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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCalm, Cool, and Collected, President Obama Schools ABC Reporter During Press Conference at The Hague
Last edited Thu Mar 27, 2014, 09:01 AM - Edit history (1)
by NedSparks
I suppose it would be charitable to say that Jonathan Karl was simply being a reporter when he stood up during a press conference at The Hague Tuesday and asked President Barack Obama if Mitt Romney was correct during the 2012 presidential campaign when he referred to Russia as Americas Number one geopolitical foe, a description the President contended, at the time, better suited Iran due to the Islamic republics nuclear ambitions.
The ABC News reporters question was ironic, considering that the President had won a major victory in his efforts to secure the worlds stockpile of nuclear weapons, following Japans announcement hours earlier that it would return to the United States more than 700 pounds of weapons grade plutonium and a supply of highly enriched uranium.
The news from Japan would have been an important subject of inquiry for most other reporters assembled with the international press core, but certainly not juicy enough for Karl and other members of the US media contingent, which, In light of Russias grabbing control of Crimea, seemed more interested in declaring Romney right and Obama wrong.
A noteworthy recapping of this event can be seen on MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell, who, in describing this interchange between Karl and an unruffled President Obama, said:
At the Presidents press conference at The Hague today, he discovered that the Romney campaign is alive and well, at least in the hearts of some White House Correspondents.
Karl's engagement with the President at times had him shaking his head in disagreement when the President exposed the merits of his argument.
JONATHAN KARL: Do you think Mitt Romney had a point when he said that Russia is Americas biggest geopolitical foe?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: With Respect to Mr. Romneys assertion that Russias our number one geopolitical foe. The truth of the matter is that Americas got a whole lot of challenges Russia is a regional power that is threatening some of its immediate neighbors not out of strength, but out of weakness. The fact that Russia felt compelled to go in militarily, and laid bare these violations of international law, indicates less influence not more . Russias actions are a problem. They dont pose the number one national security check to the United States . I continue to be much more concerned, when it comes to our security, with the prospect of a nuclear weapon going off in Manhattan, which is part of the reason why the United States showing its continued international leadership has organized a forum over the last seven years, which has been able to eliminate that threat in a consistent way.
In a seeming attempt at embarrassing the President, Karl continued through the utilization of the idiotic suggestion by Republicans that by not commencing some form of military action against Russia, the President has contributed to the decline of America.
JONATHAN KARL: In China, in Syria, in Egypt, and now in Russia, weve seen you make strong statementsissue warnings that have been ignored. Are you concerned that Americas influence in the worldyour influence in the world is on a decline?
President Obamas measured, concise, and logical response, not only reminded so many why they elected and reelected him President, but he stood before an international audience and thoroughly deconstructed Karl and his ridiculous Republican engendered propaganda.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well Jonathan, I think if the premise of the question is that whenever the United States objects to an action, and other countries dont immediately do exactly what we want that thats been the norm that would pretty much erase most of twentieth century history I think that theres a distinction between us being very clear about what we think is an appropriate action, what we stand for, what principles we believe in, versus, what is, I guess, is implied in the question that we should engage in some sort of military action to prevent something.
With this very thoughtful reply, the President not only pointed to the fact that the United States managed to maintain a dominant position in the world throughout the past century despite the fact that other nations have on occasion disobeyed it, but he also stated clearly what many on the Right have been calling for, through veiled language of not standing up to Putin and repeated innuendo of America being in decline, and that is the insane desire to have a militarily confrontation with Russia over its invasion of Crimea.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: The truth of the matter is that the world has always been messy And what the United States has consistently been able to do we continue to be able to do is to mobilize the international community around a set of principles and norms . And, where our own self defense may not be involved, we may not act militarilythat does not mean we dont steadily push against those forces which would violate those principles and ideas we care about. So, yes, youre right, Syria...the Syrian civil War is not solved and yet, Syrias never been more isolated . With respect to the situation in the Ukraine we have not gone to war with Russia I think theres a significant precedent to that in the past.
As ODonnel pointed out, there has been a long line of Presidents, starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower through George W. Bush, who have not gone to war with Russia. The President continued:
PRESIDENT OBAMA: The point is that there are always going to be bad things that happen around the world and the United States is the most powerful nation in the worldunderstandably is look to for solutions to those problems . There are going to be moments where...military action is appropriate. There are going to be sometimes where thats not in the interestnational security interestof the United States, or some of our partners, but that doesn't mean were not going to continue to make the effort or speak clearly about what we think is right and wrong and thats what we've done.
This is the kind of individual I want leading this nation, not the individual who said this:
Mr. President, The only thing that can stop a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke -- Sarah Palin
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/03/26/1287482/-Calm-Cool-and-Collected-President-Obama-Schools-ABC-Reporter-During-Presss-Conference-at-The-Hague
Updated to add:
Note:
Enrique
(27,461 posts)where giving a good answer becomes "schools the reporter" or "smacks him down" or "obliterates his talking points"
By the way, it is certain that Obama had heard Romney's comments and that he was ready to answer them, and this reporter gave him the opportunity to do it, which he did very well.
"i'm surprised this isn't from politicus.usa where giving a good answer becomes "schools the reporter" or "smacks him down" or "obliterates his talking points" "
...that still beats: OMG, Obama said what????
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)What silly people we have on DU...
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)Sometimes this place is simply an embarrassment.
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)It's not enough to merely hate Obama. You also have to sniff at anyone who pens a positive analysis of him.
A pathetic response.
Cha
(297,149 posts)infamous fake email one.. Jon Karl.
Where Are ABC News' Corrections For Their False Benghazi Email Claims?
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/05/20/where-are-abc-news-corrections-for-their-false/194146
Jay Carney smacks down ABCs Jonathan Karl: Im sure youll represent GOP talking points
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/07/jay-carney-smacks-down-abcs-jonathan-karl-im-sure-youll-represent-gop-talking-points/
Got something to say about rawstory, too?
calimary
(81,220 posts)took questions from everybody BUT the hacks in the front row (jonathan "Collegiate Network" karl and chuck "it's not my job to correct the record or challenging a lie" todd). And at the end, he strolled off the little riser and left the room, with todd and karl gape-mouthed and blithering after they'd shouted and strained to get his attention so he'd call on them - all in vain. There was a third one in the front row too, who got ignored along with them, if I remember correctly. And it was MOST satisfying.
Cha
(297,149 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)ConservativeDemocrat
(2,720 posts)It was amazing. He also handled the European press with aplomb as well.
- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community
MrScorpio
(73,630 posts)Who aren't used to having adults in charge of the White House.
Cha
(297,149 posts)MrScorpio
(73,630 posts)Doesn't he?
Cha
(297,149 posts)be able to prove it any day now "
Cha
(297,149 posts)elleng
(130,865 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)I'm proud of the three votes I've cast for him
progressoid
(49,978 posts)okaawhatever
(9,461 posts)and misleading America on an issue of significant importance scandal. And shame on ABC for their lame correction and failing to research their own story's fraud.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)3catwoman3
(23,973 posts)...Mr. Romney, rather than Governor Romney - emphasized his "civilian" standing.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)a Nostradumbass.
okaawhatever
(9,461 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)It was so spontaneously well spoken. We're so lucky to have such a thoughtful, intelligent, well spoken president. I'll bet he impressed the hell out of all those in the audience. Maybe I'm wrong and am just an unthinking Obamabot?
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Constant questions about things that are petty even on foreign land. RWers are sick.
Hekate
(90,644 posts)...just to display their animus to the President to a foreign audience. He handles them well.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)because I remember what a sensation the Mitt was as a Presidential candidate in Europe.
Cha
(297,149 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Cha
(297,149 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)Whisp
(24,096 posts)and what do they do?
While they are washing out their undergarments they are giggling at their own imagined victory or Obama's imagined errors and weaknesses.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)karynnj
(59,501 posts)PRIME MINISTER RUTTE: There is no geopolitical conflict which can be solved without the United States. And therefore, I applaud the fact that President Obamas administration is active in every arena -- Ukraine, Iran, Syria, the Middle East peace process, and so many other parts of the world -- and takes initiatives Secretary of State Kerry is taking now in the Middle East peace process. I was, in December, in the region and I spoke with senior leaders both in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. They are extremely grateful for the fact that America is providing that leadership.
This is a difficult issue; it cant be solved overnight. There is no magic wand which can handle this. But progress is being made. Take Iran. I spoke with President Rouhani in Davos at the World Economic Forum in January. We have now interim accords. The fact that I was able -- the first Dutch leader in over 30, 40 years who spoke with an Iranian leader, President Rouhani -- was possible because of the interim accords, and it seems that it is holding. America provides leadership there.
So I really applaud President Obamas role in all these major issues. And it is necessary because the United States is leader of the free world and needs to provide that leadership, and he is doing that.
Then, on your question about President Putin, I cannot -- it would be difficult to exactly judge what is happening in the senior leadership in Moscow, in Russia, at this moment. But as I said earlier, a highly undiversified economy, like the Russian economy, which is so much oil and gas-dependent, which has not invested in infrastructure, invested in other areas of its economy -- it will be worried if there is a risk in the financial sector, or in weapons, or in trade, or indeed in energy. There could be potential sanctions; it will hurt them. And as I said earlier, we have to design them in such a way that they will particularly hit Russia and not Europe, the U.S., Canada or Japan. That is what we are working on and we hope we wont need them.
And then, on a red line, I cannot envision this conflict ending up in a military conflict. I dont think that is likely. I dont think anybody wants it. And at the same time, I totally agree with President Obamas answer on Article 5, when this conflict will be taken to the borders of one of the NATO countries. But, luckily, that is at this moment not the case.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/25/press-conference-president-obama-and-prime-minister-rutte-netherlands
This is the best defense I have heard of Obama's administration - and it is from a respected head of state. Not only that - it is not fluff, but lists substantive examples of real leadership. This should be given more coverage - as it directly answers McCain, Graham and Corker and their media pals.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Control-Z
(15,682 posts)Really excellent!
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Jonathan Karl is a Republican HACK