEING THE ASIA TRIP IN A NEW LIGHT.... During and after President Obama's week-long trip to Asia, major U.S. media outlets were dismissive and derisive about the effort. Political reporters insisted the administration hadn't actually gained anything, and by coming home empty-handed, the president had wasted his time.

White House officials have been frustrated by the media's spin, insisting that the trip would pay dividends. The Atlantic's James Fallows has been a leading critic of American outlets' coverage of the diplomatic efforts.

Yesterday, Fallows followed up, noting more "evidence of failure" in the wake of the president's excursion.

Today in the NYT: "China Joins U.S. in Pledge of Hard Targets on Emissions"

Today in the Washington Post: "China's backing on Iran followed dire predictions; Before Obama's visit, NSC warned leaders of Mideast turmoil"

Today in the (state run) China Daily: "Mainland may pull some missiles.... Beijing might consider removing a portion of its missile arsenal in South China, a long-held precondition by Taiwan for peaceful cross-Straits ties, a mainland expert said Wednesday."

Today also in the China Daily: "DPRK top leader meets visiting Chinese defense minister"

Along with the failure indicated yesterday, also in the China Daily: "RMB rate fine-tuning is possible"

If we're lucky, the Obama administration will have plenty more "failures" like these in the coming years.

—Steve Benen

Fallows' article here:

http://jamesfallows.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/11/thanksgiving_special_more_evidence.php

[lillypaddle]

1. Obama has an eye for the long term

no instant gratification, for those who must have it NOW. Personally, I think this is one of the great things about our President. Note the thread on lobbyists getting the boot.

I'm willing to give him some time. He has had one full, muther-fuckin' plate!

[glitch]

2. This effort I completely endorse. K & R nt

[movonne]

3. What the corporate media is doing is pulling down this country to make our

President look bad...they have never been fair with any dem...

[Froward69]

4. We have an "unseen" President

a "ghost" if you will.

No one notices a thing until the table settings are rearranged!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[impik]

5. Obama is so far ahead of everyone, from the MSM to DU

it's going to be hilarious to see how he'll play everyone to be real fools over the next three years.

[Cha]

11. President Obama just does his thing

while the others rage around him like a sinister merry-go-around.

[rockymountaindem]

6. All good news n/t

[FrenchieCat]

7. Giving credit when credit is due to this President,

is not part of the game plan.

As he "changes" things, folks will be too busy gazing at their navel
to realize that change has come till the man has been trashed
up and down the street cause he didn't do all as soon as was demanded.

How does one govern a nation full of "I've got my eyes closed, but if I can't clearly see it now, it didn't happen" folks only willing to imagine the worse and nothing more?

Guess having patience and allowing it all to play out is how.

Thank goodness this President isn't watching the polls and acting upon them....
because as we all know, the public is a fickle one,
and will allow the media to shape and change their opinion
from one day to the next.

[jkshaw]

8. Thank you for this information, sister!

[jwirr]

9. That is good. Thanks.

[Cha]

10. More good news for the Obama

Cheerleaders! Rah RAh RAh, Planet!!:bounce:

Some of us knew this was more than about tea and respect.

[Clio the Leo]

12. And who knows how much influence he had in this decision....

"Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the December climate conference in Copenhagen prepared to pledge significant cuts in emissions,"
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1109/china_plays_ball_718e0853-aea0-4e14-84bb-c5969cc6ee24.html

[ClarkUSA]

13. President Obama is the best foreign diplomat we have. World leaders want to work with him.

BTW, Fallows lives in China. I've liked his erudite blog for The Atlantic since last year.

[KakistocracyHater]

14. his WH staff knows better, they KNOW the media must be forced to say

the truth, they sure as hell didn't during Bush's Disastrous Years, they won't now unless many people go on all the channels & say the good he's done. It is a stress-reliever to even read this here, it'd be magnified to hear it on all the tv news.