July 27, 2008
Obama’s Grand Tour
What ever happened to the old dictum that American politics stop at the ocean’s edge?
Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) -- assumed Democrat candidate for the U.S. presidency – dragged us kicking and screaming into one-world politics by a “fact finding” tour of Afghanistan, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England last week.
His first stop in the Middle East was to join an official, previously planned, helicopter tour of Afghanistan with other Congressmen.
Then, the American delegation took off to talk with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Nouri al-Maliki
A few days earlier, Maliki had endorsed Obama’s promise to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.
Maliki said he did not discuss troop withdrawals with Obama because “he is a candidate, and we are talking to the administration which is in power.”
JUST THE FACTS, PLEASE
Ehud Olmert
Thereafter, Obama and his planeload of reporters took off to corner Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan King Abdullah.
That part of Obama’s presidential campaign abroad – was somewhat frosty.
Abbas Mahmoud
Sometime ago, Obama stated he would meet Iranian leaders – without pre-conditions -- to discuss the latter’s enrichment of uranium for a nuclear bomb.
King Abdullah II
However, Iran has often declared, “ Israel should be wiped off the map.”
Obama concluded his Israeli tour with a visit to the Western Wall to tuck a prayer-note for peace into a niche between blocks. Bystanders mostly ignored him.
REACTION PAST AND PRESENT
Obama’s reception in Germany was akin to that of a “rock star.” His aides distributed leaflets to build a crowd. An estimated 200,000 people gathered in Tiergarten Park to hear him.
People in front were young people waving same-size American flags on sticks. Obama’s advance team said, “Yes, we did help get things started.”
Obama wowed the audience when he called all nations to “renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.”
Ich Bin ein Berliner
A true German "Berliner" superimposed.
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This is 45 years since U.S. President John F. Kennedy declared in Berlin -- walled off and besieged by the Soviet Union: “Ich bin ein (I am a) Berliner!”
And 21 years since President Ronald Regan in Berlin demanded of the Soviet leader: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down these walls!”
Russia took down the walls – with enthusiastic help of Berliners -- in 1989.
GERMANY
Obama’s highlight sentence last week was:
Angela Merkel
“I speak as a proud citizen of the United States and a fellow citizen of the world. People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment. This is our time. America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, but the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel talked privately with Obama for an hour about foreign policy issues. A German government spokesman described the exchange of ideas as “very open.”
FRANCE
In Paris, Obama joined French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a joint news conference to agree that Afghanistan is “a war we have to win.”
Nicolas Sarkozy
Obama asserted that “al-Qaeda -- and other radical Islamic Taliban forces -- can not be allowed to organize terrorist attacks that could affect Paris or New York City.”
“The United States needs to send two additional brigades -- at least -- to Afghanistan,” said Obama. He thanked Sarkozy for being willing to send more French troops.
Obama stated at the conference that he would heed allies and seek consensus in meeting problems such as global warming, Iran and Middle East peace.
Sarkozy allowed as how he had found “a tremendous convergence of views” with Obama.
The French President stopped short of endorsing Obama but opined: “A French president has to work with an American president whomsoever that may be -- but the idea of an America that would set as a priority being sensitive to the concerns of our friends is obviously very attractive.
ENGLAND
Tony Blair
By the time Sen. Obama got to London, the novelty of a hopscotching U.S. presidential candidate had cooled off.
He had a peek of the Parliament building where a few people came to greet him sedately. Then he had breakfast with former Prime Minister Tony Blair (old and good friend of the USA.)
Gordon Brown
Then, Obama made his way to number 10 Downing Street -- home of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown -- and knocked on the door.
The wandering minstrel of American politics was invited in for tea and a stroll around the nearby Horse Guards Parade grounds.
Also, so as not to signal favoritism or a snub, Conservative Leader David Cameron came for a greeting.
Ten countries in seven days – about equal to a cut rate package tour.
OBAMA VS. MC CAIN
Obama’s grand tour titillated American news hawks, college students and political liberals.
The freshman Illinois Senator -- from south-side Chicago ward politics -- impresses everyone with his oratory and box-office appeal.
He undertook the “fact finding” tour in response to taunts of “know-nothing” by grey-haired, war hero, Arizona Senator John McCain with 27 years in Congress and a reputation for “crossing the aisle” to work with Democrats.
Obama seems to especially attract low-income workers and “people of color.” He is handsome, well educated, speaks well and has a beautiful wife and children.
Whether he would spend the nation’s taxes prudently -- and keep terrorists at bay – is untested.
Certainly he means well. However, that is not sufficient in a global economy, conflicting religions, a soaring national debt -- and threatening enemies.
As my grandmother used to say: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist
