Former Vice President Dick Cheney told Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity that President Obama’s handshake with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez “was not helpful” and could lead “foes” of the U.S. to “think they’re dealing with a weak president.”
But just consider this: Obama has not only shaken hands, but given a place at the negotiating table to a group even more out of tune with American values — Republicans. Matthew Yglesias puts together data from several polls showing that Americans view Venezuela more favorably that the Republican party.
So if Obama shouldn’t be allowed to shake hands with Chavez, how could we possibly condone him interacting with Republicans? Hugo Chavez may be vocally anti-American, but Americans aren’t fooled. They recognize that the Republican party has done far more damage to the US than Venezuela ever could.
I take whatever Dick Cheney says with a grain of salt. Sean Hannity as well. They’re just jealous that President Obama showsClass rather than arrogance when around leaders of other countries.
How about when Ronald Reagan hosted Mikhail Gorbachov in 1987 or Richard Nixon smiling at and shaking the hand of Chinese Communist Leader, Mao Tse Tung??? How quickly the Republicns forget these moments!!
There’s not enough salt in the world to take with ANYTHING Dick says.
Some people may believe that there’s nothing Dick Cheney or Sean Hannity would enjoy more than an attack on America with Barack Obama as President.
There is no doubt, however, that their own words of offer comfort to Americas enemies.
For example his recent claim that Obama’s administration had made America less safe, that could be taken as an invitation for an attack.
In Cheney’s world, Liberals are the worst enemy, and that belief clouds his judgment. In Cheneys world, what terrorists actually think about the things he says is irrelevant. Only perceived political advantage matters to him.
Barack Obama isn’t speaking to his enemies; he is speaking to the followers of his enemies and to the opponents of his enemies. He is speaking to all of us. We are where his strength comes from and he knows that. He is a leader, and leaders of his caliber are a rare breed. He understands that real strength comes from humility, honesty, mutual respect and a willingness to consider all points of view. He acknowledges good ideas that come from bad people and admonishes bad ideas that come from good people. He has sufficient confidence and strength of character to not rule by fear, nor to fear ruling, which he does when necessary.
Dick Cheney is not a leader now, has never been and will never be. He doesn’t love anyone he loathes everyone and we all know that. That is why he is an angry, frustrated pathetic old man. He doesn’t understand why he lost power. He is a manipulator of power and he failed. He failed because in a world where information flows freely and most people have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the world around them, the sheer manipulation of power doesn’t work very well any more. Truth eventually conquers fear.
I don’t agree with Obama on all things. I do trust that when I disagree with him it is either because he doesn’t know something I do or I don’t know something he does. He is ruled by reason and if he is wrong, he will admit it, change course and move on. That is all I ask of him.
Obama has reached out to the Republicans because it is the wise thing to do. He has reached out to all world leaders for the same reason. He can’t know what the reaction will be unless he tries. All of us will see the reaction when he does. The Republican leadership is showing its lockstep thinking because he has allowed it to. This is always the best way to flush out ignorance. The world leaders have largely been very conciliatory towards him. This is because he is probably one of the most widely known and respected public figures in the world. If a citizen in Venezuela had to choose between trusting Chavez or Cheney, Chavez wins. Not so with Obama. That is what pisses off Cheney. Obama is restoring the hegemony of the United States by force of character rather than force. Leadership is more effective than the manipulation of power.
I dont see him as a humble person…to me, he is very arrogant. $100,000 pizza’s are a sign of arrogance.
Honesty? Ummm….OK. I’ll leave that one alone.
Mutual respect for who? World leaders? I am OK with that. But most Presidents have respect for world leaders. How can they not?
Consider all viewpoints…Hmmm? I don’t see that at all. He sure doesn’t consider Republican viewpoints. He has a tendency to push forth HIS agenda regardless of the other viewpoints. He is as partisan as they come.
There is a TON of examples where his speeches demonstrate the “fear factor”. He also has a very invidious nature, which is not a quality I like in a President.
Don Huizenga,
“He is as partisan as they come.”
Is it not a fact that the Republican party has relied for many years on winning elections by using wedge, partisan issues?
There are many who feel the Republican party is so unpopular only BECAUSE they have relied so heavily on being extremely one sided on every issue.
Most of your comments sound like a very accurate description of the bold, strong, steady “leadership” of George W. Bush.
Great Job!
Dan! What rock did you just crawl out from under???
Have you been asleep for the last 8 years??? Apparently you have!
Have a good day!
Karen, you go girl! We need new blood on this blog to reiterate the vacuousness of the right’s arguments.
Kathy! sorry
“Our policy was to ignore him (Chavez)”
Deadeye Dick Cheney.
Huizinga, you are a hack.
Huizinga-
Were you aware that Obama has given more cabinet appointments to members of the opposition party than ANY president in YOUR lifetime?
I bet not. Consider this a day when you learn a new thing. If you did indeed know that prior to me telling you, then CONGRATULATIONS! You too are a lying sack of shyte!*
*Please print up your DtM liars’ club card.
I am of the opinion that it is a profound miscalculation to attempt employ any kind of fact-based, logical, rational thought processes, reasoning, etc. when dealing with right wingers. A metaphor: if I am walking down the street in a large city and approach a man on soap box with a megaphone shouting the end of the world is near, my best course of action is to find a way to cross the street so as to avoid having my ears damaged. Discourse with the man on a soap box is futile. As is dealing with the right-wing. Best course: know where you are going and avoid the men on soap boxes.
Can you hear the desperation and “fail” in the voices of Republicans attacking President Obama? It is weird how they can not understand how relieved Americans are to see a competent, intelligent and gracious man lead our country. After 8 years of a Republican president who screwed up EVERYTHING he touched, with full support of those presently attacking Obama, it is refreshing to discuss ideas and solutions instead of the rude crude “My way or the highway” BUsh approach.
As John Stewart pointed out, “This isn’t tyranny. You just lost the election.” All those whiny Republicans who want to destroy the union or have America fail need to reread their history books. They are not patriots to be praised, they are traitors to the Constitution who need to be watched very closely for illegal actions.
Amuse…could you please list all of the Constitutional violations that Republicans have committed? I have read a ton of history books (and NOT fiction, mind you) and I can say that when it comes to sticking to the letter of our Constitution, Republicans are much more adept than Democrats.
But, I do appreciate your authoritarian, Statist views. How else will we be able to identify those who wish to control and manipulate for their own benefit, versus those who believe in true freedom?
Anytime you want to have a Constitutional debate, or history debate, just give me a call, eh?
Just off the top of my head… Don you represent the party of Nixon. He tried to steal an election by burglarizing the Democratic party. Secret wiretaps without judicial oversight are the mark of George Bush, you and the Republican party. Secession is by its’ very definition described as treason, and multiple Republicans have been calling for it.
Do we even have to go on? Don if you were concerned about the American Constitution you would turn your back on the Republican party right now. You would see that the graft, hatred and anti-American element of that party has taken over. Duke Cunningham and Mark Foley are your Republican party.
Nitro, ALL politicians use wedge issues to win elections…thats the point. You make it sound as though DFL’ers are immune from the use of wedge issues, scare tactics, and other “political machine” ramblings. There are left and right thinking minds in this country…and there always will be. As long as that remains true, we will have “wedge issues”.
Kathy, I have been under the same rock you have. But, unlike you, I came out from under the rock when the administration changed…therefore I am no longer concerned with the past but I am gravely concerned for our future. If you need the government to solidify and provide for your existence in this country, well…I feel sorry for you.
Lojo, yes, I am aware of that. Does the saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” ring a bell? Besides, this president has a terrible record for filling his cabinet and sub-cabinet positions.
Obama likes to think of himself as the paladin for the downtrodden in America…I see him as an enabler of failure.
Don Huizenga,
Your opinion is merely your opinion, and not a very credible one at that.
I think there are a very large number of people that would whole-heartedly disagree with you that the level of hubris, vitriol, mischaracterization, fallacious argument, half truths, and lies are equal on both sides.
I think you are living with your head in the sand if you think those of us who would disagree with you don’t vote, and are not a very large number.
You have no right to question my credibility, nor I yours. But, as you can see, I did not question your credibility, nor insult your opinion. Heres another little saying for you….”Pot meet kettle”.
Listen, you can post your opinions all you want. Thats the point of the board. But to give a higher validation to your opinion over mine is the truest example of egoism there is. BTW…when are YOU stepping out to do your share in the DFL party? Made any runs for office recently?
All talk, no action….Hmmmm….where have I heard that before?
Amuse…you are labeling me a member of the party of NIXON? HA HA HA! How far back do you want to travel in that time machine of yours! Nixon! Pffffttt!
That was one of the saddest comments I have ever seen posted, as a rebuttal.
I actually think of myself as more akin to John Adams and A. Hamilton.
Ever read the Federalist Papers? You should