This breath of fresh air has a familiar whiff to it
So I see that President-elect Barack Obama has been meeting and greeting pundits and columnists from across the political spectrum. While what was said was off the record, Andrew Sullivan does blog his own impressions of his conversation with Obama: [I]t’s hard to express the relief I feel that this man will be the president ...
So I see that President-elect Barack Obama has been meeting and greeting pundits and columnists from across the political spectrum.
So I see that President-elect Barack Obama has been meeting and greeting pundits and columnists from across the political spectrum.
While what was said was off the record, Andrew Sullivan does blog his own impressions of his conversation with Obama:
[I]t’s hard to express the relief I feel that this man will be the president soon. I realize that’s what I feel above all else: relief.
I may disagree with him at times, and criticize him at times, but his great gift is showing that he does not expect people to change their convictions in order to find common areas of agreement.
Stipulating that I’m probably looking forward to the transition as much as the next guy, this kind of statement has a familiar ring to it.
I remember where I was at the last presidential transition — working at the U.S. Treasury. And what was interesting was that, despite the fact that Treasury had done very well under the Clinton administration in general and Larry Summers in particular, there really was a feeling of anticipation about Bush taking over.
Why? Because after eight years of one administration, even the stuff that used to seem endearing becomes annoying. The Clinton staffers chronic lateness to meetings, for example, drove the Treasury people batty. They welcomed a the more orderly schedule of the Bushies — right up until the moment they started f%$#ing up policy.
My point is not to say that Obama is going to be like George W. Bush. My point is that, until he starts accumulating a record as president, one should take these platitudes with more than a pinch of salt. [And here I thought your point was that you were bitter that you haven’t been asked to meet and greet Obama!–ed.]
Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner
More from Foreign Policy
Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.
The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.
Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.
How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
