Obama Chooses View over Foreign Leaders

[volinbham]

Nor sure if thread worthy since it's been discussed in a few others but here's an article from Time that makes some interesting points.

13 one on one meetings for this event last year. None this year even with the recent protests in the Mideast, Israel and Iran at each others throats, etc.

EnjoyObama Comes to New York for Barbara Walters and, sorta, the United Nations | Swampland | TIME.com

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

I don't blame any incumbent for spending time on their re-election campaign, but that does seem a bit too much... dissin' the PM of Israel and all.


BTW... could someone help me understand his comment to Ms. Walters. How does the middle class help grow the economy when it has been largely stagnant?

I just have a different vision about how we grow an economy. I think, Barbara, that you grow an economy from the middle out, not from the top down.”

 

[volinbham]

It doesn't make sense but it doesn't have to unfortunately.

 

[volfan6782]

I don't blame any incumbent for spending time on their re-election campaign, but that does seem a bit too much... dissin' the PM of Israel and all.


BTW... could someone help me understand his comment to Ms. Walters. How does the middle class help grow the economy when it has been largely stagnant?

By the time he's done the top will be the middle.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

It doesn't make sense but it doesn't have to unfortunately.

Agree. It's a great sound bite and echos what many would want to hear, but it just doesn't seem to hold water imo.

By the time he's done the top will be the middle.

Edit: Looks like volfan figured it out. :hi:

 

[YorkVol]

He's using the wrong word. Instead of "economy" he should be saying "revolution."

 

[Gramps]

This is very much a thread worthy topic.

Obama is in the middle of a heated campaign but I do not think taking a day off the campaign or fund raising trail to meet with some world leaders and look presidential would hurt the campaign.

It makes him look arrogant by not meeting with a few leaders.

A lot of talk has been made about not meeting with Netanyahu. I would be a little leary to meet with him at this time. It appears he is going to bomb Iran and he and Romney have been friends since their college days. He could have put Obama on the spot in a negative way.

 

[TheDeeble]

Obama wants votes. That's all it comes down to.

Personally, I don't think his campaign would be hurt by addressing what's happening over there right now.

But he'd rather go on daytime television and hang out with celebrities.

 

[VolFan32]

Goes back to the point I made in my earlier thread. The fact he'd rather go on The View instead of meet with leaders looks bad on his part.

 

[trevols81]

Who cares? He's playing to his base in an election year.

The UN summit is a complete waste of time.

 

[utvolpj]

The UN is a complete waste of time.

fixed

but then again so is The View so he loses either way

 

[PKT_VOL]

fixed

but then again so is The View so he loses either way

The View is not a waste of time, politically; the same cannot be said about the UN.

 

[volinbham]

I think the article makes a good point - the View is safe; doing the job of POTUS means you might goof up and pay the price politically. Sad state of affairs and not limited to Obama.

We've moved to full-on gotcha mode and every politician is in maximum CYA mode. Would be nice to have one that truly didn't give a damn about being re-elected relative to doing his/her job.

 

[Danl]

I think the article makes a good point - the View is safe; doing the job of POTUS means you might goof up and pay the price politically. Sad state of affairs and not limited to Obama.

We've moved to full-on gotcha mode and every politician is in maximum CYA mode. Would be nice to have one that truly didn't give a damn about being re-elected relative to doing his/her job.

In our (your) lifetime, has their been such a pol?

What about ever?

 

[volinbham]

Not that I recall - at least one that mildly didn't give a dang.

 

[gsvol]

It doesn't make sense but it doesn't have to unfortunately.

And unfortunately you're right.

What do you think of the Madonna endorsement?

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

In our (your) lifetime, has their been such a pol?

What about ever?

Not that I recall - at least one that mildly didn't give a dang.

G.W. made that statement a few times, and while it may have been genuine... imo it was more a reflection of his arrogance than apathy.