Europeans discover Obama’s arrogance
posted at 12:55 pm on April 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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While the American media paints Barack Obama’s European tour as a balm on strained relations with EU allies, Europeans have a much different reaction to Obama today. After Obama endorsed Turkey’s bid to enter the EU, the Continental grumbling has broken through in the media — and the political class. Der Spiegel reports that German and French officials have begun complaining about Obama’s arrogance in injecting himself into a European decision, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy:
US President Barack Obama says Turkey’s future is in the European Union. Not everyone agrees. Numerous politicians in Germany have gone on the attack, and even French President Sarkozy is unimpressed. Turkey’s role at the NATO summit has soured the mood. …
Now that Obama is in Turkey, however, some political camps — particularly in Germany — have discovered the political efficacy of Obama bashing. While in Ankara, Obama reiterated his support for Turkish membership in the European Union, a position he first voiced on Sunday in Prague. That doesn’t sit well with some.
“Turkey is bound to Europe by more than bridges over the Bosporus,” Obama told the Turkish parliament on Monday. “Centuries of shared history, culture and commerce bring you together. And Turkish membership would broaden and strengthen Europe’s foundation once more.”
It is a sentiment not universally shared in Europe. On Monday, a number of politicians, particularly in Germany, went on the offensive. “It is a meddling in the internal affairs of Europe,” Bernd Posselt, a member of the European Parliament from Bavarian’s conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), blustered in an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE. “The EU is not Obama’s plaything. … He should accept Turkey as America’s 51st state instead,” he continued. …
Indeed, Sarkozy was quick to reject Obama’s support for Turkish EU membership. Speaking after the US president said in Prague on Sunday that membership for Turkey would “ensure we continue to anchor Turkey firmly in Europe,” Sarkozy said: “I have been working hand in hand with President Obama, but when it comes to the European Union it is up to member states … to decide.”
As Glenn Reynolds is wont to write, they told me that if I voted for John McCain, we’d continue to alienate our allies through diplomatic arrogance. And they were right!
Once again, this is what happens when we elect a head of state with no experience in foreign policy, and an apparent lack of curiosity about policies and issues. Even a moderately interested observer of EU politics would know that Turkey’s membership application has generated a lot of resistance and controversy. A well-informed head of state would realize that the kind of declaration given by Obama would likely damage those prospects, as it would represent a challenge for the EU to show some autonomy from the US.
Instead, we elected a rookie, and he’s already acted more arrogantly and with less skill than his predecessor, whom Obama criticized indirectly but obviously in town-hall meetings in Turkey and France. After this episode, George Bush and his careful handling of the Turkish question might gain some new respect from the EU.
Update: Yes, this has been the position of the US for a while, at least since 2006. Notice that George Bush managed to voice it in a manner that didn’t tick off our allies and demonstrate American arrogance? I guess Bush was just more adept at diplomacy than the new guy.
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radiofreevillage:
Do you really think the Europeans and Turks are that stupid? You are saying, we need to say one thing and mean another and lie to the people we say we want as our allies. Do you think they do not see through that posturing?
Why not just be honest? After all I thought that was what hope and change were all about.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Put it this way….no current or past American President will ever be accused of being world wise to the point of being jaded.
BL@KBIRD on April 7, 2009 at 3:26 PM
logis:
His DoJ is defending the same program used in the same way against the same people. It is a continuation of the Bush policy.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 3:27 PM
As for Clinton and foreign policy, what about the Balkans? The Greeks are still unhappy about that. They feel we supported the enemy.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Welcome to politics. You can be honest but you don’t need to be simplistic. I don’t represent the point of view of the US government, but despite what I said above, I’m not principally and unconditionally opposed to Turkey’s membership in EU. I think it’s a bad idea given the present state of the Turkish society.
Like for example when the incoming leader of NATO needs to apologize for the fact that his compatriots dared exercise their freedom of speech, clearly we have a problem. Now when you have a problem with a country you can start behaving like a jerk. That would be Bush’s approach. Hopenchange would be to try and be smarter about it.
Yes, we support closer relationships between Europe and Turkey. Yes, we see nothing wrong with the full EU membership being defined as the clear goal. But we will let the Europeans do it on terms acceptable to them while encouraging all parties to work on this problem and keep a positive attitude.
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Why are you guys talking about Clinton? LOL*
good gravy
AnninCA on April 7, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Very true. Any time a President of the United States acts in the best interest of the United States, I’m happy with the policy.
This isn’t a story because President Obama restated a long-standing U.S. policy while in Turkey. This is a story because, when President Obama works in the best interests of the U.S., the Europeans dislike him just as the disliked President Bush.
In spite of what was said on the campaign trail, he doesn’t have some magic wand to wave or freakishly good diplomatic skills to use in order to both act in our interests on a controversial matter and still be loved by the entire world.
JadeNYU on April 7, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Well, this is certainly not Ed’s message.
radiofreevillage on April 7, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I think Obama just stayed on this trip a few days too long.
We’re all ready to knock him down to size, just because he’s bored us beyond silly now.
He did OK, guys.
I’m convinced he simply plays the role of the naive US president to the hilt. I can’t stand him personally. Such posturing.
Give me an honest, dishonest politician any day.
But that’s my preference.
I’m so done with this. Anyone else even find they got sucked into Michelle’s dress discussions?
:)
AnninCA on April 7, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Euro’s need to follow the Irish Celtic Tiger model.
Once Muslims started flooding their country, they acted immediately and made asylum more difficult. Oddly enough, this coincides with their economic growth, low unemployment, low interest rates and 60% increase in personal wealth.
Why in the world would a country want to accept a failed culture and religion of people, with a horrid 900 year track record is beyond me.
Odie1941 on April 7, 2009 at 3:46 PM
He’ll try and target only friends vice those who would harm us? He’ll target only conservatives who didn’t contribute to his campaign? He’ll target only religious people?
katiejane on April 7, 2009 at 3:46 PM
I reread the post and you’re right (I had previously only read the excerpt from the article). It is definitely an indictment of Obama’s handling of the situation (which seems to be the standard way for this issue to be handled by POTUS) than a post poking fun at Euros not liking Obama.
Considering President Bush couldn’t sneeze without someone getting upset at him, I doubt that he managed to weigh in on this in a way that didn’t raise the ire of Europeans.
JadeNYU on April 7, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Good questions worthy of their own thread. I’ve been wondering the same…
Thanks to you (and Norwegian & mkosin) for the Inside the EU backstory & insider info.
ornery_independent on April 7, 2009 at 3:51 PM
You don’t need to be curious when you’re convinced that your “first-rate intellect” means you already know more than anyone else, and you believe you naturally have “superior judgment” about everything.
AZCoyote on April 7, 2009 at 3:55 PM
do americans now qualify for asylum in foreign countries now? Please say it can be true.
workingforpigs on April 7, 2009 at 4:01 PM
The Obama is very naive!
I heard it best explained a while back. Nations don’t have friends, nations have interests. We cannot be friends with nations, we need to find mutual interests with nations.
jeffn21 on April 7, 2009 at 4:02 PM
I’ve got to admit, I never thought I would see the day when I agreed with the European press more than the American media.
Susanboo on April 7, 2009 at 4:09 PM
He is running for “king of the world”, and if it was up to the American media, he would win in a landslide.
Susanboo on April 7, 2009 at 4:13 PM
I wonder if Obama visited St. Sophia’s while he was in Constantinople?
unclesmrgol on April 7, 2009 at 4:18 PM
That makes it even worse. Forewarned is forearmed. Obama was forewarned and disarmed.
unclesmrgol on April 7, 2009 at 4:21 PM
If some Euro-leader started spouting off about what the US ought to do, I’d be annoyed. So what right does BHO have telling them to accept Turkey into the EU?
jgapinoy on April 7, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Did Bush go to Europe & publicly demand Turkey’s acceptance?
jgapinoy on April 7, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Kind of like campaign donations to Presidential Candidates?
ronsfi on April 7, 2009 at 4:32 PM
And 600 years of bloody, vicious war and invasion. Our “world sophisticate” president apparently forgot that part.
irishspy on April 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Just more of that ‘vast executive experience’ coming out. But cut him some slack. Socialism 101 in college doesn’t cover math, economics or geo-political history.
GarandFan on April 7, 2009 at 4:40 PM
yes. many times.
sesquipedalian on April 7, 2009 at 4:43 PM
i think it should go under “Centuries of shared history.”
sesquipedalian on April 7, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Fixed.
Glenn Jericho on April 7, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Pablum. Mix and match names of countries and continents (like the Prague speech) and it fits.
ddrintn on April 7, 2009 at 4:52 PM
jeffn21 said: “I heard it best explained a while back. Nations don’t have friends, nations have interests. We cannot be friends with nations, we need to find mutual interests with nations.”
That was George Washington’s wisdom to the young America upon leaving office.
How I wish someone like him were our president instead of this poseur we have now!
And will his courtesans continue to hide from him that the people worldwide are coming to see that he’s been found out?
tanarg on April 7, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Anyone seen getalife today? I was wondering what he thought (or was told to think) about today’s Dow.
I’d love to get him on record saying it neither proves nor disproves Obama’s effectiveness.
hawksruleva on April 7, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Sorry, kid, your guy is the empty suit who won 70 percent of high school dropouts in 2008.
And please stop insulting our intelligence by letting the BBC do your thinking for you. They’re as much of a joke as CNN or NPR.
Del Dolemonte on April 7, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Yeah, it was by earlier, gushing over how glorious a success Dear Leader’s trip was.
Del Dolemonte on April 7, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I can’t read all the comments, but I will say that while I see how Obama has made a political mistake, I think it’s ridiculous for Europeans to act like they aren’t always try to get into our business even when it has nothing to do with them. This, to me, just seems to be playing by those same rules.
Esthier on April 7, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I was able to download a snipped of the getalife bot script:
>> IF dow.today > THEN goto random.praise.obama
>> ELSE goto credit.obama.4dow
>> random.praise.obama
>> IF obama.policy = bush.policy
>> THEN credit.obama.4policy
>> ELSE credit.obama.4change
>> ON FAIL goto welldone.president.obama
Doctor Zero on April 7, 2009 at 5:49 PM
RFV, simplistic? Have you not been paying attention to Obama’s simplistic rhetoric concerning nuclear weapons and “hands across the water” diplomacy? It borders on naivete and childishness. And who is this “we” of which you speak? I hope you mean kool-aid liberals like you, because 48% of the country did not support Obama’s precedency, and my feeling is that, rigged polls aside, the figure is higher now. Will there never be buyer’s remorse for this inept, arrogant man-child who has absolutely no idea about protocol and tradition, let alone how to run his own government?
It is laughable that Obama kept “taking world leaders off into corners” to scold them like so many children. If I were one of these folks, I would wonder where such a neophyte gets off lecturing to the rest of the world. Turkey in the EU, indeed. Obama was the only turkey I saw in the EU.
College Prof on April 7, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Did he make any reference to
talking Turkeyspeaking in Turkish?BobMbx on April 7, 2009 at 6:05 PM
I stand corrected…who am I to argue against someone who is so Great.
right2bright on April 7, 2009 at 6:30 PM
radiofreevillage:
Welcome to politics? Please, you are assuming that we are all talking in private here on the internet and there is no way that the Europeans will figure out what we mean, or if they do it is just politics.
So much for hope and change.
Terrye on April 7, 2009 at 6:49 PM
In the same sense that the Russians and Mongols have “centuries of shared history”.
Realist on April 7, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Firstly, the Turks need to figure out if they are Europeans or Muslims.
Secondly, if I remember my readings correctly, the Turkish government is still relatively young with respect to the experience of the elected officials (I’m basing this on their indecisiveness during the Iraq campaigan as to whether or not to allow the U.S. to us Turkish airspace).
Thirdly, why the hell is Obama giving townhall meetings overseas?
madmonkphotog on April 7, 2009 at 7:05 PM
exactly. it’s called diplomacy.
there are european muslims, for good or ill.
he’s the leader of the free world.
sesquipedalian on April 7, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Hehe, you nailed it!
Norwegian on April 7, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Maybe Mr. Teleprompter needs to understand a little more how the Europeans feel…………..
Seven Percent Solution on April 7, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Have ya’ll seen this little ditty?
Barack Obama rejects Normandy trip to avoid offending Germany
vapig on April 7, 2009 at 7:43 PM
He’d catch on fire if he went to a church.
john1schn on April 7, 2009 at 7:45 PM
News2Use on April 7, 2009 at 7:47 PM
And on the subject of neophyte diplomacy, will someone please tell The One that’s it’s f*%$ng rude to point – as he seems wont to do at every speaking opportunity?
Now I’m not a fan of the thumb-point either, but there is acceptable etiquette for making a point without pointing a finger.
Embarrassment.
redfoxbluestate on April 7, 2009 at 7:49 PM
That sounds rather familiar.
“They told me that if I voted for Barry Goldwater, we’d continue to escalate and get bogged down in a big losing war in Vietnam. And they were right!”
MB4 on April 7, 2009 at 7:50 PM
I doubt that the Germans would have been offended. I suspect another motive.
MB4 on April 7, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Did Obama mention that Turkey was originally a great and civilized Empire, the Eastern half of the Christian Church, but that invading Muslim hordes, on May 29, 1453, conquered Constantinople, slaughtered the people, looted the churches, and sold the survivors into slavery if they did not accept forced conversion, took over their lovely land, destroyed most of their holy sites and historical artifacts dating back to to Greco-Roman times, turned the greatest cathedrals into mosques (like Saint Sophia), and have oppressed the Biblically-faithful inhabitants~ who managed to persist~ for the succeeding five plus centuries of intolerant Islamic dominance?
Nah.
profitsbeard on April 7, 2009 at 8:19 PM
OT
Obama’s newest hire
Jamson64 on April 7, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Well, if you believe in freedom, this sucks:
New and worse secrecy and immunity claims from the Obama DOJ
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/06/obama/index.html
getalife on April 7, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Wow Getaclue dared challenge Obama.
Thank god the grownups are in charge.
Jamson64 on April 7, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Obama’s speech writers really lay it on thick; he uses the clumsiest metaphors. Turkey might as well become part of Asia, if a bridge connecting a continent is all that is required. As for any cultural connection, the Ottomans were a sworn enemy of Europe from the crusades up till the Great War. Cyprus and the Armenian genocide — which the Turks will never acknowledge, let alone apologize for — are still sore points among Europeans, particularly Greece.
Most of Europe sees Turkey as a third world country, barely civilized, and it is a country that still debates amongst itself whether it should be more secular as Ataturk saw it or retain its Muslim identity. Turkey is more useful to the west as it is now, as a moderate Muslim country, than as a member of the EU which is facing economic worries. Since Turkey is off the euro, its tourism and trade do very well.
I think our policy of supporting the Turkish bid to join the EU, deny the Armenian genocide, and just suck up to them, so they will continue to be our busboys in the Middle East, is short-sighted and ridiculous. Obama’s comment was just more of the same, except less eloquent, apparently.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 8:53 PM
My Turkish friend laughed when I wouldn’t enter the Blue Mosque, because I would have to hid in the back and wear a veil during prayer services. I said it was just a bunch of blue tiles, the religion doesn’t really appeal to me, and I have gotten plenty of shit my whole life for being a woman. Not on my vacation, thanks.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Did someone just have an epiphany?
Disturb the Universe on April 7, 2009 at 9:04 PM
I was checking if you cons actually believed in freedom and one said it was okay if it keeps him free.
So which is it?
getalife on April 7, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Does this mean the white-guilt vote didn’t count in s-election ‘08?
ex-Democrat on April 7, 2009 at 9:09 PM
If it keeps Americans safe and deters terrorism, then I support it. Libertarian conservatives believe the government is justified in taking measures to ensure national security.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 9:12 PM
No, just trying to turn the topic back to Bush, even if it means elaborating on how Obama is in some ways like Bush. It is okay for “progressives” to criticize Obama, as long as it is first and foremost taking a shot at Bush. Nothing changed.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 9:15 PM
}}} zinggggggggggggggg {{{
hahaha
Now Performing, the Barack Obama World Dhimmi Tour 2009
Watch Barry Give Sinclairs to the Hottest Isslamo Leaders
sheesh.
ex-Democrat on April 7, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Okay. The left is very upset with this issue because if you watched the debate led by Rockefeller, it was nothing but immunity for telcom companies that spied on Americans without a warrant to give them immunity before any court case. Obama voted yes so I knew he would keep this power.
I guess they actually believe in freedom. Personally, I think it is disrespect for those who died for our freedom but that is my opinion.
getalife on April 7, 2009 at 9:19 PM
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I shall call it getanepiphany from now on.
Disturb the Universe on April 7, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Calling him a rookie is way way off the point.
Everything he does is for a purpose.
And whatever the purposes are, you can bet they won’t improve YOUR life.
notagool on April 7, 2009 at 9:20 PM
As much as I would love to peg this on Obama’s ignorance, I can’t help but think that he is actually arrogant enough to force Turkey on the EU… After his bow, I wouldn’t be surprised if Teh One will command the Europeans to admit Saudi Arabia…
Upstater85 on April 7, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I quit caring what the left thinks about telecom immunity, because they allow themselves to be used by Obama and cannot be taken seriously. They will blindly follow him, no matter what he says or takes back or parses. So screw ‘em.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 9:25 PM
You keep repeating that lie, as if it would make it true.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Read the comments:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/7/717546/-More-Immunity-Claims-on-Wiretapping-from-Obama-DOJ
Do cons really believe in freedom?
I don’t think so.
getalife on April 7, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Quit hijacking the thread, if you believe in freedom so much.
chunderroad on April 7, 2009 at 9:37 PM
President TelePrompter’s arrogance plays out on the world stage.
First, he arrogantly tells the GOP “I WON, so I trump you” while pretending to be bipartisan. Next, he arrogantly tries to dimiss Rush, then Sentelli, Wall Street, AIG employees, Bank executives (”my admin is the only thing between you and pitchforks”)…
Wow.
TN Mom on April 7, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Yikes, he’s apologized again!
He skipped Normandy because he didn’t want to offend the Germans. You mean they’re still Nazis?! What an idiot.
Gateway pundit
PattyJ on April 7, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Shouldn’t that be “the 58th state”?
Gohawgs on April 7, 2009 at 10:06 PM
hey, at least he knows Austrian is a language.. ha.
popularpeoplesfront on April 7, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Must be the “typical white person” in him.
Saltysam on April 7, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Discover?! They helped to create it.
Tommy_G on April 7, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Demanded?
Johan Klaus on April 7, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Has it been four years yet?
BillaryMcBush on April 7, 2009 at 11:19 PM
The only that cares, and has ever cared, is Barry and the lunatic fringe. What’s ironic is that Europe doesn’t care about us, nor how we feel about thrm
Fed45 on April 7, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Campaigning for King Of The World.
bloggless on April 7, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Quite honestly, I could give two sh*tz about what Europe thinks of us.
bloggless on April 7, 2009 at 11:38 PM
I wonder if I could hibernate till this is over.
PattyJ on April 8, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Of course not. Only a moron would believe that. Your messiah and his disciples made the outrageous claim that he would elevate America’s standing in the world. Pointing out that your is a foreign policy neophyte whose fallen flat on his face is far from being hypocritical.
Yet another BS excuse from the leftards. You put this embarrassment in office. You own it, you pay for it.
jdkchem on April 8, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Arrogant Imperialist!
hillbillyjim on April 8, 2009 at 12:46 AM
No , Sherlock…there’s that whole European section of Turkey on the other side of those bridges.
Obamateurism?
James on April 8, 2009 at 2:31 AM
Hmm…that was supposed to be, ‘No (ahem), Sherlock.’
James on April 8, 2009 at 2:31 AM
I cannot believe what Barack Obama has just said. The man’s arrogance is totally astonishing.
I’m in the UK. That means I’m part of the EU. Most of us in the UK dislike the EU because it is a corrupt, foolish coalition loosely bound together by completely fabricated ‘values.’ In the current economic crisis its beginning to unravel poltically and financially, and some of us are quite pleased it is. Count me as one of them.
Turkey is as far removed from the history and culture of Europe as I can think. They are Muslim, they have committed appalling atrocities that they have even now failed to acknowledge, and up until recently torture and oppression were commonplace. Furthermore, a rising tide of Islamic politics is building up in Turkey, threatening to replace its current uneasy secular political landscape.
Question for Obama: why in God’s name would anyone want to attach themeselves to an Islamic timebomb such as Turkey? Let me put it another way: would you want Turkey as a new state of America, where the residents could move freely into the US unchallenged and without inhibition? Because that is exactly what membership of the EU would provide them with. Members of the EU can move to any country in its artificial borders and take up work anywhere, claim benefits anywhere, without being able to remove them or deport them. In effect, they become your ‘citizens,’ and if they happen to be murderous Islamists there is nothing you can do about it. Also, you can’t stop them from entering if they are known criminals or rapists or murderers. Open borders between the EU nations is sacrosanct.
Pardon my French, but Barack Obama can KISS MY RINGPIECE AND FUCK RIGHT OFF.
dcpolwarth on April 8, 2009 at 5:08 AM
FITB. -> Fill in the blank.
BKennedy on April 8, 2009 at 6:25 AM
Europeans finally discover Obama’s arrogance. They’ve always been a bit slow.
DannoJyd on April 8, 2009 at 6:38 AM
Well, he made a serious mistake by now taking the time to learn and speak Austrian…
He is worse then a rookie, he is an apprentice without a journeyman to teach him.
A rookie would show that he has some experience, and that his is his “coming out” debut.
But a beginning apprentice is someone who has no knowledge and needs to be trained and taught…he has no knowledge of international politics.
He is making a mess…I guess his “they will love me” dream has faded…
right2bright on April 7, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Could someone tell that pompous (no offense to Rush) tool that the THIRD language spoken in the world actually is Spanish?
ProudPalinFan on April 8, 2009 at 7:23 AM
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