Comments on: For Obama, An Unintended Defense http://publicdiplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/05/16/an-unintended-defense/ The World Affairs Blog Network Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:14:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Pat Frost http://publicdiplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/05/16/an-unintended-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 Pat Frost Mon, 19 May 2008 18:38:37 +0000 http://publicdiplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/05/16/an-unintended-defense/#comment-1168 I disagree with Steele's assertion that Obama being a minority president would have a 'colossal international impact in itself.' Barak will get the same 5 minutes of honeymoon period with the world as all other presidents. It is shallow thinking that the world dislikes America because of George W Bush alone. International Relations are much more complicated than that and America's influence is much deeper than that. Also Steele sure seems to have a major problem with the 'naive self-image of the US as a beacon on the hill,' well I think this is a tremendous overstatement and simplification, but also how exactly can a person debase a government's history to such a degree, that has seen so much success. The US has had the most successful foreign policy in history. This is of course not to say that much cannot be criticized and judged, but let's keep things in perspective here. I disagree with Steele's assertion that Obama being a minority president would have a ‘colossal international impact in itself.’ Barak will get the same 5 minutes of honeymoon period with the world as all other presidents. It is shallow thinking that the world dislikes America because of George W Bush alone. International Relations are much more complicated than that and America's influence is much deeper than that. Also Steele sure seems to have a major problem with the ‘naive self-image of the US as a beacon on the hill,’ well I think this is a tremendous overstatement and simplification, but also how exactly can a person debase a government's history to such a degree, that has seen so much success. The US has had the most successful foreign policy in history. This is of course not to say that much cannot be criticized and judged, but let's keep things in perspective here.

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