First lady’s African trip resurrects criticism of president on African issues

[alp227]

First lady Michelle Obama’s upcoming five-day goodwill tour to sub-Saharan Africa, designed to highlight HIV/AIDS projects and inspire young adults there, is billed by the White House as an important next step in the administration’s outreach to the continent.

But the trip also has resurrected criticism among a vocal subset of Africa advocates — including President Obama supporters — who say they are disappointed that the first American president with African roots has not personally focused more on the region.

Critics cite changes to a HIV/AIDS program advanced during the Bush administration, the relatively limited time Obama has spent on the continent as president and their belief that Africa has become less significant in U.S. foreign policy.

Expectations for American engagement with Africa soared when Obama took office, with advocates citing his previous travels to his father’s homeland of Kenya and attention paid to African nations while he was a senator. But while Obama has talked about his “family members who live in villages” and told an Africa-focused Web site that he is “probably as knowledgeable about African history as anybody who’s occupied my office,” he has made just one presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa.

Full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/first-ladys-african-trip-resurrects-criticism-of-president-on-african-issues/2011/06/17/AGLX3NaH_singlePage.html

[ej510]

1. It is true Obama has ignored the continent, it looks worse

because he is African.

[CakeGrrl]

2. And when he or Michelle DO visit...

the RWers are already bitching about her going for any reason. Whenever POTUS goes, someone will invariably gripe about him neglecting problems in America.

The man can't take a step without SOMEONE complaining about it.

[Vattel]

3. enough with the excuses

[CakeGrrl]

6. It's not an excuse, it's a fact.

With that, the President/First Lady should do what they're doing and deal with things as they see fit understanding the bigger picture better than their critics. No sense jumping at every complaint.

[Vattel]

9. why not increase the treatment program for aids?

Bush managed to do that in a big way. (No, I'm not saying that Bush was better than Obama. He was far worse.)

[uponit7771]

4. Wow, this soft sourced bashing never stops "subset of Africa advocates"..who the fuck is that? FUDr

...loved prints like this never stop amazing

[Vattel]

7. specific critics are identified

[Kind of Blue]

5. Article seems pretty well balanced to me, as

opposed to the 1st four paragraphs of the OP.

KnR for posting.

[Vattel]

8. serious discussion of actual poilicies would be more useful.

The article is basically a collection of different opinions on Obama's policies in Africa. No analysis, no arguments, no substance.