Obama's no-show in Asia a boost for China

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By ROBERT BURNS and GILLIAN WONG

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's decision to scrap his Asia trip is a setback for his much-advertised pledge to shift the focus of foreign policy to the Pacific and a boost for China's attempt to gain influence in the region.

By staying home because of the partial government shutdown, Obama hands new Chinese leader Xi Jinping a chance to fill the void at two Asian summits Obama had planned to attend. It's the third time since 2010 that Obama has cancelled an Asia trip, all because of domestic political crises.

Washington's budget crisis has reached the point where the White House felt compelled to skip Asia, giving Obama room to work with Congress on reopening the government. Had Obama left to attend the meetings, it would have given weight to critics who have said he's more willing to negotiate with foreign leaders than the speaker of the House.

Secretary of State John Kerry will represent him at the summits in Indonesia and Brunei.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131004/DA97J3900.html

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, foreground right, bows as he inspects a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony at Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. Xi is on a three-day state visit to Malaysia. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

[ffr]

1. They attempt to bring down the Pres on one hand

and ruin the country's world standing on the other.

That's Boehner and Co.!

[madrchsod]

2. what i find interesting about this report is the assumption there will be a set back.

Last edited Sat Oct 5, 2013, 09:55 AM - Edit history (1)

i take it the two writers have a crystal ball which they referenced for their article.

what passes for reporting today is a sad statement on our institutions of higher learning who graduate these writers and the employers who hire them.