Monday, November 09, 2009

'Break out the Kryptonite'

A president's place is in the ... wait, what? Let's see what the top news looked like back on July 15:

In his first six months in office, President Obama has traveled abroad the equivalent of twice around the world.

... Somebody break out the kryptonite already.

Obama, whose international upbringing was touted as an asset during the campaign, has by far logged more frequent flier miles early on than any of his recent predecessors.

At the same time, Obama's foreign travel means he's not spending as much time at home -- a review of past administrations showed previous presidents devoted more time to traveling inside the United States.

The usual commentators "weigh in" on the topic, so let's look:

Obama's mini study abroad adventures have cemented the notion that he's a international figure, but not an international leader. Bush may have been tough, but he was respected, and so was the United States. With all past Presidents, the ones who are limp and quick to concede our liabilties abroad weaken our standing and make us more vulnerable. Too bad Britain's leaders didn't give Obama a history book.

Perhaps the next stimulus will include 300 million T-shirts declaring: "Obama toured the globe and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." At least he didn't start a war and every day there was one less here.

And how did it seem during the campaign?

John McCain is working on solving America's energy crisis and getting gas below $4 a gallon, while "the Barack of Obama," as I know like to call him, is globetrotting in Europe, hob-knobbing with the finest and the elites, but not having time to visit with American soldiers.

Glad we could clear that up for you.

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2 Comments:

Anonymous Amy F. said...

I had a similar reaction when I saw that Douthat noted it, too.

1:52 PM, November 09, 2009  
Blogger The Ridger, FCD said...

At least Obama got gas down to $2.50 - is he getting credit for that?

5:56 AM, November 10, 2009  

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