When Slapped, Slap Back, by Eugene Robinson

[jefferson_dem]

When Slapped, Slap Back

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

It's hard to argue with the results thus far from President Obama's "no drama" approach to campaigning and governing, but I think he should learn to chew a little scenery when the occasion demands. Theatricality is one of the weapons in any leader's arsenal, and a well-timed glower or growl can have more impact than a sheaf of position papers.

Obama's critics are upset that at the recent Summit of the Americas, held in Trinidad and Tobago, he treated his fellow leaders from around the hemisphere as peers. Obama's collegial attitude was, indeed, a break from tradition -- and was long overdue. Nothing would have been gained by barking orders at our neighbors and reinforcing the old image of insufferable yanqui arrogance.

There were a couple of moments at the summit, however, when Obama would have been right to throw off a little heat.

One was his encounter with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, whose public persona is the polar opposite of Obama's. Chávez is all theater, all the time. He made the most of his introduction to the new American leader, enfolding him in an all-smiles handshake and presenting him with a book that harshly indicts the long, painful history of U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Any idea that Chávez is some sort of threat to the United States is absurd. It's hard to see his fiery anti-American rhetoric as anything more than performance art, given that he has been scrupulously careful to avoid even the slightest disruption of the U.S.-Venezuela economic relationship. Venezuela owns Citgo, among other concerns, and is a reliable supplier of oil to the thirsty U.S. market.

It should also be noted that Chávez has acquired his extraordinary executive powers -- he obviously wants to be president-for-life -- through the ballot box. Americans may not like him, but Venezuelans do -- a majority of them, at least. However, it's impossible to overlook his anti-democratic methods of silencing his critics and neutralizing any potential opposition. Even though he uses Venezuela's oil to bolster the Castro regime in Cuba, Chávez is hardly a by-the-book socialist. He's more of an old-style Latin American strongman, a caudillo, and that's no model for the 21st century.

Chávez can be charming. But when Obama shook the man's hand, he should have telegraphed clearly, through posture, expression and language, that he was not amused. Chávez's gift of the book was meant to affront, not to enlighten, and I would have advised Obama to reciprocate in kind.

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/20/AR2009042002814.html

[Teaser]

1. Obama, please look more uncomfortable. Also, straighten your tie.

.

[wyldwolf]

2. in today's political climate, very good advice

[Thrill]

3. Like most of MSM he wants to concentrate on the greeting picture. But totally ignore

when Obama had him to the side in an intense conversation. They don't want to show that video or talk about it.

And also this isn't the campaign. Obama doesn't need to be out there responding to every critic. He's the POTUS.

[lamp_shade]

4. I think this is the first time I've (respectfully) disagreed with Eugene.

[Connie_Corleone]

5. Obama wasn't always smiling when speaking with Chavez.

And Obama has his own style when dealing with people he disagrees with.

[stray cat]

6. Not all comments are even worth a response - why should Chavas warrant a response

a response to a rant is a complement and puts the two on an even playing field. The ultimate response is the non response that the statements are not even worth a response.

[Orsino]

7. Yawn.

Obama can engage Chavez. Bush was afraid to do so, and hid his fear poorly behind all that bluster.

[Egnever]

8. Et tu Eugene?

Seriously do people really care about this crap?