President Obama extends hands to Chavez, Ortega at summit

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090418/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cb_obama_summit

President Barack Obama offered a spirit of cooperation to America's hemispheric neighbors at a summit Saturday, listening to complaints about past U.S. meddling and even reaching out to Venezuela's leftist leader.

While he worked to ease friction between the U.S. and their countries, Obama cautioned leaders at the Summit of the Americas to resist a temptation to blame all their problems on their behemoth neighbor to the north.

"I have a lot to learn and I very much look forward to listening and figuring out how we can work together more effectively," Obama said.

Obama said he was ready to accept Cuban President Raul Castro's proposal of talks on issues once off-limits for Cuba, including political prisoners held by the communist government.

(snip)
Ortega stepped up and introduced himself to Obama, U.S. officials said. But a short time later, Ortega delivered a blistering 50-minute speech that denounced capitalism and U.S. imperialism as the root of much hemispheric mischief. The address even recalled the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, though Ortega said the new U.S. president could not be held to account for that.

"I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old," Obama said, to laughter and applause from the other leaders.

[EFerrari]

1. That was such an amazing moment. Reagan did his best to get Ortega dead.

That he outlived the bastard and long enough to hear Obama make this joke is a good omen for all of us. :)

[monmouth]

2. I've noticed through Jackeen's wonderful pics that it appeared they

(the Latin American leaders) wanted to be sure Obama was made to feel comfortable. After all, he was not the one to blame for conditions as they exist today. I also noticed there was almost a paternalistic joy among all of them. He is young, charismatic, handsome and most of all smart. They are appreciative of what he has accomplished and wanted to be sure he knew this. Contrary to what the press reports, do you think, as smart as Obama is, he has not already read the book given him by Chavez??? That he would attend a meeting like this un-armed? I'm thinking he read it, knows it well and again, he's playing chess. Those who underestimate our President are not paying attention....

[liberalmuse]

3. I underestimated him a couple of times several months ago...

and was proven wrong. The guy continues to surprise me. I'm very happy that we have a President who is very intelligent, pragmatic, resourceful and is willing to extend a hand, even to those who should be his 'enemies', so to speak.

[monmouth]

4. Well said...n/t