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A few years ago, before the 2008 elections, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) proclaimed on Fox News that al Qaeda members would be “dancing in the streets” if Barack Obama were elected president.
Given Anwar al-Awlaki’s death, and al Qaeda’s brutal losing streak in recent years, it’s probably safe to conclude that King’s buffoonish comments look even more ridiculous now than they did at the time.
Indeed, given recent developments, NBC’s First Read raises a good point about President Obama and foreign policy.
No president since George H.W. Bush has had more foreign-policy successes happen under his watch than President Obama. The death of bin Laden. The dismantling of al Qaeda. The ouster of Khaddafy. And the end of combat operations in Iraq. Yet when you look at polls and Obama’s approval rating, he’s getting almost no credit from the American public, a la Bush 41.
Noting the lengthy list of the Obama administration’s counter-terror successes, ABC’s Jake Tapper asked, “Remember when Rudy Giuliani warned that electing Barack Obama would mean that the U.S. played defense, not offense, against the terrorists? If this is defense, what does offense look like?”
Good question.
Taking a step back, though, I’m still struck by the extent to which this White House chooses not to take foreign-policy victory laps. If the Bush team had built up this impressive a record, is there any doubt there would be pictures of Dick Cheney and Bill Kristol chest-bumping on the South Lawn?
What’s more it’s not just counter-terrorism. There’s far more to foreign policy than striking bad guys, and Obama and his team have a string victories on the global stage — I still think the New START treaty is under-appreciated — that are routinely overlooked, at least by domestic audiences.
As we discussed last month, that the president has proven to be an effective international leader is no longer much of a question. But because Obama doesn’t feel the need to don a flight-suit, it seems as if the political world and much of the public just doesn’t notice.
Why does the administration choose not to invest more energy in patting its own back? If I had to guess, I’d say it comes down to two things. One, Obama doesn’t bring a dance-in-the-end-zone style to his responsibilities. Bush tried to milk national security for political gain, and maybe the president found it distasteful and prefers a classier approach.
And two, it probably wouldn’t matter much anyway — Americans’ interests are focused so heavily on the economy, nothing else sways public attitudes.
But that leads to another question: should Obama and his team do more chest-thumping and take more victory laps? Should they try to get the credit they deserve, and reinforce the image of Obama as a skillful and effective leader? I don’t think it’s a stretch to say a Republican president with a record as impressive as Obama’s would be talking about little else.
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ericfree on September 30, 2011 10:45 AM:
Dick Cheney and Bill Kristol chest bumping on the South Lawn? I may have to wash and disinfect my brain.
zandru on September 30, 2011 10:48 AM:
"should Obama and his team do more chest-thumping and take more victory laps?"
No. But every OTHER Democrat - including those of us not holding elective office - should be talking up this record.
bubba on September 30, 2011 10:48 AM:
There will be an appropriate time for promoting these successes, reminding the voters of these successes. BHO has, correctly IMHO, come to the proper conclusion that doing so too early would be met by a huge outcry from wingnut zealots, which would, in today's worthless media, get all the attention. In not doing so he also shows the world that maybe there really is a grownup in the WH and this helps build cred internationally, making the US and the world a safer place. However, there are still outstainding issues with some of these successes, like the legality and morality of ordering the assassination of a US citizen without due process...
Jim on September 30, 2011 10:50 AM:
If the Bush team had built up this impressive a record, is there any doubt there would be pictures of Dick Cheney and Bill Kristol chest-bumping on the South Lawn?nstai
Figurative mental images. David Gregory and Jake Tapper would introduce stories about judicial appointments and championship teams visiting the White House with reverential mention of "The Man Who Got Bin Laden". As it is, the modest attempts of the Obama WH to celebrate were (and will be, as the campaign gets underway) criticized as unseemly gloating.
T2 on September 30, 2011 11:02 AM:
Obama is not allowed to have success or be an effective leader. Only white guys can do that.
FRP on September 30, 2011 11:03 AM:
Well drums despite being hollow have quite an impact on the mind for a longer time than an unforgettable flute aria . Despite this orchestras seem to be capable of recruiting flautists and other delicate wind instruments . Perhaps the inexperienced community organizer was lucky and recalled his promises to Americans . The overwhelmingly positive response his plea for a sane political tone or , character and style , elicited a landslide response against such attractive opponents as Sen saint McCain , and seriously committed to verbal salad , "I stick to 'I me Mine'" Sara profiting in division since Hi Skule Palin .
How to be sure , oh how ?
I guess we may never know , especially if we listen to the drums .
Mac on September 30, 2011 11:05 AM:
Steve. Great post, and one that I completely agree with. Obama has overseen huge successes in foreign policy. Personally, I appreciate that his administration (and Hilary Clinton is part of this team) takes such a pragmatic, low-key approach to these things. In fact, I'd say that that's the m.o. of Obama's administration.
I am going to play devil's advocate, though. I wonder if one of the reasons why Obama gets so little credit is because, although he is incredibly pragmatic, his presidency doesn't manufacture symbolism very well. Remember, the presidency carries with it two functions. One is strictly administrative. The other is symbolic. The Obama administration excels at the former. It looks for common ground. It is results oriented. It is willing to accept very, very small net positive results. Etc. I'm not so convinced, though, that his administration is very adept at managing the "symbols" of office. This is ironic given what an incredible public speaker is. But consider, from a pragmatic viewpoint, it might not matter if, say, the head of another country comes and disses Obama and gives a speech to Congress full of standing ovations. It might not matter (we're talking in terms of net results) if Gitmo remains a gulag. It might not matter if investigations of torture are left behind. Pragmatism isn't about emotions, after all, its about results. And in sporting events and business, results are all that matter. But symbolism *is* about emotions. Sure, Bush II was a horrendous administrator, and the country is suffering because of it. But I think that he played the symbolic role of president much better than Obama does.
But hey, like I say, I prefer the pragmatic over the symbolic, and Obama should definitely play to his strengths. Keep the foreign policy results a' comin.
stormskies on September 30, 2011 11:08 AM:
And we can expect any minute now Liz Cheney, who is nothing more than the results of an enema, showing up on all the news shows congratulating President Obama on keeping our country safe ...........
Anonymous on September 30, 2011 11:08 AM:
No Drama Obama is perfectly suited for foreign policy. His foreign policy team lead by Hillary Clinton is outstanding.
The Washington press corp is focused on internal issues. It pays little attention to foreign policy, mostly because it doesn't understand anything that happens outside the beltway.
Grumpy on September 30, 2011 11:10 AM:
I’m still struck by the extent to which this White House chooses not to take foreign-policy victory laps.
That's because you assume these victories are intentional and that Obama is pleased with them. In fact, they are completely accidental, and Obama is ashamed of his affronts to fellow Muslims. Obviously.
Dan Z. on September 30, 2011 11:12 AM:
Let's not forget that messages sent by leaders are not solely for domestic consumption. One option you haven't considered is that the lack of triumphalism is part of a broad strategy. There is, in Putnam's parlance, a two-level game the President has to play. One domestically and one internationally. Chest-thumping and dancing in the end zone feels and looks great if you're the team that scored, not so much for the losers. This arguably will affect perceptions of arrogance and amenability in the Muslim world. Walk softly and carry a big stick still applies.
c u n d gulag on September 30, 2011 11:14 AM:
Chest thumping?
Are you MAD?
Look at what happened when he and his wife just fist-bumped?
Chest thumping will now be made into some Aboriginal Kenyan Communist right of passage into Witchdoctorhood.
PLEASE - NO CHEST THUMPING OR BUMPING!!!
Bob M on September 30, 2011 11:14 AM:
Given Cheney's heart attacks, I would love to see others chest bumping him.
JD on September 30, 2011 11:15 AM:
Excellent comment, Dan Z.
proportion wheel on September 30, 2011 11:17 AM:
You are asking us to celebrate the assassination of an American citizen (however vile), in direct and obvious violation of the first and fifth amendments, personally ordered by the president. This is shameful and disgusting.
SYSPROG on September 30, 2011 11:19 AM:
Zandru, I AGREE! Every single Democrat should be out there proclaiming this over and over. The President CANNOT 'chest pump' because the GOP money machine bombs away with 'Oh HE'S taking credit for everything? It's the TROOPS!!!' Guess they don't remember 'Mission Accomplished'...
kevo on September 30, 2011 11:24 AM:
No, Mr. Benen, in a pleasant world our President wouldn't have to do any of the showboating things you ask if the Republican Brand could refrain from using vulgar political rhetoric!
What are early 21st century Republicans? Ineffective debators, incompetent policy promoters, and initiators of vulgarities into our political lexicon exactly because they are ineffective and incompetent!
Examples: Pals around with terrorists (vulgar yes, digressive yes, and used for cheap political points) Death Panels (the vulgarity is inherent in the phrase alone) and killing jobs (what the Republican policies have been doing for the past 10 years, but what the Republicans want us to believe President Obama's jobs plan is going to do).
Synonym of Republican = numbskull! -Kevo
stevio on September 30, 2011 11:33 AM:
Why incite zealots, both international and national? By not chest-thumping he's sending a very clear signal that he's not out to brag, he's out to terminate these bastards.
I agree with the poster who mentioned that Obama's party members are the ones who need to bring this stuff to the fore.
My guess is that they have tried but the "liberal free press" doesn't pass along the info because, as we on this blog already know, there is no such thing as a free liberal press.
What was once a proud "Fourth Estate" replete with DanRather's, Edward R Morrows, etc., has been purchased by corporate entities disinterested in such trivial matters. These type s of things only wallop them in their "arms race" pocketbooks. Nothing can be any worse for these money grabbers than to have a war end. There is no money to be made from peace, much less a cure for a disease that they can milk by selling drugs that treat it as opposed to curing it.
It's all about money and always will be about money. Period. Religion and politics are the latter's used as a means to collect the former.
Nauseating...
DAY on September 30, 2011 12:09 PM:
Dan Z is spot on. As most of our Secretaries of State have shown, international relations are all about nuance and consensus.
End zone celebrations are the province of amateurs.
slappy magoo on September 30, 2011 12:27 PM:
When Obama talked about the efforts of EVERYONE that helped find and kill bin Laden, all I ever heard from my "friends" on the right was that Obama was showboating and taking "all the credit." I doubt their tune would change were the al Queda leader killed someone they never heard of.
We live in a center-right nation, it must be true, all the far-right-wingers who lost in 2008 told us so, and really, what reason do they have to make crap up? It is up to them to decide when the President gets respect and credit and in what amount. The fact that he gets little credit and no respect clearly indicates that he's yet to earn it. Try again, little Barry...but don't try too hard, or else you'll be accused of trying too hard...but if you don't try hard enough, we'll crucify you for wanting the terrorists to win...oh, and there is no "just right" amount of trying...but do it anyway...because we said so...
Tis the Republican way of looking at the world, whatever and ever, amen.
Anonymous on September 30, 2011 12:29 PM:
I agree that Obama's outstanding, successful and wise foreign policy has been undervalued and underreported.
What amazes, absolutely amazes me in your post is that NBC and ABC are openly recognizing it!
How come their usual GOP censors didn't prevent this?
After all these networks had Dick Cheney on every week at the start of Obama's presidency to declare how wretched and incompetent Obama's foreign policy and action on terrorism was until he himself was at death's door. He did a dos à dos with his daughter on this one. (Only understandable once we realize that he and Obama had opposed views of foreign policy: Cheney for military empire building and protecting the dictators who protected oil interests, Obama no.)
Quiet now...
Obama has helped remake the map of the Middle East and N Africa, and the entire world should be grateful to him for this. I fully believe Israel will come to appreciate him, too.
Paul Dirks on September 30, 2011 12:33 PM:
Of course the act of taking a victory lap itself is part of one's foreign policy. Perhaps his low-key approach and his success are related.
Chris on September 30, 2011 12:34 PM:
"...should Obama and his team do more chest-thumping and take more victory laps? Should they try to get the credit they deserve, and reinforce the image of Obama as a skillful and effective leader?"
Yes! and Yes!
Politicians can't afford to be humble. This especially applies to the president.
Getting yourself re-elected and those who share your values is part of the job. Changing perceptions is part of the job. Persuading voters is part of the job. Fact checking is part of the job. Using the bully-pulpit is part of the job. Influencing media coverage (aka: public relations) is part of the job. Educating about your accomplishments and how the electorate benefits is part of the job. So yes, boasting is part of the job.
To my frustration, Republicans generally know this, and Democrats generally don't.
MuddyPolitics on September 30, 2011 12:36 PM:
Foreign policy just isn't an important issue right now. If Obama stood under a banner that said "Mission to destroy al-Qaeda Accomplished," it would make some headlines, but obviously it wouldn't change people's minds about the economy.
Chris on September 30, 2011 12:37 PM:
By the way, Presidents can find ways to chest-thump or boast (educate/remind the public about their accomplishments and how they benefit Americans) without seeming like they're chest-thumping or boasting. No flight suits necessary.
thecrow on September 30, 2011 12:49 PM:
"I've learned an immense amount from Dr. Brzezinski."
- Barack Obama, 2007
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/the-ones-who-attacked-us/
Byo on September 30, 2011 1:01 PM:
@Grumpy- I hope you stay grumpy. You have not got past the "Kenyan muslim communist socialist" meme, eh?
notacasetocrowabout on September 30, 2011 1:01 PM:
have to admit, i am with Kevin Drum and Greenwald on this one. al-Awlaki was not a good man, not even close, but the precedent just established is truly terrible for people who actually value rule of law.
Trollhattan on September 30, 2011 1:03 PM:
ABC’s Jake Tapper asked, “Remember when Rudy Giuliani warned that electing Barack Obama would mean that the U.S. played defense, not offense, against the terrorists? If this is defense, what does offense look like?”
Why, bombing Iran, of course.
/Bolton et al.
Just Guessing on September 30, 2011 1:07 PM:
I don't think he needs to be chest-thumping. I would rather see him give credit to the behind the scenes "government employees" who work hard 24/7 to keep the country safe.
Everyone complains about what the government costs through taxes and some push back on what you get for your tax dollar would help to alter the mindset a some people who forget the work involved.
Spring Texan on September 30, 2011 1:09 PM:
ProportionWheel and Trollhattan are absolutely right, this is NOTHING to celebrate!!!
Glenn Greenwald said it in 2010:
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/04/07/assassinations "Not even George Bush targeted American citizens for this type of extra-judicial killing . . . And what about all the progressives who screamed for years about the Bush administration's tyrannical treatment of Jose Padilla? Bush merely imprisoned Padilla for years without a trial. If that's a vicious, tyrannical assault on the Constitution -- and it was -- what should they be saying about the Nobel Peace Prize winner's assassination of American citizens without any due process?"
Whatever happened to the Constitution? I can never applaud this. And it's appalling that so many Obama supporters are perfectly willing to do so.
But I jumped off the Obama train long ago -- he's a disaster; and the Bush disaster followed by the Obama disaster has put us in a terrible pickle.
Spring Texan on September 30, 2011 1:12 PM:
Oops, should have said I agreed with ProportionWheel and notacasetocrowabout - Trollhattan made a different comment.
stinger on September 30, 2011 1:16 PM:
It’s not just that the President has a personal style that’s rightly been called No-Drama Obama, but also that he plays a long game politically. Having travelled and even lived overseas, he understands better than most Americans that end-zone dances actually damage our standing abroad and hamper future efforts in international diplomacy (and coordinated military action).
I agree with zandru that the rest of us should be talking it up, however.
sapient on September 30, 2011 1:37 PM:
Spring Texan (and your likeminded friends): If an American citizen is actively engaged with the other side in a war, he is a target. What's so hard about that? Killing people when at war does not involve the same due process protections as killing people who are accused of crimes. End of story.
But even if this were being treated as a "crime," dangerous armed fugitives are often killed in a shoot-out situation. It's called using deadly force when absolutely necessary in order to stop a deadly crime from occurring. If Americans seek shelter in a lawless country, surround themselves with armed protection in order to plot mass murder, should we really let a lot of people risk getting killed in order to capture them? Sorry, but that's absurd.
Greenwald is a professional Obama-hater, and has completely discredited himself.
rikyrah on September 30, 2011 1:57 PM:
the best part about it, is that his success has left the GOP scrambling, cause they can't say shyt.
exlibra on September 30, 2011 3:39 PM:
No president since George H.W. Bush has had more foreign-policy successes happen under his watch than President Obama. -- NBC's First Read
If you read this sentence carefully, you'll notice that its impact is, essentially:"things happened on Obama's watch, while he, himself, stood passively by". IOW, he had nothing to do with those things happening. Ergo, he has no call to be chest thumping.
zlydonna on September 30, 2011 4:36 PM:
Slappy magoo: I hear you. We live in a center-left nation with a center-right Media. I get so sick of being constantly told to believe in opposite world.
The first elected official MSNBC sought to talk to was Rep. Peter King. Really? This race to always talk to republicans about national defense and foreign policy issues, is why many Americans have the misguided notion, that republicans know more about keeping our country safe.
Our President understands the big picture (a la Dan Z). Our media does not. President Obama will always have a public relations disadvantage because he is a man of substance, not sound bites. This is to the shame of the American public, not the President.
Start II is awesome. The ongoing operation to eliminate loose nuclear waste is amazing, not to mention the unprecedented international cooperation the Obama Administration has received. Taking out a repressive Dictator for less than 2 billion dollars, as opposed to 2 trillion is certainly a more cost effective 'Doctrine'. I am constantly amazed by President Obama's accomplishments. Even more so when you consider the circumstances under which he must govern.
The 'Professional Left' should be damned for their selfish distain, and short-sighted criticisms. Despite their protestations, they provide very little constructive analysis, and even less in the way of ideas to forward progressive goals. Democrats should maintain constant vigilence over elected officials, but the Obama-bashing coming from people like greenwald and hamsher has become nasty, personal, sometimes racial, and always deranged.