Newt Gingrich Rips Obama for Making Lovey Dovey With Hugh Chavez
President Barack Obama and Hugh Chavez extending each other a hand and photo op at this weekend’s Latin American summit
Chavez has been one of the harshest critics of the United States in that part of the world. Obama said at the conclusion of the Latin summit Sunday that he didn’t think greeting Chavez would be “endangering the strategic interests of the United States.”
Gingrich complained that the simple act of a smiling Obama shaking Chavez’s hand caused a book Chavez has written to skyrocket on the best-seller lists in the United States.
“What I find distressing,” he said, “is that the administration opposes opening up oil exploration,” but yet Obama has “bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia” and now reached out to Chavez, whom Gingrich said has been conducting “a vicious anti-American campaign.”
Gingrich, whose name has been mentioned in 2012 presidential speculation, said, “How do you mend relationships with someone who actively hates your country. … “
“Cuba releases zero prisoners,” he said, “yet we make nice with Cuba. I’m for doing things methodically and calmly … things that will work, but I’m not for deluding myself about smiles and words.”
Fantasy land world for Obama….
Hugs and exchanging books will not change the policy of these American hating dictators.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Hugo Chavez, Newt Gingrich
5 Comments
Brenda
You’re right about hugs and exchanging books not changing the policy – but it does open dialogue through which change can occur. At the least, we are showing wiliness which will go a long way in our foreign relations with the rest of the world.
Flap
It is symbolism over substance – just like Jimmy Carter.
Brenda
It is symbolism but hopfully it turns into substance. It’s early days yet.
I’m going to enjoy reading your posts 🙂
Bob
One thing is sure – it’s interesting to see. Maybe it’s only show, but sometimes that’s how everything starts.
cany
The noise over a handshake is, actually, ridiculous. What was Obama to do?
Obama’s style of politics is very different than that of his predecessor, no question.
I can only hope that talking and trying to initiate meaningful dialogue–which begins with being polite–has results. If it doesn’t, nothing lost.