The New York times deposits a story today titled “Pressure Rising as Obama Works to Rein In Russia“.   The generally sympathetic article toward Obama is being cited by numerous politicos while the left-leaning media are circling an almost bizarre wagon to prop up the perception of Obama as strong.

Maya_Angelou_Obama_600MSNBC’s Mark Halperin is winning so far in the over-the-top water carrying category by stating that Ronald Reagan never faced a Russian adversary as strong as Russia’s President Putin:

The political analyst and author also cited a New York Times report published Sunday that said in her call with President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised doubts about Putin being in touch with reality, saying he is “in another world.”  Halperin called it “the scariest thing I’ve seen in the last 24 hours.”

“President [Ronald] Reagan never faced a Soviet leader like this. This guy is ruthless,” Halperin added.  (link)

{ Slobber – DRINK – Slobber }

However, what Mark Halperin, and the rest of the media, fail to see in the Times article is the evidence it holds for the ineptitude of the White House. 

President Barack Obama hosts a working dinner in Laurel Cabin during the G8 Summit at Camp David, Md., May 18, 2012. Seated clockwise from the President are: Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan, Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, and President François Hollande of France.
President Barack Obama hosts a working dinner in Laurel Cabin during the G8 Summit at Camp David, Md., May 18, 2012. Seated clockwise from the President are: Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan, Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, and President François Hollande of France.

Halperin notes the comment from Merkel about Putin – yet he never stops to ask himself: should the White House be leaking to the media the comments of Germany’s head of state in regard to the perception of the current crisis creator.   Think about it?

Here’s the paragraph as an example:

The Russian occupation of Crimea has challenged Mr. Obama as has no other international crisis, and at its heart, the advice seemed to pose the same question: Is Mr. Obama tough enough to take on the former K.G.B. colonel in the Kremlin? It is no easy task. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany told Mr. Obama by telephone on Sunday that after speaking with Mr. Putin she was not sure he was in touch with reality, people briefed on the call said. “In another world,” she said.  (link)

Why is the New York Times being told the personal opinion of Chancellor Merkel regarding the Ukrainian crisis and psychological behavior of Vladimir Putin?   Did they check with Merkel first ?  Did they consider that Secretary Kerry is arriving in Ukraine tomorrow ?   Did they think about how Putin would receive such disparagement?

This is nothing but inept High School diplomacy, where we point out the opinion of other popular kids -as they review troublemakers- in an immature effort toward bolstering our own peer image.

The only thing this approach reflects is a profound stupidity, yes – stupidity, on behalf of the international leader, President Obama, trying to form a coalition and address a crisis while shooting his hopes at influence with his administration’s mouth.

The U.S. and our allies fear a military outcome.   All viewers admit we are at a dangerous crossroad;  yet no-one in the administration is mature enough to tell those being briefed that disparaging Putin with attacks against his stability will only serve to put him in a position where he has more motivation to prove his resolve.   Really?

Obviously not in this White House – more than likely Denis McDonough, the most probable root of the leak, doesn’t even connect the dots nor understand a basic principle of crisis avoidance:

Namely,….  Do not create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

putin obama

Or, in more mainstream linguistics – Don’t poke the bear !

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