IF YOUR REPORTING MAKES THE CASE...:

President Obama's trip: Style over substance (MIKE ALLEN, 11/19/09, Politico)

Obama’s minimalist approach was most consequential in China, where he did not meet with Christians, dissidents or bloggers, or directly challenge his hosts for repressive tactics that are again on the rise.

The Chinese in turn rebuffed longstanding U.S. concerns – whether on human rights, Iran or currency policy – in a heavily stage-managed visit where China, not Obama, clearly sought the upper hand.

It’s an approach that carries great risk for Obama – playing straight into his critics’ accusations that his new, more multilateral style isn’t paying dividends, and worse, is making him look weak and ineffectual abroad.

...then why are they critics accusations rather than facts?

MORE:
Just friends: President Obama’s Asia agenda steered clear of any tough talk on human rights abuses | Jamie Dean, World)

If Obama went to Asia to be friendly, he didn’t disappoint. After breaking protocol with an awkward bow to the emperor of Japan, the president yielded in China: Obama steered clear of any public remarks aimed at rebuking Chinese officials for their terrible human rights record. Administration officials reportedly said the president spoke with President Hu in private about conditions for dissidents, but Obama didn’t meet publicly with any group facing government repression, including Christians or independent journalists.

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Posted by Orrin Judd at November 20, 2009 6:11 AM